SAN ANTONIO, Texas – U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio has endorsed Michelle Vallejo for Congressional District 15.
“I am proud to support Michelle Vallejo because she is a proven leader who will fight for the well-paying jobs, high-quality healthcare system, and great public schools that South Texans deserve,” Castro said. “I enthusiastically endorse Michelle’s campaign.”
Vallejo is a small business owner and community leader from Alton, Texas.
“I am proud to have the support of Representative Castro,” Vallejo said. “Together in Washington, we will fight for good paying jobs, affordable healthcare, and a Woman’s right to choose for the State of Texas. ¡Vamos Por Quince!”
Other supporters of Vallejo include the Tejano Democrats, LUPE Votes, EMILY’s List, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez, Hidalgo County District Clerk Laura Hinojosa, Hidalgo County Clerk Arturo Guajardo, Jr., state Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez of Weslaco, state Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, former state Senator Wendy Davis of Fort Worth, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia of Houston, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar of El Paso, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard of California, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of California, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the Working Families Party, the Communication Workers of America, and the United Farmworkers Union.
Asked about the Castro endorsement, Vallejo told the Rio Grande Guardian: “I feel this is a new stepping stone. To have earned Representative Castro’s endorsement and to be working with him already just shows that there are people in Congress already who are excited to be working with me and who know that we have work to do together. That includes Representative Escobar and Representative Garcia. And while, yes, we are putting to the forefront the local support, the people that others will recognize, we are also earning national support. We are setting the example that no matter what we accomplish, no matter how far we go, we are always going to prioritize our home and the people that we know and recognize, foremost.”
Ramirez wins support of Aguilar
Vallejo’s opponent in the Democratic Party runoff election is Edinburg attorney Ruben Ramirez. He, too, boasts a new endorsement: U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar of California.
“I’m supporting Ruben Ramirez for Congress because he understands the struggles families in communities like his and mine face every day,” said Aguilar, vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
“Ruben is the type of leader South Texans need and deserve – fighting for better schools, affordable healthcare, and lower costs for families. Ruben can keep this seat blue and I will be honored to serve alongside him in Congress.”
Ramirez, a former teacher who also served in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, said he was thrilled to have Aguilar’s backing.
“Rep. Aguilar’s endorsement means an incredible amount to me. As a leader who has served his community at all levels of government, and has risen to become the vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, he not only knows what our local communities need to thrive, but how to deliver results for them in Washington, D.C. I couldn’t be more excited to have him on the team.”
Other supporters of Ramirez include U.S. Reps. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Lou Correa of California; Nanette Barragán of California, Rep. Linda Sanchez of California, the McAllen American Federation of Teachers; Hidalgo County Commissioner Ellie Torres, and Seguin Mayor Pro Tem Joe Rea.
Past and present CD 15 representatives
Rubén Hinojosa of McAllen served as U.S. Representative for Congressional District 15 for 20 years, from 1997 to 2017. Like his daughter, Hidalgo County District Clerk Laura Hinojosa, the former congressman is backing Vallejo.
“South Texas deserves a leader with the conviction, integrity, and grit to deliver successful outcomes for everyday working families,” Hinojosa said. “Michelle Vallejo has demonstrated she is the only viable candidate in this race whose number one priority will always be the people of South Texas, instead of special interests. I am proud to announce my endorsement of Michelle Vallejo for Congress and to join her growing people-powered movement.”
Vallejo said she was honored to receive Hinojosa’s support.
“I am honored to have the endorsement of Congressman Hinojosa and to know that he is in my corner in this fight. This is a critical race for South Texas and also our entire nation. All eyes are on us and we will continue to fight to keep this seat blue. We are building a coalition and movement that reaches every single voter to make sure we win big in this election and in November too. ¡Vamos Por Quince!”
Interviewed by the Rio Grande Guardian about Hinojosa’s endorsement, Vallejo said: “This endorsement is so special to me. The endorsement started to get facilitated when I sat down with a previous Congressional District 15 candidate, Eliza Alvarado. It was through her blessing, really, that I was able to come to the table to meet with Laura Hinojosa, our county clerk, who has been such an energetic supporter, just pushing me along and giving me every bit of advice that I asked for. It is really special and it was through their blessings and through their help that I was able to sit down with former Congressman Hinojosa and we talked about what we see for the district. We have a beautiful vision and that is for everyone in South Texas to have an opportunity to live the life that they desire. To be able to have an opportunity to lift themselves up no matter what their circumstances are. Once the Congressman was able to hear me out I think he felt very strongly that I was the right representative to carry this torch and it is such an honor to have received that endorsement.”
The current U.S. Representative for Congressional District 15 is Vicente Gonzalez. However, he is now running for neighboring Congressional District 34. Gonzalez is hoping Ramirez succeeds him in CD 15.
“Ruben represents what South Texans are built of: honesty, integrity and hard work. These values transcend political parties. And that is why Ruben is the only candidate who can win in a district that was intentionally carved out for a Republican,” Gonzalez said.
“In South Texas, we don’t expect hand outs. Sometimes all we need is a hand up and opportunities to achieve our dreams. Ruben Ramirez, can deliver those opportunities. He has fought for our children in the classroom, he’s fought for our country on the battlefield and has proven himself in the courtroom. His well-rounded life experiences will make him a Swiss Army knife in Congress. I know Ruben and I can tell you he will be ready to hit the ground running on day one. I have no doubt that he will represent South Texas with honor and dignity.”
Congressman Gonzalez made his comments in an exclusive guest column for the Rio Grande Guardian. Click here to read the column.
Runoff Election Day is on May 24 with early vote running May 16 to May 20.
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