DFA backs Gina Ortiz Jones in rematch in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District
Today, Democracy for America (DFA) announced its endorsement of Gina Ortiz Jones for U.S. House in her rematch against incumbent Republican Will Hurd in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District.
Democracy for America was an early supporter of Ortiz Jones in her trailblazing 2018 campaign, eagerly celebrated her primary victory, and pushed to count every ballot following the exceedingly narrow general election.
Ortiz Jones is the second in what DFA expects will be a series of endorsements of battle-tested, progressive candidates who ran in 2018, lost narrowly, and will be critical to expanding Democratic control of the U.S. House in 2020. Earlier this month, DFA endorsed Ammar Campa-Najjar in his rematch against Rep. Duncan Hunter in California’s 50th Congressional District.
Statement from DFA CEO Yvette Simpson on the grassroots progressive group’s endorsement of Ortiz Jones:
“Gina Ortiz Jones is not only equipped to end Republican Will Hurd’s career in the U.S. House, she is also the kind of bold trailblazer we need in Congress to deliver on an inclusive populist agenda.
“Democracy for America proudly supported Gina Ortiz Jones back in 2018 because we knew her lifetime of service, bold progressive vision, and commitment to running a smart, strong people-powered campaign would be critical to making change happen in Texas.
“In 2020, if we want to expand Democrats’ House majority and flip the Senate and the White House, it’s going to be absolutely essential that we have talented leaders like Gina Ortiz Jones running for Congress who can inspire and represent the New American Majority coalition of people of color and progressive white voters.“As an Air Force veteran, a member of the LGBTQ community, and a first-generation Filipina-American, Gina Ortiz Jones will break barriers, bring a fresh perspective, and add a new energy to Congress -- and we can’t wait to help get her there this cycle.” -- Yvette Simpson, CEO, Democracy for America
Statement from Ortiz Jones on receiving DFA’s 2020 endorsement:
“I'm running for Congress because the promise of our country is worth fighting for. Democracy for America was founded on the principle that our elected officials should represent the people they serve, not special interests, and I'm proud to have their support.” -- Gina Ortiz Jones
DFA has 1,275 members in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, 66,066 in the state of Texas, and more than one million members nationwide.