Democrats will gather for their national convention Monday in Chicago in hopes of continuing a wave of enthusiasm for their revamped presidential ticket featuring Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz.
While Texans aren’t expected to have a big prime-time presence at the four-day Democratic National Convention, the Lone Star State should have a major role to play.
From local races to president, Democrats across the country are campaigning on issues that are major themes in Texas politics, including reproductive rights, gun policy, diversity programs and LGBTQ issues.
Unlike at last month’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Texas will be cast in the villain’s role on matters of public policy.
“Unfortunately, under Republican leadership in the state, Texas has become kind of the beta lab for the worst policy ideas that then sweep the country,” said Lisa Turner, state director of the Lone Star Project, a Democratic research group.
“When you look at the Democratic convention and the Texans that are going to be there, and the messages that are going to be delivered, I feel certain it will resonate with every Texan, because we live it,” Turner said.
The convention will be a pep rally for Democrats, even in Texas, where they haven’t won a statewide race since 1994 or a presidential contest since 1976. Turner says the enthusiasm around the Harris-Walz ticket is off the charts, which could boost Texans in down-ballot contests.
“This is a different kind of energy. It’s a ‘cannot wait to get to the polls’ kind of energy,” Turner said. “It’s the combination of a very accomplished woman running to be president and America’s dad, the nicest person you could ever meet, running for vice president at a time when you don’t see nice politics much.”
Rice University political scientist Mark Jones expects a focus on abortion-related issues to put the spotlight on Texas and its near-total ban on abortion. References to guns and health care also could involve Texas, which has loosened gun restrictions in recent years and has the nation’s highest rate of uninsured residents.
“Since the Texas abortion legislation is so far off the main street, even for Texas, it’s an easy foil for Democrats to use to paint a picture of … essentially what life would look like if Republicans had their way and essentially a free hand to run the country,” Jones said.
Texas Democrats are relieved Harris replaced President Joe Biden on the ballot, Jones said, adding to their energy at the convention.
“If you’re a Democrat in a light blue district or a light blue county, you’re breathing a sigh of relief,” he said. “Harris assures you that your base vote turns out in normal or slightly above normal margins. If you’re a Democrat in those areas, that’s all you need.”
Texas Democrats in Republican-leaning districts might be nervous about the convention and Harris-Walz policies on the energy industry and other issues that could alienate Texans, Jones said.
“It’s easier for your opponent to link you to a coastal progressive,” Jones said.
Texas delegates making the trip to Chicago say they are excited about watching history unfold. Harris is the first Black woman to be the presidential nominee of a major political party.
“That’s really been my driving force for wanting to be there in person,” said state Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers, D-Rowlett. “To hear first hand and up close the first African American woman to be nominated for president of the United States will be an inspiring, historic moment that will give us a sense of pride.”
Abortion in the spotlight
Democrats have embraced fighting for abortion rights as a winning issue and often highlight the stories of Texas women denied medically necessary abortions to help make their case.
Lauren Miller of Dallas, who testified at a U.S. Senate hearing in June about having to leave the state for an abortion, plans to be in Chicago as a delegate.
One of her twins was diagnosed with serious, fatal abnormalities that put the healthy twin and Miller’s health at risk. Texas doctors were reluctant to even discuss options, so Miller traveled to Colorado for an abortion in October 2022.
The other twin is a happy, healthy 1 year old, Miller said.
In a recent interview with The Dallas Morning News, Miller praised the Harris-Walz campaign’s emphasis on protecting abortion rights, noting Harris was the first vice president to visit an abortion clinic and Walz worked to protect abortion access as governor of Minnesota.
Miller said she and other Texas women can send a potent message about the implications of a campaign against former President Donald Trump, whose nomination of three conservative Supreme Court justices provided the margin needed to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
“What has happened in Texas and across all these states with abortion bans will be a national problem if Donald Trump is elected,” Miller said. “Everyone across the country needs to realize that if there is anyone in their life who can get pregnant, their life is on the line in November.”
Texas speakers could include Dallas’ Colin Allred
Harris’ acceptance speech is planned for Thursday night and Walz’s on Wednesday.
President Biden, former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also are expected to speak during the convention, but the party has not released a comprehensive list of speakers.
Texas Democrats will have different roles at the convention, and some could speak from the main stage, including U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, who is running against U.S. Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in November.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, is national co-chair of the Harris-Walz campaign, a role she carried over from the Biden-Harris campaign. U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth and Jasmine Crockett of Dallas plan to attend and participate in different events throughout the week.
Allred has sought to keep his race against Cruz as far as possible from the presidential contest and instead make it a referendum on the incumbent. As Democrats debated Biden’s fate after his poor June debate performance, Allred said it was up to the president whether to continue his reelection effort.
An Allred speech at the convention would likely emphasize the case against Cruz, whose speech at last month’s GOP convention focused on Biden’s immigration policies and did not mention his race against Allred.
Delegates are fired up
Democratic delegates could be forgiven for feeling whiplash after the past six weeks featured Biden’s devastating debate performance, the assassination attempt against Trump, the choice of U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as Trump’s running mate and an energized and united GOP convention in Milwaukee.
While Democrats were arguing over whether to replace Biden atop the ticket, Republicans emerged from their convention riding a surge of momentum.
Passion Jackson, a delegate from Dallas, said it was briefly discouraging when Biden announced the end of his reelection bid.
“I didn’t know what direction we were going to go,” Jackson said. “As soon as he endorsed Vice President Harris, I feel like the clouds just started breaking and rolling away and I could see the vision.”
Jackson, who’s excited to attend her first in-person convention since 2004, plans to attend Black Caucus and Women’s Caucus meetings and other events.
She was a delegate to the virtual 2020 convention, but said connecting with other Democrats by video conference doesn’t generate the same energy as doing so in person.
The Texas delegation will gather daily for traditional breakfast meetings featuring speakers who are expected to include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama.
The traditional roll call vote of state delegations will be ceremonial after delegates voted online earlier this month to make Harris the nominee.
“We’ve done the most important part of our job before we even get there,” Jackson said.