Equality Texas, a pro-LGBTQ rights advocacy organization, endorsed 14 candidates running for the Texas House on Wednesday.
“It is critically important that Equality Texans turn out in mass to vote this November to ensure that Texas continues its’ march toward equal justice under the law,” said CEO of Equality Texas Ricardo Martinez in a prepared statement. “The Texas House is 9 seats away from flipping to a pro-equality majority and these candidates for office have committed to supporting LGBTQ rights, civil rights and social justice.”
The list of endorsed candidates, all Democrats, include:
HD 26 Sarah DeMerchant, Democrat Sugarland
HD 64 Angela Brewer, Democrat Denton
HD 66 Sharon Hirsch Democrat Plano
HD 67 Lorenzo Sanchez, Democrat Plano
HD 92 Jeff Whitfield, Democrat Bedford
HD 93- Lydia Bean, Democrat Ft. Worth
HD 94 Alisa Simmons, Democrat Arlington
HD 97 Elizabeth Beck, Democrat Ft. Worth
HD 96 Joe Drago, Democrat Arlington
HD 100 Jasmine Crockett, Democrat Dallas
HD 108 Joanna Cattanach, Democrat Dallas
HD 112 Brandy Chambers, Democrat Richardson
HD 138 Akilah Bacy, Democrat Houston
“We strongly support their candidacy,” Martinez said. “We believe voters will overwhelmingly reject candidates who engage in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and homophobic and transphobic campaign tactics. If these pro-equality leaders are elected many of them will replace incumbents who espouse anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and policies.”
Democrats are targeting almost two dozen statehouse districts this November, several of which were won or nearly won by Beto O’Rourke in 2018. If Democrats are successful in capturing nine seats, it would be the first time since 2002 the party controls the lower chamber.
Photo: Getty Images
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
