Campaigning in Texas’s 15th Congressional District: A Look at the Final Stretch
Progressive Democrat Michelle Vallejo is making a final push in her campaign for Texas’s 15th Congressional District, holding a rally in McAllen, Texas, as early voting approaches. Vallejo, a political newcomer and owner of a local flea market, is facing tough competition from Republican opponent Monica De La Cruz.
Local concerns about economic hardship have been raised, with some voters feeling that the candidates are focusing too much on culture wars and not enough on bread-and-butter issues like rising gas prices and food costs. Vallejo has tried to address these concerns in her campaign ads, highlighting her opponent’s support for millionaire tax cuts and discussing the struggle to pay for essentials.
However, Vallejo’s campaign has struggled to break free from national party associations and compete with De La Cruz’s heavy spending on ads emphasizing crime, inflation, and border security. The region’s changing demographics and economic landscape have made it challenging for Vallejo to connect with a shifting base of working-class voters.
Despite these challenges, Vallejo has garnered support from organizations like LUPE Votes, which focuses on improving living conditions in unincorporated neighborhoods lacking basic infrastructure. Vallejo’s campaign is also backed by progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and Jessica Cisneros, who see her as a coalition-builder and a leader in creating progressive infrastructure in South Texas.
As the election nears, Vallejo faces a lack of outside campaign cash and support from national Democrats, who have shifted their resources to other races. This has led to frustration among Texas Democrats, who feel that progressive candidates like Vallejo are being overlooked in favor of more establishment-minded incumbents.
Despite the obstacles, Vallejo remains determined to fight for the people of Texas’s 15th Congressional District, urging supporters to stand up against outside interests trying to influence the election. With early voting underway, the race is heating up as Vallejo and De La Cruz vie for the opportunity to represent the state’s most competitive district.
