With Election Day on Tuesday, candidates are using every minute to get out the word about voting. Latino Victory Fund, a political action committee that backs progressive Latino candidates, announced a new round of digital and radio ad buys in support of a trio of candidates in Texas.
A radio ad has already started, and it highlights the work of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who is in a tough re-election campaign; as well as Rochelle Garza, who could be the first Latina Attorney General in Texas history. Digital ads are also running on Facebook and Instagram targeting Latino voters about Garza and Hidalgo, as well as Michelle Vallejo, who is running in TX-15.
Last month, Latino Victory Fund held multiple events in Houston. At an event with Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, Garza noted her record as a civil rights attorney who has also fought to protect abortion access alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda and Luz Towns-Miranda, a board member for Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Lin-Manuel Miranda then attended a rally for Hidalgo.
Polls show that all three Latinas are locked in tight races. Garza has been crisscrossing the state throughout early voting. She was in North Texas earlier this week with state house candidates in Collin County. She will be at a “Todos Con Rochelle” event on Friday afternoon in Hays County with State Rep. Erin Zwiener and Susan Hays, agriculture commissioner candidate.
Hidalgo has also been busy on the campaign trail, particularly with union members in Houston. Hidalgo’s opponent for Harris County Judge has raked in millions from just a handful of wealthy donors. One developer even donated $400,000, which The Houston Chronicle is asking her to give back.
In the first twenty days of October, Vallejo outraised her far-right opponent in TX-15. Last weekend she attended a rally with Greg Casar and Bernie Sanders, who called her a “strong progressive.”
With just a few days left until Election Day, all three candidates can use as much support as possible. In a statement about their ad buys, Latino Victory Fund managing director Yvonne Gutierrez said they were committed to championing Hidalgo, Garza and Vallejo. “Texas Republicans’ attacks on abortion access, voting rights, and on Latino and immigrant
communities have made it crystal clear that the stakes of the midterm elections couldn’t be higher,” said Gutierrez. “Lina Hidalgo, Rochelle Garza, Michelle Vallejo are proven Latina leaders who are fighting against attacks on reproductive freedom, voting rights, and working to keep our children safe in schools.”
A longtime writer and journalist, Jessica was thrilled to join the Texas Signal where she could utilize her unique perspective on politics and culture. As the Features and Opinion Editor, she is responsible for coordinating editorials and segments from diverse authors. She is also the host of the podcast the Tex Mix, as well as the co-host for the weekly SignalCast. Jessica attended Harvard College, is a onetime fitness blogger, and has now transitioned to recreational runner (for which her joints are thankful).
