Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Congresswoman, spent the weekend with two progressive candidates in Texas, as she headlined rallies and vowed to join her in Washington, D.C. next election by winning the Lone Star State elections.
Ocasio Cortez appeared at both events as Texas’ Democratic primary is set for March 1st. Jessica CisnerosRep. Henry Cuellar, a Democratic incumbent in District 28, is being challenged. Greg Casar, running for an open seat in the state’s newly-created District 35. Both districts extend from Austin to San Antonio.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican, “could never,” tweeted AOC on Sunday afternoon as she shared a video of herself dancing with constituents following an afternoon rally with Casar in San Antonio:
Ted Cruz would never have succeeded pic.twitter.com/lGAO45uuy2
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 13, 2022
Ocasio Cortez, who spoke at a rally Saturday, said that Texas needs more members of Congress who are willing to fight for working families and workers over corporate interests.
“If we send a Democrat who doesn’t give a damn about people, why would we expect people to vote for that person?” she said. “How can we win when we don’t stand for anything? We have to stand for something in order to bring it home.”
Ocasio-Cortez said she was in Texas “to support two incredible game-changing candidates — both, I think, for the Democratic Party, but, frankly, for the country writ large.”
In separate comments, she said she was in town because of the “long game” Democrats must be playing — and not just in safely blue states. “We flip Texas,” she said, “we flip the country.”
It was a great honor to be on stage with you in San Antonio @aocAnd @gregcasar.
Standing up here and seeing everyone at this rally gives me hope that we’re not just going to win this, but we’re going to bring true change to South Texas. #TX28 pic.twitter.com/tWfEKPDutv
— Jessica Cisneros (@JCisnerosTX) February 12, 2022
“Cisneros has really shown what is possible — not only here in San Antonio but all the way down South Texas,” said AOC at the Saturday rally. “She’s shown that we don’t have to accept status quo politics before we actually fight for change.”
Ocasio Cortez was welcomed by union members during a canvas launch party hosted at CWA Local 6443 on Saturday. The New York Democrat spoke out to explain why deep canvassing is still one of the most crucial tools if progressives want success.
I could listen. @AOCAll day I can explain why you should knock on doors for causes you believe are important. I’ve knocked thousands of doors in dozens of states and every door has meant something. Every door has helped to build something. I may not remember every conversation, but I know I’ve moved the needle. pic.twitter.com/Cbi5e3ycW7
— K. Travis Ballie (@KTravisBallie) February 12, 2022
Sharing a video of Sunday’s rally, Casar said a “better Texas is possible” so long as the people of Texas fight and organize for it.
It is possible to have a better Texas. It is possible if we fight for it and if we organize for.
Check out our #ATXRally👉🏽 https://t.co/8WTmjLpAY3
Help us get the vote!👉🏽 https://t.co/1NVN5o9WD0 #TX35
— Greg Casar (@GregCasar) February 13, 2022
During the rally, Casar credited Ocasio-Cortez for being an organizer who later “shook the halls of Congress” by running and winning as a bold progressive.
“She reignited in me and so many of us a fire by instead of talking about what can’t get done, what it is possible for us to do,” he said. “She showed us that when the people lead, the politicians must follow — that’s what we’re gonna do.”
