2020 Democratic hopefuls flock to trendy SXSW festival

[TexasTowelie]

AUSTIN, Texas — Here’s an unlikely can’t-miss stop for the 2020 Democratic field: Texas.

Starting Saturday, the state will host a slate of Democratic presidential contenders at the trendy and techie South by Southwest Festival in Austin. Texas is an early primary state, but the real draw of SXSW for Democrats is face time with the party’s ascendant young and liberal wing.

Former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke is expected to attend the premiere of a documentary film chronicling his longshot U.S. Senate campaign that ended in a narrow loss. O’Rourke hasn’t announced if he’s running for president.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota are first up at SXSW on Saturday. Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee will speak Sunday.

Read more: https://nypost.com/2019/03/09/2020-democratic-hopefuls-flock-to-trendy-sxsw-festival/

On Sunday, CNN will be holding a presidential town hall during SXSW with John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, and Pete Buttigieg.

Cross-posted in the Democratic Primaries forum.

[flying_wahini]

1. Thanks for the warning....traffic is so bad already will be sure to avoid it!

Love to see them but sadly the crowds & traffic ruins the fun of it.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I used to avoid it also.

When I was living in Austin back in th 90s the wristbands used to go for $120. Since I worked a day job, it wasn't worth spending that much to only see a couple of bands play. The social media aspect of the event didn't really grow until after I left Austin.

I used to know every nook, cranny, and alley of downtown Austin since I moved around several office buildings and had friends in a few bands. It's been about seven years since I've been downtown so I know that things have changed considerably.