Strong Texas presence at the Democratic National Convention

Huston Recent Editorial Team
4 Min Read
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 19: Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) appears onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party’s presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from August 19-22. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

They say everything is bigger in Texas. Well, Texans must have taken that energy to Chicago because during this year’s Democratic National Convention, 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.

OPENING NIGHT

Day 1 of the DNC had several political stars grace the stage. One of them who received the biggest reception was U.S. Reps. 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.

ADDITIONAL DNC DAYS

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar of El Paso chaired the convention proceedings 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, addressed the Texas delegation at breakfast on Thursday. 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 were 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 addressed the Texas delegation while in Chicago included 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 made 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:

  1. Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner District 18 At-Large
  2. Texas State Rep. Jolanda Jones District 18 PLEO
  3. Texas State Rep. Ron Reynolds District 22 PLEO
  4. U.S Congressman. Al Green District 9 Automatic
  5. Texas State Rep. Senfronia Thompson District 18 Automatic
  6. Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee District 18 At-Large
  7. Houston City Controller Chris Hollins District 18 District
  8. Interim Executive Director of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Antron Johnson District 18 District
  9. Almeda Dent District 9 At-Large
  10. Alesia Shealey District 18 District
  11. Mo Jenkins District 18 District
  12. Pamela Davis District 9 At-Large
  13. Reggie Stewart District 18 District
  14. Terrance Shanks District 18 District
  15. Toni Middleton Lewis District 9 District

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