Democrats gather for forum in West Texas
10 candidates in race for governor face off at two-hour event
SAN ANGELO — The slate of Democratic candidates looking to pull an upset against Republican Gov. Greg Abbott came to a most unlikely place to make their case to party primary voters: a remote West Texas city that has steadfastly voted Republican for decades.
All 10 Democrats running for governor in the March 6 primary faced off for the first time in a two-hour forum Monday, criticizing Abbott and the Republican Party for failing Texans on public education, health care, foster care and a number of other divisive issues.
“Our state needs an outsider with a fresh perspective to fix this mess,” Houston entrepreneur Andrew White, son of late Gov. Mark White, told the group of 100 Democratic faithful in a message echoed by several of others. “We live in Trump’s prison now. I want to break Texas out.”
White proposed a coastal spine and a new Houston reservoir to protect against future hurricanes, as well as a pay raise for teachers that would be funded by closing a loophole in property tax laws.
“I’ll restore sanity and bring hope to Texas,” he said.
Citing four decades of military service and years as a federal agent, former Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez said her campaign is based on a simple premise: “You have to learn how to serve and serve in a way that does not hurt people.”
“I am hopeful that having this many candidates will energize people to think about the future of Texas and to vote for change.”
David Currie, chairman of the Tom Green County Democratic Party
San Antonio businessman Tom Wakely called for a business income tax, ending the death penalty and open-carry of firearms, legalizing marijuana and for new taxes on oil and gas production — an idea that brought groans from several in the audience.
Austin businessman James Jolly Clark called for a longer school day, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for huge cuts in property taxes and for state environmental regulators to be fired for doing a bad job protecting Texans. He also blasted Republicans in Austin who he said wasted time on the controversial bathroom bill and are “flushing our state down the toilet.”
Grady Yarbrough, a retired teacher, focused on improving public education and access to health care.
Houston electronics businessman Joe Mumbach called for a $15 minimum wage, which he said will boost the state’s economy. He said Texas Democrats must convert Republicans to their views to win the election.
Former Balch Springs Mayor Cedric Davis Sr. called for cash grants for Harvey victims to allow them to get back on their feet more quickly, and for an end to state tax abatements that shortchange school programs.
Houston mortgage broker Demetria Smith blasted Texas officials for not following the U.S. Constitution and said Texas needs a governor who will ensure compliance.
Flower Mound financial analyst Adrian Ocegueda called for changes in campaign-finance laws and an end to politicians who “don’t know how to say no to money.”
“Your voice is what’s important, and your voice is what needs to be heard on election day,” said Dallas businessman Jeffrey Payne. Instead of a blue wave that Democrats are wanting next November, he said, “I believe a blue tsunami will hit Texas.”
Most of the candidates are unknown to most Texans, though a few like Valdez, White and Davis are relatively wellknown in their hometowns. Most are struggling to raise campaign funds to get through the primary and into the general election against Abbott, who reportedly has around $50 million in his war chest.
Most said they had no plans to campaign while they were in staunch GOP San Angelo.
David Currie, chairman of the Tom Green County Democratic Party, said while Texas Democrats have been “living in a political desert for 24 years,” he hopes the large field of candidates who have filed to challenge Abbott could portend a change in state politics in the fall.
“I am hopeful that having this many candidates will energize people to think about the future of Texas,” he said, “and to vote for change.”