Former President Barack Obama is wedging his way into Texas political news, endorsing several Democrat candidates running for the state legislature.
Among the endorsements Obama announced today are Julie Johnson, the Democrat running against taxpayer champion State Rep. Matt Rinaldi (R–Irving) and Rhetta Bowers, the Democrat running against conservative Jonathan Boos for the state House seat currently held by State Rep. Cindy Burkett in east Dallas County.
Today, I’m proud to endorse even more Democratic candidates who aren’t just running against something, but for something—to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service. They deserve your vote: pic.twitter.com/NO5jnhX3XD
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 1, 2018
It remains to be seen, however, just how the endorsements will play in the Lone Star State, which has soundly rejected Obama twice, in 2008 and 2012 — both times by double-digit margins.
Rinaldi took the endorsement in stride, joking on Twitter that the former president was “just mad because I didn’t vote for him.”
He’s just mad because I didn’t vote for him. #tcot #txlege https://t.co/v2P082fLvQ
— Matt Rinaldi (@MattRinaldiTX) October 1, 2018
Texans will have their chance to weigh in on Obama’s endorsed candidates next month in the November 6 general election. Both Rinaldi and Boos are endorsed by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility.
