State Rep. Ron Reynolds says it’s up to delegates and elected leaders to bring the excitement of the Democratic National Convention back to Texas.
DALLAS — Democratic Rep. Ron Reynolds of Missouri City was one of the first Democrats to call on President Biden to drop out of the race following his poor debate performance.
And Houston-area Democrats say they’ve heard it.
“They told me I was going to run in the primary. I was a DINO, a Democrat in name only,” Rep. Reynolds told Inside Texas Politics.
Rep. Reynolds was a national delegate to the Democratic National Convention and watched up close as Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, becoming the first Black and South Asian woman to be nominated.
While Harris said she hasn’t heard any apologies from those who harshly criticized her stance, she has heard many people express joy that she is now the official candidate.
“We’re seeing record fundraising, we’re seeing record enthusiasm, there’s optimism, there’s energy, it’s mind-blowing. So I feel vindicated. I feel vindicated,” the Democrat said.
Reynolds said the hard part is now: bringing the energy and excitement of the convention back to Texas. That’s job No. 1 for local delegates, candidates and even precinct chairs, he said.
And Reynolds acknowledges that it won’t be easy.
“I’m not going to sit here and lie and say Texas is going to flip to the Democrats, but I think it could be. The demographics are there. Texas has more African-Americans than any other state,” Reynolds said. “I think Kamala Harris is the X-factor that’s going to play a very important role in taking back the seats we need in the Texas Legislature.”
Texas may not be a battleground state, but it is a state of opportunity, Reynolds said.
The Texas congressman, who chairs the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, said Harris’ candidacy has sent shock waves through the African-American community and argued it will help lower-ranking candidates in urban areas.
“Houston, Dallas, San Antonio. I believe there’s going to be an opportunity for Democrats to win,” Reynolds said.
Asked if she thought there were major pitfalls Harris faces between now and Election Day, Reynolds pointed to race and gender.
“I think there are still people out there who, frankly, are very concerned about whether a woman can be president, and I think we’re poised to break that glass ceiling,” Reynolds said. “Some people say there might be a double negative because she’s African-American, Indian and a woman. I think we have to break that cycle. So that’s a challenge she’s going to have to overcome.”
Early voting will take place from October 21st to November 1st.
Election Day is November 5th and polling stations will be open from 7am to 7pm.
