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CHICAGO — Texans will play a key role at the Democratic National Convention, speaking on issues ranging from abortion rights to the future of political parties in the state.
Two members of the congressional delegation, Reps. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and Veronica Escobar of El Paso, have confirmed they will speak on the convention’s main stage. Rep. Crockett will speak on Monday, and Rep. Escobar will emcee the convention on Thursday.
Amanda Zulawski, who filed a lawsuit challenging Texas’ strict abortion laws, is also scheduled to speak on the main stage, along with youth activist Olivia Giuliana. President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are also scheduled to take the stage on Monday.
Speaking on the main stage at a convention is a big deal, especially for up-and-coming politicians the party sees as promising. This year’s convention has a more ceremonial feel to it after the party nominated Vice President Kamala Harris as its presidential candidate in a virtual vote earlier this month.
Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Collin Allred has not been announced as a speaker, but more speakers may be announced this week. The Democratic National Committee has released little of its speaker list. Allred is scheduled to address the Texas delegation at a breakfast on Thursday, during which the delegation will outline talking points. Allred’s campaign is one of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s main targets this term. Cruz won reelection in 2018 by just 3 percentage points against former Rep. Beto O’Rourke.
Crockett, a freshman congresswoman, has emerged as a star communicator for the Democratic Party, often clashing with Republicans in committee meetings and videos of her often going viral.
Escobar was national co-chair of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, a role he held when Biden was leading. Escobar represents the border district of El Paso and has been a leading Democratic voice on humanitarian border issues. The border is a major issue for Texas voters and one of the Democratic Party’s biggest weaknesses this term.
Zwirski sued the state of Texas after doctors refused to terminate her pregnancy despite complications that were fatal to the fetus and endangered her own health. Since the Texas Supreme Court ruled against her, Zwirski has represented Democrats across the country. At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, she spoke in opposition to Biden, who was then running for president, alongside Escobar.
At last month’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, several Texans, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Cruz, spoke on the main stage, as did Rep. Ronny Jackson of Amarillo, Rep. Monica de la Cruz of McAllen and Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston. Rep. de la Cruz and Rep. Hunt are both freshman lawmakers who have played leading roles in the GOP’s outreach to Latino and black voters.
Texas will have a big presence at the Democratic National Convention beyond the main stage. The state has 273 delegates, the third-most of any state in the nation behind California and New York, and several elected officials will address the Texas delegation throughout the week. The delegation will have breakfast together each morning and listen to speakers.
U.S. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher (Houston), Mark Veasey (Fort Worth), Greg Cassar (Austin) and Allred (D-Ore.) are scheduled to speak at the delegate breakfast.
Vesey helped propel Harris to the top of the list. Last month, he became the second Texan to call on Biden to withdraw from the race after Biden’s poor debate performance shook Democrats’ confidence in his candidacy. Rep. Lloyd Doggett was the first Democrat in Congress to call on Biden to step aside. He plans to attend the convention but is not scheduled to speak.
State Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Farmers Branch) is also scheduled to speak at the breakfast. Johnson is the Democratic candidate for the seat Allred is vacating when she runs for Senate. She will face Republican Darrell Day in November for a seat the Democrats can be sure of winning. State Sen. Cesar Blanco will also address the Texas delegation. Former House candidate Gina Ortiz Jones is also listed as a speaker at the breakfast.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg spoke at the delegate breakfast on Monday. Nirenberg has traveled around the country with the Harris campaign as a campaign surrogate.
“We may not be in the swing states yet, but we know what it means to fight every day in Republican states, to fight for our schools, for health care, for workers’ rights, for women to have their basic right to autonomy,” Nirenberg said.
Escobar and Casar are scheduled to speak at various national caucuses on the sidelines of the convention. Escobar will address the Women’s Caucus on Tuesday. Casar will address the Youth Caucus on Tuesday and the Hispanic Caucus on Wednesday.
Voting FAQs: 2024 Election
When is the next election? What dates do I need to know?
The general election election is November 5, with early voting taking place from October 21 to November 1. The deadline to register to vote and/or change your voter registration address is October 7. Applications to vote by mail must arrive in your county of residence by October 25 (no postmark required).
What is your vote in the general election?
In addition to President, Texas voters have the opportunity to vote for many Texas officials running for office at the federal, state and local levels.
This includes representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Texas House of Representatives, as well as the following elected offices: – One U.S. Senator (Ted Cruz) – One of three Railroad Commissioners – 15 State Senators – Seven State Board of Education members – Three Texas Supreme Court Justices – Three Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judges – Five Chief Justices and various judges on the Texas Court of Appeals
– Lesser judges and local county offices will also be on the ballot: – Various local judges, including criminal and family courts – County courts – Justices of the Peace – District Attorney – County Attorney – Sheriff – Constable – Tax Assessor
How do I check if I’m registered to vote?
You can find out if you’re registered and verify your information on the Texas Secretary of State’s website. To log in, you’ll need one of three combinations: Your Texas driver’s license number and date of birth. Your name, date of birth, and county of residence. Your date of birth and the unique voter identifier found on your voter registration card.
What if I’m not registered to vote?
You can request a prepaid application by mail or pick one up at your county registrar’s office, some post offices, government offices, or high schools, or you can print an online application and mail it to your county registrar.
Applications must be postmarked by the deadline of October 7. Download the application here.
Additionally, you can register to vote through the Texas Department of Public Safety when you renew your driver’s license. If your driver’s license also allows you to renew online, you may be able to register to vote online, which is the only online registration method available in the state.
After you register to vote, you will receive a voter registration certificate within 30 days. This certificate contains voter information, including your unique voter identification number, which you will need to update your voter registration online. If there is any incorrect information on your certificate, you should make the corrections and send it to your local registrar of voters as soon as possible.
Your voter registration card may also be used as a second form of identification when voting if you do not have one of the seven state-approved photo IDs.
What if I have questions about voting?
Contact your county elections official or call the Texas Secretary of State’s helpline at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683). A coalition of voting rights groups also offers assistance with election concerns through their voter protection helpline at 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683). The coalition also has hotlines available in other languages. Disability Rights Texas also provides assistance to voters with disabilities.
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The full program is now live for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival, taking place September 5-7 in downtown Austin. Check out the program, which features more than 100 unforgettable conversations on a variety of topics, including education, the economy, Texas and national politics, criminal justice, the border, the 2024 election and more. View the full program.
