Thank you, everyone, for joining us tonight. Buenas Noches. I am Michelle Vallejo and I am so excited to be here with you all tonight.
I would like to start off by thanking the Tejano Democrats for hosting us, Beto O’Rourke for coming out and joining us, and each and every one of you for showing up tonight for this beautiful celebration.
Together we are going to show the world that Democrats are going to win big in South Texas in 2022. We know what it means to work hard and to fight for what we believe in.
So I would like to start by telling you why I am ready to fight for our home in Washington, D.C. I am running for Congress because I come from a big family of immigrants, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. And I know what it means to fight hard, roll up your sleeves and to fight for our dream.
Growing up, my parents did a little bit of everything but running Pulga Los Portales is what has fundamentally defined our work ethic and family values. And when I was just four years old my Mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This changed my life and my family’s life forever. And I saw how hard my family had to struggle in order to access healthcare for my Mom, and travel to Mexico and travel out of this region in order for her to have a chance.
But, unfortunately, she passed away after 15 years of battling MS when I was studying at Columbia University and away from home.
And I know that my story is not unique to every family in South Texas. And that is why I am fighting.
When this happened it put it in very clear perspective that I had to come back home, work with my community and work with my family in order to fight for a better life. And that is exactly what I did. I came back to the Rio Grande Valley, I stepped up and I got to work with my Dad at Pulga Los Portales.
I have volunteered at immigrants’ rights organizations, I have co-founded two organizations to support women in business and other community leaders throughout all of South Texas and now I have been nominated to fight for our pueblo in Congress. And that is exactly what I am going to do.
We are at a critical moment for the future of our home. And I am so proud to have earned the endorsement of the Hidalgo County Tejano Democrats. And I am so excited to be here celebrating with all of you tonight. Together we are going to be knocking on thousands of doors, making thousands of calls and showing the world that South Texas is a Democratic stronghold.
With Tejano Democrats by our side and Beto at the top of our ticket we are going to keep this seat blue. And we are going to make history by sending the first woman to Congress from Texas’ 15th ever.
My name is Michelle Vallejo and I am running to fight for our pueblo in Congress. Muchas gracias y Vamos por Quince.
Editor’s Note: The above speech was given by Texas Congressional District 15 candidate Michelle Vallejo at a rally hosted by the Hidalgo County Tejano Democrats and held on the premises of the First City Loan Company in Donna on Saturday. February 19, 2022. The rally was addressed by primary election candidates that have been endorsed by the Hidalgo County Tejano Democrats, including Vallejo. The keynote speaker was Beto O’Rourke, Democratic Party candidate for governor of Texas.
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