Democratic congressional candidate Candace Valenzuela conceded her race against Beth Van Duyne on Tuesday.
Valenzuela, a former school board member, came 2,133 votes short of defeating Van Duyne in Texas 24.
The contest in the Dallas suburbs was the last chance Democrats had to pick up any congressional seats in 2020. Most races were called Tuesday night.
In a statement announcing her concession, Valenzuela thanked supporters and congratulated Van Duyne.
“I know the struggles working families are facing, and I stepped up to run for Congress because the opportunities that my great grandfather, my grandparents, and my parents fought for, that helped me go from being homeless as a kid, sleeping in a kiddie pool outside a gas station, to become the first in my family to go to college have been dwindling for a generation,” Valenzuela said. “North Texans responded to our campaign because we put the issues of working families first.”
“The first time I stepped up to run for office, others told me that I couldn’t do it because I lacked gravitas and, as a mother and a woman of color, I didn’t fit the image of an elected official,” she said. “Even though we didn’t win this race, we’ve forced the gatekeepers of the political process to reimagine who belongs at the table. There is still so much work to be done and I will continue to be a tireless advocate for our schools and all working families across North Texas.”
Photo: Candace Valenzuela campaign website
Fernando covers Texas politics and government at the Texas Signal. Before joining the Signal, Fernando spent two years at the Houston Chronicle and previously interned at Houston’s NPR station News 88.7. He is a graduate of the University of Houston, Jack J. Valenti School of Communication, and enjoys reading, highlighting things, and arguing on social media. You can follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93 or email at fernando@texassignalarchive.com
