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CAN TEXAS BECOME A PROGRESSIVE STATE?
We are six candidates who put our lives on the line to flip local & statewide seats.
None of us won. But we exceed expectations & out-performed moderates in similar races.
To pave the way for future wins, here’s what we’d like to share:
We are six candidates who put our lives on the line to flip local & statewide seats.
None of us won. But we exceed expectations & out-performed moderates in similar races.
To pave the way for future wins, here’s what we’d like to share:
PREPARE FOR THE LONG HAUL
When @CristinaforTX ran for US Senate, she saw the gaps in Texas political institutions. While the GOP has built power over 3 decades, Democrats have been energized for 3 years.
Let’s celebrate our progress, but be realistic about where we are at.
When @CristinaforTX ran for US Senate, she saw the gaps in Texas political institutions. While the GOP has built power over 3 decades, Democrats have been energized for 3 years.
Let’s celebrate our progress, but be realistic about where we are at.
SHARE A POPULIST MESSAGE & BUILD A MULTIRACIAL COALITION
Progressives can tap the populist spirit in Texas politics with a strong economic message.
Washington decision-makers may not see this, but Texas could inspire the nation on issues from climate to jobs and justice.
Progressives can tap the populist spirit in Texas politics with a strong economic message.
Washington decision-makers may not see this, but Texas could inspire the nation on issues from climate to jobs and justice.
BLACK AND LATINX VOTERS ARE A SUPER-MAJORITY OF TEXAS DEMOCRATS
No candidate can win in Texas unless it can speak to our tremendous diversity, and how to bring us together.
No candidate can win in Texas unless it can speak to our tremendous diversity, and how to bring us together.
ADDRESS THE TOXIC DEMOCRATIC BRAND
@ClaytonTuckerTX ran for state senate across rural Texas, and saw how a message of healthcare, jobs, and basic human dignity can succeed.
Yet although “vote blue” inspires some, too many Texans see the party as weak, ineffectual and corrupt.
@ClaytonTuckerTX ran for state senate across rural Texas, and saw how a message of healthcare, jobs, and basic human dignity can succeed.
Yet although “vote blue” inspires some, too many Texans see the party as weak, ineffectual and corrupt.
LOCALIZE OUR MESSAGES & KEEP IT SIMPLE
Cookie-cutter messaging does not inspire. Yet with too much detail, voters can’t remember what we stand for.
As @AkilahBacy says, we show representation by listening to each community.
But our language must be simple so it sticks.
Cookie-cutter messaging does not inspire. Yet with too much detail, voters can’t remember what we stand for.
As @AkilahBacy says, we show representation by listening to each community.
But our language must be simple so it sticks.
RUNNING PROGRESSIVE DOESN’T HURT — BUT THE PARTY TICKET CAN
I was branded as a radical communist who'd abolish prisons. Yet I performed as well as moderates with 5x the cash.
The problem was that our populist message—healthcare and jobs for all—was not reinforced by Biden.
I was branded as a radical communist who'd abolish prisons. Yet I performed as well as moderates with 5x the cash.
The problem was that our populist message—healthcare and jobs for all—was not reinforced by Biden.
THE MEDIA IS A PROBLEM IN LOCAL RACES
@JulieOliverTX and I ran into the same issue — local media give little coverage to congressional campaigns.
Without media regarding our races or a national discussion of progressive issues, getting our message out is even harder.
@JulieOliverTX and I ran into the same issue — local media give little coverage to congressional campaigns.
Without media regarding our races or a national discussion of progressive issues, getting our message out is even harder.
INCUMBENT DEMS ARE A PROBLEM
In 2020 the worst-performing turnout districts were safe Democratic congressional seats.
While 413K voted in TX-10 where I ran, less than 160K voted in two Democratic districts.
Dead weight on the ticket is a major obstacle to political change.
In 2020 the worst-performing turnout districts were safe Democratic congressional seats.
