As the newly proposed congressional map for Texas heads into last-minute negotiations, Rep. Lloyd Doggett announced his candidacy on Monday for the new district located entirely in Travis County.
Doggett asked Austinites for their vote in his run for the new District 37 seat at the site of Bryker Woods Elementary, where he attended as a kid. Getting choked up, Doggett said he has always wanted to be back representing “a united Austin.”
The new district, which is one of two the state earned after a population boom seen in the 2020 Census, “packs” the Democrat vote into one instead of “cracking” it. The proposed congressional map, put together by Republican lawmakers, has gained criticism for manipulating district boundaries that threaten Hispanic control when half of new residents are Hispanic identifying.
Doggett has been serving in Congress since 1995, representing District 35 (East Austin to San Antonio) since 2010. District 37 closely resembles a district Doggett has previously represented.
“I’m in Congress today, not only because of neighbors from Dove Spring… but because people in San Antonio, San Marcos, Kyle and Lockhart, they had confidence in me… I will never forget their confidence and will continue to vigorously represent both their individual and community concerns.”
In Congress, he said his goals remain to:
- protect democracy
- strengthen healthcare access
- respond to the climate crisis
- reform the immigration system
- promote educational opportunities
- make sure Austin concerns are addressed
Initial endorsements for his candidacy include 1,000 Travis County citizens. Among those citizens are state senators, Travis County commissioners, Mayor Steve Adler and six council members.
News Credit
Author: Sonia Garcia
Publisher: Austonia
Date: Oct. 18, 2021
