Representative Ina Minjarez, Hosted by Lauren Mandel

Please note this episode was recorded in October 2020 and is now posted in loving memory of Rep. Minjarez's Golden "Pino."

Welcome to Season Two of the Pink Granite Podcast!

In this episode, Texas State Representative Ina Minjarez talks with her good friend and politico Lauren Mandel all about why she got into politics and how losing her first race taught her to be a better leader.  This episode also uncovers the Representative's back up dream career as a Peloton instructor and love of 90's rap music.

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Thank you for listening!

Guest:  Representative Ina Minjarez
Host: Lauren Mandel
Editing: Amy Whited
Music:  "Only the Brave Run Wild" Sounds Like Sander
Voice Talent:  Sarah Keats
Executive Producer: Amy Whited

Transcript

Lauren Mandel: 0:25

Hi Pink Granite listeners. My name is Lauren Mendel. I am here today with State Representative Ina Minjarez, a dear dear friend of mine and an elected official who represents all the things that are good in politics representative before we start, I'm going to go ahead and read your bio and maybe embarrass you a little bit and we will go from there. So representative Ina Minjarez was elected to serve the constituents of Texas House District 124. After a special election victory in April 2015. For the 86th legislative session, she was appointed to the House Committee on Appropriations. She oversees natural resources, business and economic development as well as regulatory agencies on that committee and she is a know how when it comes to transportation, and pretty much any policy issue she's dealt in and she's was actually recently selected to be part of the very first criminal justice reform caucus. So I know she's been working on that. In the interim. During the 86 legislative session, she successfully helped pass legislation that actively assists vulnerable citizens pertaining to opioid and substance abuse, foster care, theft, cybersecurity and direct access to physical therapy services. Furthermore, she successfully co sponsored legislation that enhances public school education, supports transportation initiatives, and assist victims of sexual assault. During the 85th legislative session. She was named Rookie of the Year by Texas Monthly and received a certificate of appreciation from the Department of Defense for her support of military service members in the legislature. She's also won countless other awards for all of her work. In the legislature, Ina was born and raised in El Paso by two hard working parents. Her background is deeply rooted in the fight for social justice. From an early age they she and her sister were taught that hard work and education were the keys to opportunity. She attended the University of Notre Dame for her undergraduate degree and attended St. Mary's law school here in San Antonio, where she has been a practicing attorney ever since. Representative Minjarez is married to her husband Leo. They she has two wonderful stepchildren. She is a runner and has run multiple marathons and is a badass, but most importantly, she has three dogs. Pino, Pepe and Lily on and one of the reasons why you and I bonded representatives is because we both have Golden Retrievers old Golden Retrievers, and, and you know, I call you "golden" all the time. And I think we should just take a second to just maybe one minute to talk about our love of golden retrievers, so people can really know who we are.

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 3:31

Well, I think Golden Retrievers are just symbolic of all that is good in the world. And all that is happy and it is true, my friend, that's when we we really bonded talking about our our Golden's my Pino, I you know, she's gonna be 14 next month. She's She's aged quite a bit, but she's been with me through the best of times for the worst of times. And she's just a really, she's a shining spot in my life. And I mean, you know, my dear friend, representative, Steve Alison, and he has a golden. I told him that, you know, I knew he was good people. He told me he had a golden retriever.

Lauren Mandel: 4:10

That's exactly, representative Allison's my state rep. And I said, well, anybody who has a golden retriever, I mean, regardless of politics, how can you not support them? But it's the thing we share, and I love that. And I always like to say that you and Representative Allison are like Golden Retrievers, and people form because you're so warm and caring, but you're, you'll mess up the people who you're loyal. And you represent your constituents and your friends and your family, you know, to the highest order and goldens are a lot like that to you don't mess with their people.

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 4:49

That's exactly right. And I think, you know, I think it's just telling I think, you know, Golden Retrievers have a beautiful soul and you're right, they're completely loyal. But when you mess with something, if you mess with them or someone or something they love, they will show that side to them that, uh, that very protective dominant side. And yeah, they're just the best ever. They're the best.

