Liberal Lawmakers Form New ‘Progressive Caucus’

In what they call a “response to increasingly radical, right-wing laws that hurt Texans, coupled with a rapidly growing progressive movement in Texas,” 20 House Democrat lawmakers created the new Texas House Progressive Caucus on Thursday.

“It’s time for us to get to work for the people’s priorities: fair and free elections, healthcare, climate action, good-paying jobs, public schools, and treating people with dignity, not discrimination. It’s time for elected officials to truly be the voice of the people – and the Caucus will be the people’s platform, their bully pulpit, and reflect Texas values in action and policy” said State Rep. Ron Reynolds (D–Missouri City), chairman of the newly formed caucus.

Other members of the caucus include Democrat State Reps. Jasmine Crockett (Dallas), Ana-Maria Ramos (Richardson), Penny Morales Shaw (Houston), Claudia Ordaz Perez (El Paso), Philip Cortez (San Antonio), Trey Martinez Fischer (San Antonio), Gina Hinojosa (Austin), Diego Bernal (San Antonio), Sheryl Cole (Austin), Christina Morales (Houston), Joe Deshotel (Beaumont), Carl Sherman Sr. (DeSoto), Shawn Thierry (Houston), Jessica Gonzalez (Dallas), Celia Israel (Austin), Ray Lopez (San Antonio), Eddie Rodriguez (Austin), Ramon Romero Jr. (Ft. Worth), and Rafael Anchia (Dallas).

Notably, all of the caucus members were participants in the quorum bust that paralyzed the House for 37 days, preventing them from conducting legislative business. Of the membership, three serve as chairmen and six serve as vice chairman of standing House committees, which include the House Committees on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services, Public Education, House Administration, Urban Affairs, Land & Resource Management, Elections, Human Services, International Relations & Economic Development, and Ways & Means.

Other existing caucuses in the Texas House of Representatives include the House Republican Caucus, House Democratic Caucus, Texas Freedom Caucus, Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Texas Legislative Black Caucus, and the Texas Legislative Study Group.

Jeramy Kitchen

Jeramy Kitchen serves as the Capitol Correspondent for Texas Scorecard as well as host of 'This Week in Texas', a show previewing the week ahead in Texas politics. After managing campaigns for conservative legislators across the state, serving as Chief of Staff for multiple conservative state legislators, and serving as Legislative Director for the largest public policy think tank in Texas, Jeramy moved outside of the Austin bubble to focus on bringing transparency to the legislative process.