Progressive Greg Casar Will Run For TX Congressional District 35

Austin TX

04 November, 2021

11:51 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — Longtime Austin City Councilman Greg Casar is stepping away from council to run for Texas Congressional District 35, which serves from Austin to San Antonio. Casar, 32, announced his run Thursday saying he chose to run for Congress because he believes working Texans deserve a "progressive leader who will fight and deliver on reproductive rights, Medicare for All, good jobs, and a functional power grid." "Our communities are struggling because people like Gov. Abbott are looking out for themselves, instead of everyone else," Casar said in a statement Thursday. "We need Medicare for All, affordable housing, better wages, comprehensive immigration reform, and a massive clean energy jobs program. We can make the world a better place if we fight for it – if we organize for it. Together, we've shown we can do just that." Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. A better world is possible, if we fight for it. Organize for it. That's why I'm running for Congress. To stop the attacks on working Texans. To win Medicare For All, good jobs, affordable housing, & a strong democracy. Join our movement & chip in 👉🏽 https://t.co/9atA4DVwqJ #TX35 pic.twitter.com/Bz8KqOh5XI— Greg Casar (@GregCasar) November 4, 2021 Casar has served as Austin City Council's representative for District 4 for three terms. During his time on council, he earned the title of being the "youngest person ever elected to the Austin City Council" in 2015 at the age of 26. His announcement to run for Congress comes after the seat recently opened last month. Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who has represented the district since 2013, announced his run last week for the newly-drawn district, TX-37. State Reps. Eddie Rodriguez of Austin and Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio told the Austin American-Statesman on Oct. 19 that they also are mulling runs for the position as well. Since the launch of Casar's Exploratory Committee, nearly 1,000 people from across TX-35 have signed up to volunteer on the campaign and help fight for immediate solutions to families' challenges, officials from the campaign said. Greg is the kind of leader we need — committed to bottom-up organizing, a track record of coalition-building & major policy victories, a tireless work ethic & humble approach. Wherever you are, if you want to see Texas take a progressive turn, support this campaign! #TX35 https://t.co/RX7I2nvOzj— Mike Siegel (@SiegelForTexas) November 4, 2021 Elected leaders who've endorsed Casar for Congress include former Texas Senator Wendy Davis, San Antonio City Council Members Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Teri Castillo, Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Austin Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper Madison, Austin City Council Members Vanessa Fuentes, Ann Kitchen, and Paige Ellis, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza and Travis County District Attorney José Garza. Union and labor leaders from across the district have also endorsed Casar, including Bob Comeaux and Alejandra Lopez of Bexar County, statewide leaders like Derrick Osobase, and Willy Gonzalez, and the leaders of Travis County's largest unions like Carol Guthrie, Bob Nicks, Selena Xie and Jeremy Hendricks. A special election will be called to fulfill the remainder of Casar's term for Austin City Council District 4. While this is called, "resign to run," Casar will continue to serve as a Council Member until his successor is inaugurated in 2022, officials said.