Cascade of endorsements animates Texas' Democratic U.S. Senate runoff upended by coronavirus

[TexasTowelie]

by Patrick Svitek, Texas Tribune


As the novel coronavirus continues to freeze plans for in-person campaigning, Texas' top primary runoff has been increasingly animated by a flurry of endorsements that speak to broader divides between the candidates.

In recent weeks, the two Democrats vying to be their party's U.S. Senate nominee, MJ Hegar and Royce West, have received nearly two dozen endorsements, ranging from College Democrats chapters to heavyweight national groups. Along the way, the endorsements have helped fortify each campaign's central pitch in the runoff, with Hegar's backers touting her as Democrats' best shot against Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and West's allies promoting his deep experience in the Texas Senate and Democratic Party.

"I believe that the way the endorsements have broken out in this race show a strong desire by organizations and individuals, and ultimately the voters, to seek out the true Democrat in this race," West spokesman Vince Leibowitz said in a statement, echoing a growing campaign refrain implying West has been a far more committed Democrat than Hegar has over the years.

Hegar's campaign has mostly disregarded the increasingly explicit contrast so far, seeking to maintain a focus on the general election that dates back to the primary.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/13/texas-democrat-senate-runoff/