They say everything is bigger in Texas. Well, Texans must have taken that energy to Chicago because during this year’s Democratic National Convention (DNC), the Lone Star State had an over-sized impact.
Democratic politicos are hoping that same presence is felt throughout the campaign and onto election day, Nov. 5.
Throughout the conference, several political stars graced the stage, including several Texans, like U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas who compared the resumes of the two candidates for president: current VP Kamala Harris and former president, twice impeached, Donald Trump.
“On Nov. 5, our nation will hire a president, a Commander-in-Chief, and leader of the free world,” said Crockett. “[Harris] became a career prosecutor while [Trump] became a career criminal.”
Crockett also shared a heartfelt remembrance of her first meeting with Harris. Also on the convention’s opening night, Amanda Zurawski, who sued Texas over its restrictive abortion laws, spoke on the mainstage along with her husband.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar of El Paso will chair the convention proceedings on Thursday. Like Crockett, Escobar is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party and is a national co-chair of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Escobar represents a border district in El Paso and has been a leading Democratic voice on humanitarian border issues.
U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, the party’s candidate for the U.S. Senate, is scheduled to address the Texas delegation at one of it’s breakfasts. Allred’s race against Ted Cruz is one of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s top targets this year.
Joining Allred as a speaker at the Texas delegation’s breakfasts haven been and/or will be U.S. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, Marc Veasey of Fort Worth, Greg Casar of Austin, and State Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch.
Other Texans who have already or will soon address the Texas delegation while in Chicago include State Sen. Cesar Blanco, former congressional candidate Gina Ortiz Jones, and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
Veasey was one of the first Texans calling for Biden to step down from the ticket after he debated with Trump.
Johnson (D-Farmers Branch), is the Democratic nominee for the congressional seat Allred is vacating to run for Senate.
ON THE GROUND
Beyond the stage, Texans are making a huge impact during the DNC in their roles as delegates. Delegates from the state’s African American community were tasked with representing Black interests within the Democratic Party.
The list of Houston/Harris County delegates who made their presence felt at the DNC included:
- Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner District 18 At-Large
- Texas State Rep. Jolanda Jones District 18 PLEO
- Texas State Rep. Ron Reynolds District 22 PLEO
- U.S Congressman. Al Green District 9 Automatic
- Texas State Rep. Senfronia Thompson District 18 Automatic
- Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee District 18 At-Large
- Houston City Controller Chris Hollins District 18 District
- Interim Executive Director of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Antron Johnson District 18 District
- Almeda Dent District 9 At-Large
- Alesia Shealey District 18 District
- Mo Jenkins District 18 District
- Pamela Davis District 9 At-Large
- Reggie Stewart District 18 District
- Terrance Shanks District 18 District
- Toni Middleton Lewis District 9 District
