Texas State Rep. Mihaela Plesa said she ran for office after noticing changes in the state, using her legislative experience to win a competitive race in Collin County, and that districts are to be won on policy, not money. Plesa was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.

“When I kind of saw all that, our state was very different from what I knew it to be," said Plesa on a recent edition of the Texas Talks Podcast. “Being a native Texan, I decided to run for office. I actually worked in the legislature for six years before deciding to run for office. I was a legislative staffer working for amazing members out of Dallas County, Harris County, and Bexar County.”

“In 2022, a new district was drawn in Collin County, and it just happened to be the most competitive seat of that cycle," said Plesa. “It also happened to be the most expensive seat of that cycle—four million dollars my opponent put into the race. We showed that these districts can't be bought, that it's got to be about policy, what you're running on, and what you're willing to do for your community. So I'm just really, really proud to be able to serve.”

Plesa is the first Democratic woman and first Romanian American elected to represent Texas House District 70 in Collin County. She has a record of bipartisan legislative achievements, including expanding maternal health services and securing property tax exemptions for Gold Star families. Her current priorities include increasing public school funding, reducing property taxes, and supporting small businesses.

Texas Talks podcast is hosted by Brad Swail. The weekly show is focused on public policy in the state of Texas, with insights from the people and organizations that influence it.

The podcast is available on Simple Cast and YouTube.