Lauren Mandel: 5:12

And I think that's a great segue to begin our interview, thank you so much for being here. And doing this with us. I know that your schedule is crazy. And we're just so excited to have you.

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 5:23

I'm happy to be here. And the best part of it is being able to do this with you, Lauren, we've, we've been friends for a while. And when I met you, and I probably like the second year, I think I was an elected representative. And, and, you know, this is this is fun, and I'm glad to just enjoy the time with you.

Lauren Mandel: 5:39

I know me too. It's so great. I wish we were together in person, maybe next time next time. So let's go ahead and get started. Um, I want to just start kind of in a different way than I had originally thought about. And that's with by talking about justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who's recently passed away, I think women on all sides of the aisle with all ideologues, you know, no matter what they believe in, have really struggled with her passing. So I just wanted to start by asking, how has it affected you personally, as well as professionally?

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 6:16

Well, let me start with something that was just very weird. A couple of days before she passed, I had just woken up. And for some reason, I was thinking about how I wanted, you know, to change up my my capital office and thinking, what kind of prints? And what kind of style and motif did I want to do for this coming session? And so I woke up, you know, that morning, and I thought, you know, I think I want to do prints of a really strong women that have just had an impact on my life, I think on the country. And I was thinking, maybe, you know, Barbara Jordan, Ann Richards and I really sat there and thought about it and thought about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And so that morning, I ordered two prints. And I think one of them had one of her quotes that talked about, you know, if you want to be the leader, the most important thing and I'm not saying it verbatim, the most important thing is that you do it in a way that people want to follow you. And and I think that really speaks to a lesson that I learned the importance of having that mindset, because you've got to bring people different Coalition's people that may not agree with you, but maybe if there is something a common good, you've got to bring them along, and find a way to do that. And so I have bought that print, to print. And then you know, a couple days later, she passed away, and I, I just recall being in denial, first and shock, and then, of course, the sadness set in because, you know, she's one of the reasons that I decided to get a law degree and be a lawyer. And because of her, I was, first of all able to go to law school I was, I was able to do things that historically before had not been an opportunity for women. You know, having a credit card in my name, leasing an apartment in my name, not needing to do it in my husband's, you know, name or, you know, she really was a force and because of her, she, she broke many ceilings for women everywhere. And so it's been a it's been a really tough loss. You know, she's just incredibly, incredibly intelligent, and she's left an imprint in this country, that will remain forever. And what I will say too, is I really loved her documentary where it talked about her friendship, her real close friendship with Justice Scalia, her her two polar opposites. But the best of friends, and I love that about her, I love that, you know, you could be different from somebody, but you can be the best of friends and she just had so many lessons to teach.

Lauren Mandel: 8:58

I couldn't agree with you more. And in this time of such divide, you know, coming up on a presidential election, to see people from all walks of life come together, come together to mourn this. One woman has really kind of been inspiring for me, and I know you'd probably agree with it, as well, especially because you are, in my opinion, one of the most bipartisan representatives in the house today. It's one of my favorite things about you. You're a favorite of both Democrats and Republicans. How have you been able to achieve this level of bipartisanship in these incredibly partisan times?

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 9:41

When I got to the house, what I loved about getting there was I noticed that you know, although we may disagree on social issues, we are very much a family because we spend so much time together during session. And and really we we really do have a desire to serve We have that in common that we're doing this because we care about public service. And I did not come in thinking, you know, I was not going to come in with a mindset of, you know what, we're two different parties. So I'm just going to stick to my own kind. I didn't believe in that I I've always believed in maintain, you know, developing and culturing different relationships. I think that's, that's so key. I was like that I think about it now is like that in, in elementary school and middle school, I was never very cliquish. I just try to be friends with everybody. And I've learned a lot of things that way. And I've learned different perspectives. And, you know, I think about, you know, former speaker, former speaker, Joe Straus, he gave me so many opportunities, and here I am a member of the opposing party, and he didn't look at me in that way. And, and I think, because I cultivated a relationship with him, and he knew that I was a hard worker, and I was about getting things done. And, and, and being a team player, I wasn't there to throw bombs and obstruct, you know, the work that we needed to get done, you know, was about I was about solidarity. And I think he understood what my leadership capabilities were, and where my heart truly lied, and, and he gave me incredible opportunities that I don't think I ever would have gotten otherwise, I just think that, you know, we're serving the public, and we all need to work together.

