Washington D.C. — Latino Victory Fund launched RunJoaquinRun.com — a website and digital campaign to recruit Congressman Joaquin Castro to run for the U.S. Senate in Texas in the 2020 election.
The statewide multi-platform digital campaign will target Latino voters in Texas to galvanize enthusiasm and grassroots support behind Castro’s potential bid to become Texas’ next U.S. Senator.
“Congressman Joaquin Castro’s decades-long public service record makes him the most qualified and viable candidate to flip this Senate seat, and it’s why Latino Victory Fund is launching this draft campaign to encourage him to run,” said Latino Victory Fund Interim President Melissa Mark-Viverito. “While Senator John Cornyn grows increasingly out of touch with Texas, Congressman Castro has consistently been a fighter for the Latino community and a champion for Texas. There is no doubt that Senator Cornyn is vulnerable, and we are ready to build a grassroots army to recruit and support Joaquin Castro to run and win in 2020.”
Members of the Democratic Texas congressional delegation are on board with Run, Joaquin, Run!:
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16):
“Texans deserve senators who will stand up for our families, not side with Donald Trump every step of the way, including supporting a fabricated national emergency that siphons billions of dollars from our brave men and women in uniform. The policies of the Trump administration have undermined our values, divided communities, and put our country on a dangerous path. The only way to get our country back on track is to elect leaders who have the courage to stand up for us. I enthusiastically encourage my good friend Joaquin Castro to get in the race because he’s the type of leader Texans need and deserve.”
Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29):
“Having worked on a number of issues with Joaquin Castro when I served as Harris County Commissioner and Texas State Senator, I can attest that his dedication and commitment to the betterment of Texans has led Joaquin to be the leader that he is today. Now working together in Congress on behalf of hardworking Texans, I know that he truly cares about our state and country. In today’s divisive times, it is the type of leadership that Joaquin Castro brings to the table that we desperately need in the United States Senate. I’m proud to join Latino Victory Fund’s efforts to draft Joaquin Castro to run for the Senate.”
Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15):
“As a Latino from humble beginnings, Joaquin Castro’s story transcends partisanship and represents the experience of so many Texans. I’m supporting this draft campaign because I know that he’s the best candidate to take on Senator Cornyn. The path to taking back the Senate runs through Texas, and it will be because of Joaquin Castro.”
Congressman Filemon Vela (TX-34):
“Now more than ever, Texans deserve a champion in the United States, and that person is my dear friend Joaquin Castro. From leading the fight against President Trump’s fake national emergency to working to improve the lives of Texans, Joaquin is the type of leader Texas and the U.S. Senate need. Texas Democrats can beat Senator John Cornyn if we elect the right candidate. That’s why I want Joaquin Castro to run for the U.S. Senate.”
In 2018, Democrats came within three percentage points of flipping a U.S. Senate seat in Texas. In a state where Latinos are the largest ethnic bloc, and on pace to be the largest population by 2022, the 2020 elections present an opportunity for a qualified Latino candidate to unseat Senator John Cornyn. A central goal for Latino Victory Fund in 2020 is to ensure that more Latinos are on the ballot for consequential top-of-the-ticket races and whose candidacies are able to galvanize Latinos all over the state. Congressman Joaquin Castro’s viability and name recognition make this a key opportunity for Democrats to pick up a U.S. Senate seat.
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