The Democrat race for the U.S. Senate in Texas has just become even more crowded with the Monday morning addition of State Sen. Royce West (Dallas).
West made the announcement official in a video posted to his brand-new campaign website shortly before an official campaign kickoff in Dallas, where he was joined by several other Democrat elected officials including State Sen. Jose Menéndez (San Antonio) and State Reps. Nicole Collier (Fort Worth), and Terry Meza (Irving).
Mike Collier, the failed Democrat candidate for lieutenant governor who ran against Dan Patrick last year, will serve as West’s campaign treasurer.
In the bio posted on his website, West—who has served in the Texas Senate since 1993—touts his liberal views on issues from gun control to abortion:
Senator West advocated with parents and teachers to achieve world-class education for students, championed criminal justice reform, supported workers seeking fair wages, and advocated for common-sense gun legislation like banning assault weapons and having universal background checks.
Royce promoted and defended women’s reproductive rights, stood with immigrant rights communities for comprehensive immigration reform, and marched with students seeking fair voting rights. He also championed expansion of healthcare opportunities for Texans and provided subsidized foster care alternatives to grandparents, as well as other family members.
West also noted in his campaign announcement that 10 of the 12 Democrat members of the Texas Senate had encouraged him to run for the seat, along with 47 of the 67 Democrats in the Texas House.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who currently holds the seat, referred to West as an “Elizabeth Warren clone” in a statement released by his campaign manager on Friday.
West enters an ever-growing field of Democrat candidates, including failed Congressional candidate MJ Hegar, Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, and former Congressman Chris Bell.
Meanwhile, Cornyn currently holds no announced Republican opposition at the time, though the filing deadline is in December.
