Texas Democrats Rally in El Paso: Platform Adopted, Eyes on November

The Texas Democratic Party Convention is over and Democrats are preparing for the fall campaign with a new platform and a clearer strategy, despite internal divisions over immigration and international conflicts. 

During the Texas Democratic Party’s three-day convention in El Paso, party leaders and activists focused on uniting behind their candidates and sharpening their message for November. The central themes included defying Republican “extremism,” advocating for abortion rights, public education, and gun control, and warning against a potential second Trump presidency.

According to the Dallas Morning News, on Saturday, delegates unanimously adopted a platform that supports the right to abortion, the repeal of the state’s border security law, and opposition to public funding for private schools. Delegates voted on the 64-page platform near the conclusion of the three-day convention.

While much of the platform focused on the 2025 legislative session, it also addressed the Israel-Hamas conflict. The platform recognized Israel’s right to exist within secure borders and supported the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state. It also advocated for the rebuilding of Gaza and the West Bank following the destruction from recent conflicts.

Despite the discourse to unify against the GOP’s hard-right stance, there was some evident division within Democrats. Some convention attendees voiced concerns over progressive discontent with Biden’s policies, particularly his support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The convention also took place shortly after Biden issued an executive order restricting migrants’ ability to claim asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, a move criticized by several Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar. Escobar expressed disappointment in the administration’s policy but acknowledged the need for substantial border policy changes.

Speakers and delegates largely downplayed the immigration rift, framing Biden’s executive order as a necessary response to Republican obstruction of a bipartisan border deal.

The platform also called to fight against Abbott’s border policies, including Operation Lone Star, which has cost over $10 billion since 2021, and Senate Bill 4, the law that allows state officers to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants.

However, there were some topics that were left unattended. According to Texas Scorecard, attendees fled the convention before a debate on a new rule proposal that would add a “no preference” option to the presidential primary ballot.

On Saturday afternoon, as fewer delegates were present, Democratic Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa announced there were not enough people left to officially conduct business.

Delegates disagreed and voted to challenge his decision. Even though most delegates supported the challenge, they still didn’t have enough people for the vote to count.