Democratic Party leaders and supporters are gearing up for the 2024 Texas Democratic Party Convention, set to take place in El Paso from Thursday, June 6, through Saturday, June 8, at the El Paso Convention Center. The convention will feature prominent Democrats from both state and national level, so what can we expect from the convention?
During the event, Democrats will engage in electing leadership, shaping their agenda for the upcoming session, and selecting the delegates who will represent them at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Prominent speakers are set to attend the event including former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinjosa, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar from El Paso and state Sen. Cesar Blanco.
Other figures such as U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas, and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio will also be in attendance. Additionally, David Hogg, a survivor of the Parkland shooting and a prominent advocate for gun control, will make an appearance.
According to the El Paso Times, the convention will likely prioritize gun control, as Hogg is a prominent figure in the issue and Giffords was nearly killed when she was shot in the head during an event in Arizona in 2011.
Allred also will likely be focusing on addressing the issue of abortion ban without exceptions for rape and incest in the state.
Other priorities will likely include voter empowerment, protection, and organizing. Various caucuses, including those addressing Indigenous Peoples’ rights, labor, youth, and reproductive freedom, will convene to elect leadership and set goals for the future.
While President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign will not have an official surrogate present, key members of his team, such as Escobar and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, will be there to rally support and ensure Texas Democrats are energized for the upcoming election.
