After a contentious primary, Texas Democrats will host their state convention in Corpus Christi this week and look to rally the party behind their ticket ahead of what they hope will be a midterm election that turns a cascade of seats blue.
In what’s being billed as the largest gathering of Democrats in the country this year, Texas Democrats are looking to harness their momentum to seize perhaps their best chance since 2018 to establish Texas as a major battleground state. This shift is crucial for the national party, as it aims to retake the Senate and maintain a long-term path to the White House. Over two and a half days beginning Thursday, Texas Democrats will choose their state leadership, decide the party’s policy priorities, attend campaign and organizing trainings, and hear from statewide candidates and other prominent Democratic speakers.
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“We’ve had a lot of constructive disagreements over the last few months during the primary cycle, but I think the convention signifies our move towards unity, our move towards the common shared vision of flipping the state blue,” said Jordan Villarreal, a Denton city councilman and member of the State Democratic Executive Committee. “A lot of people across the nation and in our state are looking at this convention as a show of force, a show that we’re serious.”
Democrats have been locked out of state power for decades, with each election cycle bringing new promises of a blue Texas followed by heartbreak and finger-pointing. However, this time, the party’s hopes are buoyed by voter discontent with the Trump administration, a significant turnout in the March Democratic primary, and the rising star of U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico, who faces a scandal-plagued opponent in Attorney General Ken Paxton.
These conditions have not only energized local Democrats but have also attracted national attention to Texas. The convention’s speaker lineup features a number of prominent Democrats with national profiles, signaling a shift in focus toward Texas.
Among the headliners are U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson, who gained attention for his gun control protest. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin is also set to speak, and Tejano music star Bobby Pulido will perform a free concert on the convention’s first night.
“I’ve heard, I don’t know how many times over the years, ‘oh, Texas is in play,’” said Terri Burke, executive director of the Texas Democratic Party. “No, Texas has been an ATM machine for the rest of the country. And for the first time, we’re seeing lots of national attention on Texas.”
This national spotlight was intensified by the dramatic actions of state House Democrats last year, who walked out to protest the GOP’s mid-decade effort to redraw the state’s congressional map. High-profile Senate primaries, particularly Talarico’s and Paxton’s, have kept Texas in the news. Notably, former President Barack Obama recently appeared in Austin to support Talarico and state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee.
Several national speakers reached out to the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) to express their desire to participate in the convention, indicating a growing interest in Texas as a battleground state. However, Republicans have sought to associate Sanders with a form of democratic socialism that they argue is too extreme for Texas.
“There’s one thing that sums up today’s Democrats more than anything else: The keynote at their state convention is Bernie Sanders,” remarked Gov. Greg Abbott during the Republican state convention. He emphasized the need for unity among Republicans to combat the perceived threat of leftist policies.
In response, Democrats downplayed these attacks, highlighting Sanders’ appeal among Latino voters—a pivotal demographic in the upcoming election. They argue that his focus on affordable healthcare and housing resonates with many Texans.
The convention’s lineup has also faced criticism for being predominantly white, with calls for more representation of people of color. Jen Ramos, a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee, noted the importance of diversity and inclusion within the party.
Engaging with Black voters is especially crucial this year, particularly following Talarico’s contentious primary battle, which highlighted divisions within the party. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who defeated Talarico in the primary, expressed concerns about unity among Black voters in support of Talarico and the broader Democratic ticket.
Talarico has since made efforts to strengthen his ties with Black Texans, visiting churches, universities, and releasing plans to address issues affecting Black communities. His outreach has garnered support from organizations dedicated to mobilizing Black and Latino voters.
One of the key objectives of the convention is to foster unity among Democrats, bringing together candidates across the ballot, from Talarico and Hinojosa at the top to legislative candidates and others further down. This is particularly crucial as the TDP aims to compete in every state and federal race, marking a historic first for either party in Texas.
A coalition of major Democratic groups in Texas has launched a $30 million coordinated campaign to support candidates at all levels. National Democrats are eyeing a list of Texas House
