As a candidate for U.S. representative of the 4th District in Texas, Catherine Krantz dropped by Texarkana on Saturday to say that improving technical infrastructure is her primary concern.
"There is a lot of work to be done in rural Texas, because there is poverty, and there aren't enough jobs," said Krantz, a Democrat. "Today, we have kids doing their homework in the library parking lots. This is because our technical infrastructure (rural internet) needs work, and that is my primary concern."
Krantz said she also believes in universal health care.
"If you get bit by a poisonous snake, it would cost $50,000 for health care," she said.
"I also believe in fighting for Social Security protection, and I also see the benefits in the use of marijuana medical aid in relieving pain and managing post-traumatic stress disorder."
The Emory, Texas, native added that she supports abortion rights and believes in debt-free college, getting "big money" out of politics and ending income inequality. She also wants to see more reform in the criminal justice system.
"We need to take a long, hard look at our criminal justice system, because the more money a person makes, the better the criminal justice system treats them," she said. "I'm also running because I don't think that I'm corruptible, and that's because I'm not very interested in money at all."
Krantz said she is interested in economic development through small-business expansion and capital financing of such businesses.
"I come to this job as a nonprofessional politician," she said. "Here (in Texarkana) there are just a handful of major employers. We need to focus more on developing tourism and green technology-and small businesses are the best way to go."