Lauren Mandel: 11:29

Absolutely. And you are of that Straus-ian, you know, elected official type that really just says, I'm here to work, I'll talk to whomever. You know, my boss is a republican county commissioner, and you guys have gotten a lot accomplished together. And I really, so admire that about you. And I'm glad we've had the chance to highlight it today. All right, so let's pivot. You're a state representative, how would you describe that job or role? to somebody who's on a different planet? It has never heard of state reps? Or the legislature? How would you describe it?

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 12:07

That's a really good question. I think, you know, I think it's, you're a voice for the voiceless, you know, you have to have aware with all to develop strategy. You've got to figure out what is the goal that you want to attain? And, and, and, and, you know, carry a policy, carry a goal and get it done? I think it's, it's really, it's all in the key word of representative, you're representing either a person you're representing a family, you're representing a community, and you are carrying out those wishes of that community. And so that's a really good question. I would just say you are just being the voice of the voiceless.

Lauren Mandel: 12:58

So you heard it here. First, aliens. If you're tuning in, from some alternate universe, this is what it means to be a state rep right from the source. Representative, how did you get into politics? What drew you to this kind of career?

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 13:16

I never saw this coming. I wasn't born into a political family. I think on my whole family, I'm the first to hold elected office. You know, my mom was not a fan. She didn't want me to run she, she loves to watch politics. She loves to watch CNN, she she loves to watch debates, that she never wanted me to get into it, because she felt it was just, you know, there's a dirty sides to politics, right. And she just worried that it was something she didn't want me to do. But the story that I relate to people in my mom, she didn't graduate high school, she has an eighth grade education. Later on, got her GED, but she's a reader and she loves she loves reading all the time. And she loves learning and for me and my sister were we wanted to go outside and play with the neighborhood kids she she wouldn't let us she would have us watching the news. You know, here I am a little kid and a lot of the news is going over my head but she wanted me to know about current events she would have me read books and do book reports and you know, copy words out of the dictionary and make sentences out of those vocabulary words and I remember like vividly when summer she had me watching the Iran Contra affair hearings on c span and I had no idea I still remember Oliver North I remember it all and not understanding one thing. But I think I started even though the material was over my head and I knew who those people were and who they were by name. And that you know, it just evolved over time and then I got an interest in what was going on right Our state in our country. And, you know, an opportunity came where I am an I am a lawyer. I'm a former prosecutor, I at one point had my private practice. I've done a lot of extensive cases in criminal law and labor law. I've represented children in the Child Protective Services system. Also parents that were, you know, facing termination of their parental rights. I've done a little bit of everything represented businesses. And when this opportunity came in, I thought, well, heck, I've litigated since I got my law degree, every day in the courts.

Lauren Mandel: 15:35

My guess is you were doing litigation before you got your law degree, because it's just who you are as a person. every conversation was an opportunity, right?

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 15:43

And that's why my mom says I would fight with her or in everything when I was little, I'd question everything and just debater and she knew this one's going to be a lawyer. But you know, I decided, you know, if I can litigate in the courts, I can litigate at the Capitol, I'm not going to make the policy right. And so an opportunity came and I just, you know, took a leap of faith, and then it worked out.

Lauren Mandel: 16:05

Absolutely. And I love that a litigator from birth, I'm sure your mom is gonna listen to this and be like, I told you, you know, you've had so many successes in your career, both before you were elected. And since you've been in the legislature, I'm going to kind of flip the switch on that. Can you tell me about a career failure that greatly influenced you and really kind of pivoted the way you do business?

