Those closest to Frances Carnot insist that she’s on another oneof her so–called ‘crusades’. But this crusade “is the big one,” saysCarnot. Carnot (D–San Antonio) is running for State Representativeof District 122, looking to unseat her incumbent, Rep. Frank Corte (RSanAntonio), looking to win his ninth term this November.
With this year’s election season weighing on many people’sminds, Carnot, like many, is motivated by a fervent desire for change.The purview of her crusade stretches across much of northern BexarCounty, from Castle Hills to Fair Oaks, and includes municipalitieslike Shavano Park, Hill Country Village and Hollywood Park. That’squite a large district for someone with the nickname ‘little bit’. But‘little’ is hardly the way that Carnot has ledher life.
As a teacher, a mother, a wife, a mentor,an advocate, and a social worker, shehas been an active member and leader inthe San Antonio community for as longas she can remember. Carnot was born inMonterrey, Mexico, and immigrated withher family to San Antonio at the age of six.Growing up on the southside, she graduatedfrom McCollum High School, andthen went on to receive her degree at OurLady of the Lake University. Carnot thenentered her teaching profession shortlythereafter, and the same year married herhusband of 30 years this December, AlfredA. Carnot. As a teacher she served as an elementary,secondary and college level instructor.This is what she claims has madeher such a strong crusader for educationand bettering the quality of services providedby public schools.
As a former adult probation officer shehas seen firsthand the problems that affectthe youth of the community, a lack of educationbeing one of the most serious. “Youcan hear my passion for kids when I talk. Ithas been all the different things I am involved in, all the hardships I’veseen these kids go through. It became tiring to see them go to prison,see them struggle to make ends meet. People don’t realize we have alot of children living on their own in San Antonio,” says Carnot. Herpassion for empowering youth though education is obvious.
So just how did she go from a teacher to a political advocate?“Throughout my life I have always been mediating, the peacemaker,and I was always advocating for somebody or some cause. I have alwayswanted to help those who can’t help themselves. And I will alwaysfind a way!” says Carnot.
It is Carnot’s strong will that has empowered many people andcauses throughout San Antonio. As a long–time community servicevolunteer, she has demonstrated her involvement and leadershipthrough many different organizations. She recently held the title ofPresident for the Bexar County Democratic Women of Texas, butstepped down to pursue her campaign full time. However, this is notthe first time she has run for a political position. She previously ranfor City Council of Leon Valley and lost to her incumbent by only 22votes. “After that I kind of left the political scene alone, until one day Iwas sitting down reading an article about TXDOT in the newspaper,talking about how TXDOT could not account for where the moneyhad gone. I was so sick and tried of hearing about it that I pickedup the phone, dialed TXDOT and got an appointment to meet withthe top engineer,” she said. Since then, Carnot has made it a missionin her campaign to protect the highways from special interests. It isnot surprising that in this election the tolling of the US 281 Highwaycorridor is a main issue in her district. She believes that the growthand development along this corridor hasmade the district one of the fastest growingin Texas and expansion of Highway 281is vital to the continued growth and developmentof the district. “Unfortunately, themismanagement of this expansion projecthas been a disaster, we will need to sendthe 81st Legislature a message that TXDOTmust be responsible for our Texasroads, not the special interest,” she says.
Carnot’s dedication to providing everyconstituent with a voice has recentlyearned her another notable title, as a TexasSAC member to the United States Commissionon Civil Rights. “This is somethingto be proud of. I want the citizens of BexarCounty to know that they havea memberof the SAC in the community that they cancome to if they need anything. And I willbe here to help advocate on their behalf.And I am ready to do that in Austin,” saysCarnot.
While Carnot is not out crusadingfor her community she spends her timewith her husband and son, Alfred E. Carnot.Her husband, who recently retired asCaptain of the San Antonio Police Department after 33 years of service,has always been very supportive. She admits, “He would be thefirst to tell you that he didn’t want me to run, but he was always verysupportive,” she says. The Carnots enjoy their time together fishing,cooking and decorating for the holidays. While Carnot respects allfaiths, she herself is a Christian. A cancer survivor, she understandsthe strength that faith brings to individuals and families in times ofcrisis and great personal challenge.
“I am not your average politician. I am just an ordinary citizen. Iam a teacher. I am an advocate. I am a mother and wife and I am afirm believer in democracy and giving the people their own voice,and having that voice be one of empowerment,” says Carnot. Onecould say that unseating her incumbent is an uphill battle, but Carnotreplies, “Yes, you are right, it is an uphill battle but somebody hasto do it, so it might as well be me.” She speaks with the words of anadmirably humble hero, and a true crusader.
