Progressive District Attorney Resigns to Run for U.S. Senate, Highlighting Fight Against Conservative Backlash

Progressive District Attorney Resigns to Run for U.S. Senate Seat in Texas

Mark A. Gonzalez, the progressive district attorney in Nueces County, Texas, has taken a bold step in response to conservative backlash against his policies – he has resigned from his position to run for the United States Senate. Gonzalez announced his decision to join the Democratic primary race to challenge Senator Ted Cruz next year, citing efforts to remove him from office as a driving force behind his decision.

In an interview, Gonzalez expressed his frustration with the attempts to oust him from his elected position, stating that it motivated him to seek a larger platform to represent Texans who want change. He highlighted issues such as preserving abortion rights, voting rights, and combating conservative efforts to limit the teaching of subjects like the United States’ racial history as key motivators for his Senate run.

Gonzalez’s campaign announcement video contrasts his actions during a winter storm crisis in Nueces County with Senator Cruz’s decision to vacation in Cancún during the same time. Despite the uphill battle of unseating a Republican incumbent in a predominantly red state like Texas, Gonzalez is confident in his ability to connect with voters, citing his background as a low-income individual with a criminal record as a point of relatability.

The former district attorney also addressed his past drunk-driving arrest in his resignation letter to Governor Greg Abbott, emphasizing the disparities in the criminal justice system based on wealth and connections. He called out conservative efforts to remove him from office, accusing them of using him as a “sacrificial lamb” to send a message to other progressive prosecutors in Texas.

Gonzalez’s decision to resign and run for Senate showcases his determination to fight for justice and equality, despite facing opposition from conservative forces. As he embarks on this new chapter in his political career, he remains committed to representing the voices of Texans who seek meaningful change in their government.