ALTON, Texas - Small business owner and community leader Michelle Vallejo has announced the endorsement of over 100 Texas leaders in her bid to become the next U.S. Representative for Congressional District 15.
Among the local leaders supporting her campaign are: Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, Hidalgo County Commissioners Ellie Torres and David Fuentes, Hidalgo County Clerk Arturo Guajardo, Jr., Hidalgo County Treasurer Lita Leo, Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez, and Hidalgo County Constables Marty Cantu and Danny Marichalar.
Among the city mayors in Hidalgo County that have pledged to help Vallejo win election to Congress are Ramiro Garza, Jr., of Edinburg, Diana Martinez of Alamo, Yvette Cabrera of Granjeno, Salvador Vela of Alton, Rick Villarreal of Palmview, and Isidro Casanova of La Joya.
Vallejo hopes to join U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Laredo, and Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen, in Congress. Both have announced their support of her candidacy.
Local state Representatives backing Vallejo include Oscar Longoria of La Joya, Sergio Muñoz, Jr., of Mission, Armando Martinez of Weslaco, and Terry Canales of Edinburg.
“I am extremely proud and honored to have the support of so many powerful leaders from all corners of our beautiful state and throughout all of South Texas,” Vallejo said. “The stakes could not be higher. Texas’s 15th Congressional District is the most competitive in Texas and could very much determine if we hold the House. These 100 endorsements include members of Congress, statewide candidates and local leaders who all understand the importance of this race. Monica De La Cruz’s extreme and radical views on abortion, health care access and immigration have no place in South Texas and on Nov. 8 we’re going to elect a working families champion to Congress. ¡Vamos Por Quince!"
Vallejo also has the backing of Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Beto O'Rourke.
The Beto for Texas campaign said: “Beto O’Rourke endorses Michelle Vallejo for Congress. Together, we can overcome the divisions and extremism in Texas and unite people around the popular, bipartisan things that Texans want to achieve together: great jobs, world-class schools, the ability to see a doctor, and finally fixing the grid."
Vallejo responded: “I am honored to have the endorsement of our future governor and Texas leader, Beto O'Rourke,” said Michelle Vallejo, Democratic nominee for Texas’s 15th Congressional District. “Texas deserves better than Greg Abbott. Beto is running a campaign for the people of Texas, all the people of Texas, and I look forward to continue joining him on the campaign trail. Together we are ready to fight and deliver for the hard-working families of South Texas.”
Here is the list of Vallejo’s 100 endorsements:
Vallejo’s opponent in the open Congressional District 15 seat is Republican Party candidate Monica De La Cruz.
De La Cruz, a small business owner, recently announced an endorsement by the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Political Action Committee.
“Texas ranchers and landowners depend on capable representation in Washington, which is why we are proud to support Monica De La Cruz for Congress,” said Arthur Uhl, co-chairman of the TSCRA PAC. “Monica understands the importance of cutting burdensome federal regulations and taxes while protecting private property rights, so ranching families can keep land in their family and grow their businesses. She is the right choice to represent cattle producers in our nation’s capital.”
De La Cruz pointed out that Congressional District 15 covers broad swaths of rural Texan ranching and farming communities.
“Texans have long held a unique sense of pride in our great history of ranching. From the beginning with early Spanish ranching techniques implemented by the vaqueros and Tejano haciendas to the world-famous ranches of South Texas; this industry has had Texan roots. The hardworking members of today’s farm and agricultural community keep our children fed while providing jobs to the area. These families are cornerstones of their communities and deserve to thrive without government overreach,” De La Cruz said. “In Congress I will defend these businesses and landowners so they can continue to contribute to our nation’s food supply and remain an integral part of the fabric of Texan society.”
On Wednesday, Aug. 31, De La Cruz used the public comment period to the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council’s monthly meeting to address the group’s board of directors. Here is a video recording of her commentary:
Video