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 16:36

Sure. You know, just as I've had many successes I've had, of course, I've had my failures. And it's it's a matter of trying to learn from those failures, right. And so before I had run, what I was a practicing attorney. And really my goal in life, since I was little was I thought I wanted to be a judge. I wanted to be a sitting judge on a bench. And when my first run for a county court bench, I want to say maybe that was like 2006, I think and I went up against at the time a 20 year incumbent, not knowing anything about campaigning, not knowing how you raise money, how do you put a campaign together, really naive to politics, you know, I had just lost that race, but like seven tenths of a percent, it was so close. And so I was going to do it again, here, I am going to do it in four years, I'm just going to go ahead and get more experience in other areas of the law, I'll get, you know, this time, I'll be ahead, I will get be fully prepared. And had everything you know, in terms of my strategy in place, and ran again for the same seat, and it was an open seat and open bench in 2010. And that was, you know, that was a lesson for me because no matter how hard I tried, I got all the endorsements, I had the right team. That was a, I was a victim of the red wave that came in into Texas, I just took out all the democrats even if you were a sitting elected official, if you were on the ballot at that time, you were gone. And I at first I took that as how unfair that was. And I felt, I really felt like a failure because I went to law school. You know, this was my dream. And just felt, I took it personally, that loss, it was really, really tough. And I thought I don't want to have anything to do with politics. I'm not doing this again. And, you know, after some time to heal, and after a couple years, I needed to I needed to mature and understand that was beyond my control. And sometimes there are some forces in nature that are at play. And maybe that wasn't right. For me at the time, I kind of have a I have a belief system, and I have a lot of faith. And I think I think it wasn't for me that there was something bigger and I'm not trying to sound hokey. But I truly believe that now that I was meant for something else. And so I learned not to not to be a bad loser. I learned to embrace when life throws you some curveballs and and then here we are. So you can't take the loss. Personally, and you can't make it about being such a failure that you fail at life. You got to change your mindset and think of it as like a challenge and just, you know, get over that mountain and find another direction and find where you find some success somewhere else.

Lauren Mandel: 20:02

And so much about politics is timing right, either. I mean, as an elected official, like you are somebody like me, who is, you know, plays a support role for an elected official, so much of it is out of your control, because it's just timing. And when you lost that race, you know, the red wave probably had a lot to do with that. And at the time, I can only imagine how devastating that must have been. That was, and you had no control over that.

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 20:40

Right. And the neat thing about it is when I mentioned I had a different plan, I had gotten all the endorsements. Well, little did I know, I had already laid my groundwork for the future when I ran for state rep, because I had already known who the people, the players and the organizations were, that were gonna be instrumental in me running for state rep.

Lauren Mandel: 21:03

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. And so you and I, like you said, have been friends for a long time, you're somebody I view as one of my mentors, because you're open and you're honest. And I, whenever I'm with you, I just try to be like a sponge and soak up, you know, whatever you're providing me and depending on the day, who knows what it could be? Who were some of your mentor mentors, and why have they been so influential? And I know, you know, this Pink Granite is focused on women, but I know that there have been some men in your life who have been incredibly supportive of your journey, and other women who, you know, they've come across.

