6/16/2020
The Campaign of State Sen. Royce West on Monday announced a number of new marquee endorsements, including former Texas Agriculture Commissioner and nationally known progressive icon Jim Hightower, Congressman Cedric Richmond, national co-chair of the Biden Campaign and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and civil rights attorney Ben Crump. The campaign also announced the endorsement of the Mexican American Democrats of Texas.
"I am honored to have received each of these endorsements," said West. "Texas Democrats are looking for a true Democrat to lead them toward November and to work to turn Texas Blue. I'm honored that so many other Democrats are coming out and supporting to become our party's nominee for U.S. Senate, because I will be the leader to turn Texas blue," West said.
Information on each endorsement:
HIGHTOWER: Hightower formally announced his endorsement late Friday, noting, "It is my honor to endorse a leader like Royce West, who will actually lead, rather than just serve as a lapdog for Trump and the corporate powers," Hightower noted in his endorsement, which was delivered first to campaign subscribers to West's email list as a surprise mid-evening Friday.
RICHMOND: Richmond noted: "We need more leaders in Washington who are willing to work with their colleagues to address key issues including public education, climate change, and civil rights. Senator West's diversity of experience on a wide variety of policy issues will benefit Texas tremendously," Richmond noted.
CRUMP: Benjamin Crump is a longtime civil rights attorney who represented the families of Treyvon Martin and Michael Brown, and currently represents the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. WATCH Crump's endorsement here: https://youtu.be/d4tOAhANuaI
MEXICAN AMERICAN DEMOCRATS OF TEXAS: This one was released a couple of weeks ago during the height of COVID coverage, and appears to have been missed by all outlets in Texas and nationally. Roberto "Junior" Alonzo, the MAD Executive Committee member from State Sen. District 23, had this to say in releasing the endorsement: "Mexican American Democrats are pleased to endorse Royce West for U.S. Senate. We believe Senator West’s experience and advocacy on behalf of all Texans makes him the best candidate in this race. We encourage all Mexican American Democrats to make Royce their choice on July 14.”
"Texas Democrats know that Royce West is the right candidate for our state and our party at this critical time in our nation's history," said Vince Leibowitz, Communications Director for the West campaign. "Texas Democrats don't want to be in the arms of a stranger, pretending it is love when it comes to picking their U.S. Senate nominee. Royce West is a true Democrat who Texans know and trust," he continued. "Royce West can be counted on to bring about the change Texans and all Americans want to see," he concluded.