Today, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Cheri Bustos announced Democrats are capitalizing on the proven energy in Texas by putting boots on the ground to establish a new DCCC:Texas Headquarters. Led by experienced Democratic political experts and Texas Natives Roger Garza and Michael Beckendorf, DCCC:Texas HQ will be centrally located in Austin where three of the six seats on the DCCC’s offensive battlefield converge. The public announcement of the DCCC:Texas HQ comes in addition to the DCCC’s March Forward program that is already putting field organizers in the suburbs of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.
In the 2018 election, many were shocked when Democrats in Texas picked up two nationally watched seats and Republicans held on by five points or less in six other districts. Most of these districts were competitive for the first time in decades. Demonstrated success in 2018, in addition to six already very close races, make Texas the most fertile ground in the country for Democrats to flip seats from red to blue.
In each of the six targeted seats, a rapidly growing and diverse population has Republicans “freaking out” and “increasingly worried that some of the targeted incumbents are not taking these re-election races seriously or may end up retiring.”
“When it comes to places where House Democrats can go on offense, it doesn’t get any bigger than Texas,” said DCCC Chairwoman Cheri Bustos. “In 2018, Texas Democrats proved that they can win in competitive districts. That’s why we are continuing our investments in the Lone Star State by opening a new DCCC:Texas Headquarters. Led by senior political strategists and Texas natives Michael Beckendorf and Roger Garza, we look forward to continuing our work with grassroots partners on the ground to earn the votes we’ll need to flip more GOP-held seats in Texas from Red to Blue.”
“In 2018, we showed why Texas was important,” said Representative Veronica Escobar. “We gained the majority in part by investing in the right candidates and working hard to make sure they had the support they needed. The movement we created is ready to pick up more seats in 2020 and starting early will get us those victories.”
“This national investment in Texas confirms what we here have known for some time: more and more Texans are fed up with Republicans, lockstep with Trump, who cower in his shadow,” said Representative Lloyd Doggett. “This impulsive, destructive President threatens so much we value. Despite outrageous Republican gerrymandering designed to insulate their Republican Congressmembers from public accountability, that shield is growing thinner by the day. Texans in 2020 can demand accountability from those who have lost their way.”
“Texas is crucial to maintaining and expanding our House majority, and today’s announcement is a commitment to our grassroots that we’ve got their back,” said Representative Marc Veasey. “Texans turned out in record numbers in 2018 for more jobs, better education and expanded access to health care, and I look forward to continuing that momentum in 2020.”
“An early presence in Texas is key to harnessing the energy of Texans for 2020,” said Representative Filemon Vela. “I am pleased to see Texas at the forefront of a grassroots Democratic strategy.”
About DCCC:Texas HQ’s senior leadership team
Southern Regional Political Director Michael Beckendorf. Michael is a Dallas native who brings close to a decade of experience working on competitive congressional races. He got his start in Texas politics working on Rep. Chet Edwards 2010 campaign and he served as Field Director for Rep. Pete Gallego’s 2012 election. In 2018, he served as Rep. Kim Schrier’s campaign manager, one of the most expensive congressional races in history. As the Southern Regional Political Director, Beckendorf will oversee the DCCC’s efforts to defend and pick up seats in his home state of Texas.
DCCC Texas Senior Advisor Roger Garza: In the 2017-2018 cycle, Roger served as a strategist for Rep. Colin Allred’s successful campaign in TX-32. From 2008-2011, Roger served as Executive Director of the Texas House Democratic Caucus and as Political Director & Deputy Director of the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee. Since 2011, Roger has worked on numerous top tier Congressional, Legislative, District Attorney, and Mayoral races in Texas. Roger has served as Chief of Staff in the Texas State House for four legislative sessions.