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 21:48

It's Yeah, you know, definitely I wouldn't be able to do this without my husband being all in you know, when you run for public office, you run as a family. And he has been incredibly supportive at times, when I've doubted myself when I felt you know, public service is hard, as much as I want to talk about how great it is. It has its moments it has its its highs, and it has its incredible lows, and he would always tell me, you know, Have some faith in yourself. And he would be that support system and, or I would get angry at something or not know how to handle a search situation. I respect what he's done in his life. And he has, he has incredible leadership skills. And he has, I mean, an amazing skill set to deal with people. He's a very, he's a people person. And his way of thinking, he reads leadership books all the time. So I look to Him, when I feel like I need to be set straight. Or I need to, or I need to bounce off ideas. And I even though sometimes it may not be something I want to hear, I value his advice, because he tends to steer me in the right direction. You know, I look at Leticia Van de Putte was she, she reached out when I when I won my initial special election, when I needed to talk to her about her perspective, as an ally as a female elected official and what she's been through when she ran for the Senate, you know, and she's been there also, when I've needed a pep talk or two. And then, let's see, you know, there's just members of the business community, I love to sometimes, you know, talk to Louis Barrios about what's going on with me and, you know, just electeds that I work with that have been, you know, in the house longer than I have. So, it's just a number of people. That's why I say it's so important to have a wide network. Everybody has special talents, everybody has different perspectives. And, you know, I just choose who I want to talk to, if it's a particular issue, but really in terms of just life in general. I'm really lucky to have my husband and the fact that he he was he reminds me of Ruth Bader Ginsburg husband. You know what he did to get her her federal benches and then ultimately get her on the Supreme Court? That's what I think of Leo in terms of how he has guided me and helped me get to where I am.

Lauren Mandel: 24:23

Well, let's give Leo a shout out right now. Thank you Leo. For all you do to help the representative be successful. The State of Texas is so grateful for your sacrifice because we know that it's you know, for the spouses you guys are in Austin and plus he watches Pino

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 24:40

Yeah, he's you know, he's the dog sitter. So aside from Pino, I've got two other dogs. So he's got a he's got a hold down the fort and take care of the dogs and I'm gone.

Lauren Mandel: 24:50

I know. He's the best. So Leo, we salute you. We salute you and kind of on the topic of mentorship You know, pink granite is about bringing women together from all sides of the aisle, whether they want to be elected officials or just work in the political realm. What is your advice for young women who are looking to break into this world, either as somebody who runs for office one day, or somebody, you know, like me who has a chief of staff type role, or even somebody who wants to get into government relations or lobbying,

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 25:22

I love this is why I love pink granite. Because even though maybe I'm an elected official, I do get to witness. So many women who are in governmental affairs are in the lobby when I'm at the state capitol. And I do see a disparity, I wish I could see more women in those areas in those fields. And they and you know, they, they have their own challenges. You know, the, the, the Texas capital, as you know, has been a good old boy system for a very long time, but things are changing, and things are evolving, and, and, you know, like everything else, it takes courage, what you've got to not be afraid of challenges, and and don't let the fear overcome you that you feel while I should wait. And you start doubting yourself and you start doubting your talents, and you doubt whether you're smart enough, and you doubt, you know, you just think more about the negatives, right. And so I think one of the things is really being fearless and having confidence in yourself. And the second thing, you've got to find support or network of mentors, and and, you know, it doesn't necessarily have to be just women, you know, there are there are male allies out there that are in the industry, or an elected elected office that do support and lift up women, right, that they want to see women succeed. And it's so I think critical, because you can't do it alone. I can't imagine doing this type of work and not having, like I said, my husband not having the incredible, incredible team I have I have a you know, Chief of Staff who's who's incredibly smart, who's strong, who's wonderful lifts me up, I've got members of my staff that are the same way and you know, you you cannot do it alone. And and and it's okay to acknowledge you can't do it alone. I think sometimes women want to feel like I'm strong, I don't need anybody, I can do this on my own, and that can be a detriment. So just have your, your, your network of support. And again, build up that confidence and go after what you want. And always understand you need to be learning, whatever field you're in, you need to be constantly taking initiative to learn, learn different, you know, leadership styles, you know, talk to people in the field or related fields. Learn and that's what better is your craft, because you have to constantly always be bettering yourself.

Lauren Mandel: 27:57

Absolutely. I couldn't agree more with everything you said. And I hope all the young women out there are listening. I mean, Representative has, you know, walked the path and taking all the help you can get in asking more importantly, having the courage to ask for help, because it does take courage to say I can't do this on my own. You know, I don't know how will you guide me and I think a lot of young women, I certainly felt this way when I was younger, I struggle with that. And I almost want to shake my younger self and say ask for help. You don't have to do it on your own. So hopefully women can hear what you've said and you know, really take that to heart. Okay, I'm going to switch gears on you. Okay, what's in your work bag,

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 28:41

my work bag. So I have an interesting work bag. I knew I have a backpack First of all, and the reason why I have a backpack is because I have not just my my Mac computer. I also keep my workout stuff in there. So I've got things like I've got like my resistance bands in there. I've got band aids, because when I'm lifting weights, I'll always cut myself somehow. I've got bengay in there. guys got my electrolyte tablets. And then I've got folders like folders for you know pieces of legislation that I do research on. So it's a bag of all tricks.