While 413K voted in TX-10 where I ran, less than 160K voted in two Democratic districts.
Dead weight on the ticket is a major obstacle to political change.
REPUBLICANS TOOK BETO’S SUCCESS VERY SERIOUSLY
The GOP does not hold power with a mandate — they depend on a minority of voter participation.
We should not be surprised they fought so hard to protect their hold on Texas, after we came so close in 2018.
The GOP does not hold power with a mandate — they depend on a minority of voter participation.
We should not be surprised they fought so hard to protect their hold on Texas, after we came so close in 2018.
A MESSAGE THAT'S REAL
“Democrat speak” or “party speak” won’t move many.
Candidates like @JulieOliverTX out-performed the top of the ticket with a bold progressive message.
With so many suffering, we must cut through the jargon and speak to what’s really going on.
“Democrat speak” or “party speak” won’t move many.
Candidates like @JulieOliverTX out-performed the top of the ticket with a bold progressive message.
With so many suffering, we must cut through the jargon and speak to what’s really going on.
EARNING THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE — AND GIVING THEM SOMETHING TO FIGHT FOR
As @LorenzoForTexas says, people need to be able to trust a representative to fight behind closed doors — for their family, for their community, for their values.
As @LorenzoForTexas says, people need to be able to trust a representative to fight behind closed doors — for their family, for their community, for their values.
BUILD THE BENCH
The Texas GOP knows that you put the leaders of tomorrow into local office today.
Progressives need to continue to get our people onto school boards and city councils, so they will be ready for promotion when we need them.
The Texas GOP knows that you put the leaders of tomorrow into local office today.
Progressives need to continue to get our people onto school boards and city councils, so they will be ready for promotion when we need them.
DEMAND A PROGRESSIVE PARTY
The Democratic Party should be fighting for health care as a human right. Thousands are dying every day, and far too many don’t have health coverage.
Ours should be the party of the people — and accountable to the people.
The Democratic Party should be fighting for health care as a human right. Thousands are dying every day, and far too many don’t have health coverage.
Ours should be the party of the people — and accountable to the people.
THE PATH AHEAD: FOLLOWING ARIZONA & GEORGIA
We can’t rely on the Democratic Party to do what needs to be done.
Latino and Indigenous communities in Arizona and the Black community in Georgia have set the example.
We need a ground-up, long-term strategy for change.
We can’t rely on the Democratic Party to do what needs to be done.
Latino and Indigenous communities in Arizona and the Black community in Georgia have set the example.
We need a ground-up, long-term strategy for change.
INSTITUTIONS & INSPIRATION
We need to work in the community year-round. Register voters, hold events, build organizations.
But we also can’t forget the work of helping each person realize their power and potential.
We need to work in the community year-round. Register voters, hold events, build organizations.
But we also can’t forget the work of helping each person realize their power and potential.
IF YOU CHANGE TEXAS YOU CHANGE EVERYTHING
To be clear, this isn’t about changing Texas from blue to red.
We want to transform the lives of Texans — nothing greedy, just what is fair and right.
To be clear, this isn’t about changing Texas from blue to red.
We want to transform the lives of Texans — nothing greedy, just what is fair and right.
NO WAITING / NO OFF-YEARS
Register voters. Recruit volunteers. Have meetings. Do the work year-round. Start local and build from there.
The GOP has set the standard and we need to catch up.
We’ve got the people. We just need to stay in the game and do the work.
Register voters. Recruit volunteers. Have meetings. Do the work year-round. Start local and build from there.
The GOP has set the standard and we need to catch up.
We’ve got the people. We just need to stay in the game and do the work.
I’m honored to be in this fight with Cristina, Julie, Lorenzo, Akilah, Clayton, and so many more.
For the full one-hour discussion, check out the video.
Let’s get to work, y'all!
For the full one-hour discussion, check out the video.
Let’s get to work, y'all!
