AUSTIN, Texas — Texas State House District 52 is one of three Central Texas seats Democrats are looking to flip this election.

It’s centered in Williamson County and includes Round Rock, Taylor and Hutto.

The seat was left open after Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock, announced his retirement earlier this year.

The two candidates vying to replace him are Republican Cynthia Flores, a case manager for the Round Rock Area Serving Center and Democrat James Talarico, a former public school teacher and director of an education nonprofit.

Talarico said he’s a proud Democrat, but he hopes voters elect him based on where he stands on issues.

“Our district is a fast-growing one,” Talarico said. “But really, I think this election is so much bigger than one party taking control of one seat. I think it's about trying to end some of the division and drama that we see at the State Capitol and at the national Capitol.”

Talarico said his focus if elected will be on public education and fixing the state’s school finance system.

“Got a lot of lawyers and business people at the Capitol, and they deserve a place the table, too. But we don't have nearly enough educators making these decisions about education policy,” Talarico said. “We have to infuse the system with more funds from the state so we can keep our schools open, keep them successful but also relieve the tax burden on local property taxpayers.”

Over the past seven years, the state’s share in funding public schools has dropped from half to 38 percent.

Flores has not agreed to an interview for Capital Tonight. According to her website, she supports conservative reforms to education, school choice and is against elective abortions.

Click the video link above to watch the full interview with Talarico.