Lauren Mandel: 29:24

I bet you have a siesta metal in there as well, I'm sure find random Fiesta metals, like out of very pure Oh San Antonio,

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 29:34

I found a water burger, Fiesta metal and my car from like, you know, three years ago.

Lauren Mandel: 29:39

Well, that's the ultimate San Antonio. I mean, that's, that's the ultimate. You really do find a way to incorporate, you know, running and staying healthy and being fit with what you do in the legislature and you know in some of your volunteer efforts Can you just talk super quickly about how important an active lifestyle is to you and how it helps you stay sane. You know, when the legislative session is in full gear, and you haven't slept in four days, and you know, you're not going to get to sleep for another four, because I know running is so important to you. And it's such a huge part of who you are.

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 30:22

Oh, it is I, you know, I've been a runner for, I want to say maybe I started my marathon running in 2010. I wish I had started earlier. I for some reason, just got into it. And then really just did it all out and did marathons, you know, all over the country when I had the time and, but just realize, I know, for myself, the importance of taking care of my health, and I need to take care of myself mentally and emotionally, too, because this can be very draining, you know, life in general. And I just know, if I do not exercise, if I don't take time out for myself, I cannot be productive, and I cannot take care of the district I serve. I just I'm not productive. I don't do well. It's just what I need. It's my emotional release, right. And so one of the things that I learned during my time as a state rep is, I still haven't found the balance. And I tell people, I'm going to stop telling people I balanced life. So well, I found the balance there. There's no such thing. I try to do the best

Lauren Mandel: 31:28

So what do you think balance is? What is that? that I can. And what I what I've understood is, you know what, you have to be on a very regimented schedule. And so for myself, what works for me, I'm up at 430 in the morning, and I just I'm better, I'm productive in the mornings, right? So I'm let that 430 to do a little bit of work. I'm exercising by six in the morning. Get that out of the way and whether it's running, whether it's my peloton bike or orangetheory. And then you know, I'm done with my workout and I get ready and I'm out the door. My endorphins are an all high, so I'm ready for my meetings. But I have to be in bed by nine o'clock. Yeah. Yeah. And so that's just I have to live on a schedule. Now when I'm in session, and I can't be in bed by nine o'clock, we're working all hours a night, I'm gonna have to find a way and tell my staff like, I'm gonna have to find that hour somehow to go exercise and it's just If I don't take care of me, I can't again, I can't be successful, I can't be productive. I can't, I can't take care of the district. And I and I've come to understand that that's okay. To give myself that hour. I used to feel really guilty about it. But, you know, I'm going to be a little selfish and that's what I need to do to be okay. And I but for me, it's just important to be healthy and to take care of you. So my next question, if you weren't a state rep or an attorney, would you be like a personal trainer? And if not, what would you be?

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 33:06

You know what I would love to be I would love to be a peloton. Bike instructor, right? Oh, I love I love them. I got my peloton in March. And I it's like, I feel like I'm a stalker. I have my favorite instructors. They all have their own Instagrams and their own Facebook's and they to me, you know, they they have their own different styles. They give you motivation through the bike ride, but it's neat, because they they live that life. They look incredible, right. But they also you know, they, they sell products, they have their own TV shows, they, you know, they have a whole spectrum of stuff that they do, but I just think what an incredible life. So I'd probably what I would want to do,

Lauren Mandel: 33:52

I could see it too. I could see it too. All right. So to piggyback on that, what playlist would you play? If you were leading a ride?

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 34:01

Oh, what do you think? What kind of music do you think I like? I probably shock you.

