Texas primaries: Progressive women see mixed results in congressional races

Texas – Progressives saw big victories after Greg Casar won his primary for Texas' 35th congressional district and Jessica Cisneros advanced to the runoff for the 28th district, but they weren't the only exciting candidates on the ballot on Tuesday. Several other kick-ass women put everything on the line, pledging to fight for working Texans in Congress. Here's how they fared.

Claudia Zapata will advance to a runoff in the Democratic primary for Texas' 21st congressional district.
Claudia Zapata will advance to a runoff in the Democratic primary for Texas' 21st congressional district.  © Collage: Screenshots/Twitter/Claudia Zapata for TX-21

The daughter of working-class Texans of Mexican descent, Claudia Zapata has run an unapologetically progressive campaign for Texas' 21st congressional district.

She wants to deliver on Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, campaign finance reform, and many other progressive priorities.

Seeking to represent a largely rural district, Zapata says she will fight to improve access to affordable food and housing, as well as build more hospitals in the area.

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Her message seems to have hit home with many everyday Texans, as she earned 47.3% of the votes in the district with 95% reporting, according to the Associated Press.

Though she didn't get enough votes to win the primary outright, she does have the opportunity to advance to a runoff with Ricardo Villarreal, who received 27.1% of the vote.

Based on those numbers, it looks like Zapata has a pretty good shot of coming away with the nomination, though she can't afford to let up for a second.

Whoever wins the runoff in May will take on Republican incumbent Chip Roy in the general election in November.

Michelle Vallejo (TX-15)

Michelle Vallejo narrowly qualified for the runoff in the Democratic primary for Texas' 15th congressional district.
Michelle Vallejo narrowly qualified for the runoff in the Democratic primary for Texas' 15th congressional district.  © Michelle Vallejo for Congress

After incumbent Democrat Vicente Gonzalez announced he would run in the neighboring 34th district after redistricting, community organizer Michelle Vallejo saw her chance.

Vallejo has lit up the race for the state's 15th congressional district with her contagious energy and love for her South Texas home – as well as her vision to deliver progressive change for the area.

If elected, Vallejo plans to focus on Medicare for All, affordable and accessible education, minimum wage increases, and comprehensive immigration reform, she told TAG24 in an interview.

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She believes she has the right message when it comes time to defeating a GOP contender in November, saying that a candidate like herself who speaks to people's immediate needs is the one who will come away with the votes.

She's even attracted attention in Washington, earning the endorsement of Sen. Elizabeth Warren just one day before the election.

In the crowded race, Vallejo pulled through, garnering 20.1% of the vote – enough to send her to the runoff election in May.

Vallejo was battling it out for a spot in the runoff against John Villarreal Rigney, who conceded via Facebook shortly before she posted the big news on Twitter.

Next, she will go one-on-one against Ruben Ramirez, who secured 28.3% of the primary vote.

The winner of that contest will face Republican nominee Monica de la Cruz in the general.

Beatriz Reynoso (TX-34)

South Texas veteran Beatriz Reynoso was running a progressive congressional campaign in Texas' 34th district.
South Texas veteran Beatriz Reynoso was running a progressive congressional campaign in Texas' 34th district.  © Beatriz Reynoso for Congress

When conservative congressman Vicente Gonzalez announced he would run in Texas-34, Democratic challengers in the race knew they would have an uphill battle to win the nomination.

That didn't stop Harlingen native and Air Force veteran Beatriz Reynoso from giving her all in the race.

Reynoso centered her campaign on a number of progressive priorities, including improving healthcare access and affordability, increasing the minimum wage, providing a pathway to citizenship, and legalizing marijuana.

A firm believer in paying people for their work, Reynoso managed every aspect of her own campaign on her limited personal budget, she told TAG24 in an interview. She even enrolled in courses to learn how to design and produce her own digital and print materials.

Unfortunately, her passion and drive weren't enough to overcome the sitting congressman's advantage this time around.

Gonzalez came away with 64.7% of the vote, while Reynoso won 3.5%.

Gonzalez will advance to the general election against Republican nominee Mayra Flores.

Jessica Mason (TX-30)

South Dallas native Jessica Mason was running to represent Texas' 30th congressional district.
South Dallas native Jessica Mason was running to represent Texas' 30th congressional district.  © Collage: Screenshots/Instagram/jessicamasontx30

South Dallas native and Navy veteran Jessica Mason ran in the Democratic primary for Texas' 30th congressional district on a platform of Medicare for All, bold climate action, universal pre-K, tuition-free college, affordable housing, labor protections, and sweeping criminal justice reforms.

Mason had Nina Turner – a prominent leader in the contemporary US progressive movement – on her side.

Nevertheless, it was clear that the path to the nomination would not be an easy one, especially as she was taking on former state Rep. Jasmine Crockett, heavily favored to win.

Crockett, who also bills herself as a progressive, received endorsements from Our Revolution and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

But she has come under fire from the left after hundreds of thousands of dollars in corporate PAC money poured into the race in her favor.

Mason ran an entirely grassroots-funded campaign, but it wasn't enough to push her over the edge. She came away with 3.4% of the vote with 95% reporting.

With 48.5% of the vote, Crockett will advance to the runoff with second-place finisher Jane Hamilton, who received 17%.

Republican candidates James Harris and James Rodgers will also advance to a runoff.

Democratic primary runoffs are slated for May 24. Winners of those contests will progress to the general election on November 8.

Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/Jessica Mason for Congress, Screenshot/Twitter/Claudia Zapata for TX-21, Michelle Vallejo for Congress & Beatriz Reynoso for Congress

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