Minority caucuses endorse Texas Afro-Latina for Congress

The political arms of the three major minority House caucuses endorsed Democrat Candace Valenzuela Tuesday.

Valenzuela is facing a July runoff against fellow Democrat Kim Olson.

The endorsement is the first granted to a congressional candidate in 2020 by the Tri-Caucus — the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Congressional Asian American Pacific American Caucus.

“Bold PAC is proud to stand with Aspire PAC and CBCPAC to support Candace Valenzuela, in Texas’ 24th run-off,” said Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), chairman of CHC Bold PAC.

“Candace is a Texas native who has faced and overcome hardships and yet has always found a way to give back and uplift her community. Candace is the type of leader we want in Congress and the leader our country needs right now,” added Cárdenas.

The winner of the Democratic runoff will face Republican Beth Van Duyne, a former mayor and Trump administration official, in the general election to fill retiring GOP Rep. Kenny Marchant’s seat.

Valenzuela, who raised more than $300,000 in the first quarter of 2020, is the only Latina challenger running in Texas this cycle.

The endorsement pits the Tri-Caucus against an establishment candidate, Olson, who’s been endorsed by major Dallas newspapers.

But Valenzuela’s supporters see her as a candidate to follow in the footsteps of Democratic Reps. Sylvia Garcia and Veronica Escobar, who in 2018 became the first Latinas to represent Texas in Congress.

“ASPIRE is excited to join BOLD PAC and CBCPAC in supporting Candace for TX-24. Candace is a proven champion for her community who understands the kitchen table issues that families face. I know that she will be a powerful voice for Texas families in Congress,” said Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Chair of ASPIRE.

Republicans are prepared to campaign on Olson’s negatives, as they did in 2018 when she ran unsuccessfully for Texas agriculture commissioner.

In 2016, Olson was investigated by the Pentagon for her role in a war-profiteering scandal, and she took a plea deal for lesser charges that allowed her to keep her rank and be honorably discharged from the Air Force.

Progressives supporting Valenzuela, including pro-choice electoral advocacy group Emily’s List, have cited Olson’s negatives while touting Valenzuela as a “perfect fit” for the Dallas-area district.

“Our citizens deserve leaders who understand the challenges of everyday Americans. The CBCPAC is proud to join with ASPIRE PAC and BOLD PAC to support Candace Valenzuela in her bid to represent the people in Texas’ 24th Congressional District,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), chairman of CBCPAC.