Lauren Mandel: 34:07

Well, I think you're like me, I think you've listened to everything I did. It just depends on your day in your mood. What I don't know is what music really hypes you up. Like there's a difference between listening to something in your car and listening to something as you're getting ready to work out. Because most people I think you're an exception, don't like working out and would rather almost do anything else. So you really have to get you know, you like for me, I like to listen to AC DC and like all those 80s rock bands to really get me moving. I could see you doing that, but I could also see some 90s rap as being your jam.

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 34:46

Yeah, you got that. Yeah, I love 90s rap I love like east coast. You know, like the East Coast. West Coast. Yeah, it was my college thing when they had that. That big old divide of like, Notorious BIG versus like 2PAC. The music was incredible. The music was incredible. So I love that era. I love that like gangster rap. I love the 80s I love the 80s you have no idea just straight pop from the 80s is it's awesome. Always the way to go. Right? And then I have you know, also like black Latino, like Latino kind of techno club music too. I love that. But I love everything. I love all kinds of music.

Lauren Mandel: 35:28

I know you'd be such a great peloton. I'm not encouraging you to do that. I want you to be an elected official for a long time. But I could totally see that and I'm sure Leo, your husband's gonna listen to me like, Yeah, do that. make me ride. What is an animated character in you know, a movie or a television show can be a Disney Princess can whatever you want. Who which one of those characters do you feel like you relate to most? And why? And this is a tough question because I couldn't come up with an answer for myself.

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 36:07

I you know what I would have to say, and I'm not being hokey. I just think Wonder Woman. That's who I I've always loved, her. I've always loved that she was she was strong. She's a fighter. She fights for the common good. I've never been one to be into princess stuff. Yeah, I don't know. And so to me, it's she's just classic, classic Wonder Woman strong, strong, smart. You know, kick your butt kick her off. So she's probably it for me.

Lauren Mandel: 36:43

Yeah, she'd be a badass in the lege.

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 36:45

Oh, yeah. You're right. Oh, yeah. And then has that you know, the lasso?

Lauren Mandel: 36:52

It's amazing. So as we kind of start to wrap up here, what is the number one thing you want voters or Texans, the electorate at large to know about you, and you know how you go about your job? I guess another way to say it is what do you want your legacy to be when it's all said and done?

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 37:13

I think for me, my legacy is that I truly did this. I did this because I truly care. I truly care about the job that I do. I want to make texas a better place. I didn't come in here with an agenda. In terms of getting ahead. I think one time I remember attending. There was a there was like a candidate, city council candidate forum in San Antonio a couple years ago. And I remember one of the other candidates said something like, if a politician ever tells you that they're never planning for the next for their next move, right, their next biggest office, they're liars. And I thought, yeah, you don't speak for me guy. You know, I truly I truly love being a representative. And, and I do this with the purest of heart. I feel that I I do it with good intentions. And I do it, understanding that I'm privileged to be here that I'm privileged to serve. And there are good politicians out there. Even there right now, it's a time where, you know, I don't blame people. I don't blame Americans for being disgusted right with with politics right now. There's such a divide in our country. But I want them to know that there are a few of us that love what we do, and we do it with good intention.

Lauren Mandel: 38:39

Absolutely. And I can't think of anything better to close on because you represent everything that I know you admire in an elected official, and you've just been able to so eloquently. represent that to your constituents into the state and we are so lucky to have you serving and I'm so thrilled you agreed to do this with me today. Thank you so much for being here. And talking. It was so fun. I want to give Amy and the pink granite team a shout out for giving us this opportunity to have two golden friends just to chat about politics in life. If you want to know more about the representative and her where she represents in San Antonio, or her platform or anything like that. You can visit her website at vote4ina.org. Representative Thank you so much. I hope to see you in person soon. Hug your dogs and we'll talk soon.

Rep. Ina Minjarez: 39:44

Well I hope we get through, this pandemic, then I can give you a big hug and thank you so much. I really enjoyed my time with you.