Obama endorses 9 Texas Democrats in midterms: 5 in DF-W Texas House races and 4 running for Congress
by: DMN, Gromer Jeffers Jr., Political Writer
Former President Barack Obama is hoping to boost nine Texas Democrats running in November, including five North Texas state House candidates.
He released a list of his nationwide picks Monday on Twitter.
Today, I’m proud to endorse even more Democratic candidates who aren’t just running against something, but for something—to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service. They deserve your vote: pic.twitter.com/NO5jnhX3XD
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 1, 2018
“Our incredible array of candidates up and down the ticket, all across the country, make up a movement of citizens who are younger, more diverse, more female than ever before,” Obama said in a news release. “They’re Americans who aren’t just running against something, but for something. They’re running to expand opportunity and restore the honor and compassion that should be the essence of public service.”
He endorsed several Democrats in hotly contested Texas House races: Ana-Marie Ramos against incumbent Republican Linda Koop in the 102nd District, Julie Johnson against Republican Matt Rinaldi in the 115th District, Terry Meza against incumbent Republican Rodney Anderson in the 105th District and Rhetta Bowers against Republican Jonathan Boos in the 113th District.
Obama also backed incumbent Democrat Eric Johnson in the deep-blue 100th District. Johnson is also a candidate for speaker of the Texas House.
In U.S. House races, Obama backed a quartet of women: Lizzie Fletcher against John Culberson in Houston’s 7th District; Veronica Escobar in the El Paso seat now held by Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who’s running for Senate; Gina Ortiz Jones against incumbent Republican Will Hurd in the 23rd District; and Sylvia Garcia in the Houston-anchored seat now held by Democrat Gene Green.
In August Obama backed Colin Allred against incumbent Republican Pete Sessions in the 32nd District.
Today I’m proud to endorse such a wide and impressive array of Democratic candidates – leaders as diverse, patriotic, and big-hearted as the America they’re running to represent: pic.twitter.com/gWzalQhFas
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 1, 2018
Julie Johnson, who’s running against Rinaldi to represent northwest Dallas County, said she was honored to receive the endorsement.
“Just as President Obama made it his priority to make health care and education a central part of his legacy, I will be striving to do the same down in Austin so we can make House District 115 an even better place to live and work,” she said in a written statement. “This isn’t just my endorsement — it’s an endorsement of the incredible fight we have put up thus far, together.”
Ramos, who is challenging Koop, had a similar reaction.
“President Obama truly understands and values the power of the people,” she [said] in an email. “Having volunteered in his 2012 campaign, we fought voter suppression and intimidation in Norfolk, Virginia. Today, Team Ramos and our wonderful supporters continue the fight for working class families in Texas House District 102.”
