The Number Of Texas Democrats Vying To Challenge John Cornyn Grows To Seven

“As Cristina announced her candidacy yesterday, she immediately tied Cornyn to Trump. Her bet is that Trump will be a hindrance in Texas.”

By Rhonda FanningAugust 13, 2019 10:29 am

Texas Sen. John Cornyn faces reelection in 2020. But before that campaign begins, Democratic primary voters must choose a candidate to run against him. And though there are a lot of choices – at least seven Democrats have announced so far –  a Texas media outlet is encouraging someone else to join the fray. The Houston Chronicle editorial board says former Congressman, and current presidential candidate, Beto O’Rourke should drop out of the race for president to challenge Cornyn.

“Beto, if you’re listening: Come home. Drop out of the race for president and come back to Texas to run for Senator. The chances of winning the race you’re in now are vanishingly small,” The Chronicle editorial board wrote.

Carlos Sanchez, senior editor for Texas Monthly, says the race to challenge Cornyn has gotten more interesting this week, with the entry of Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, founder of JOLT, an activist group of young Hispanic Texans.

“Her work has been involved heavily with younger Democrats of color, and with millennials,” Sanchez says. “So you now have a kind of a Beto factor entering into this race.”

Sanchez says many who are supporting Tzintzún Ramirez are former “Beto-ites” and that she is likely to appeal to the same young, energized demographic O’Rourke did when he ran against Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018.

Sanchez says Tzintzún Ramirez is well-known in the Texas progressive community, and has a history of flashy activism. During the 2017 debate over SB 4, the so-called “sanctuary cities” bill, she led a group of young Latina women who protested the bill in quinceanera dresses. The protest drew nationwide attention. Sanchez says 

The number of candidates in the Senate race indicates to Sanchez that Republicans in the state are vulnerable, and that it remains to be seen whether President Donald Trump’s presence on the ballot will help ur hurt members of his party in their races. 

“As Cristina announced her candidacy yesterday, she immediately tied Cornyn to Trump,” Sanchez says. “Her bet is that Trump will be a hindrance in Texas.”

 

Written by Shelly Brisbin.