Democratic congressional candidate Michelle Vallejo continues to attract support from statewide leaders, drawing endorsements from current, former and aspiring Democratic elected officials.
Democrats from the conservative to the progressive wing of the party have publicly backed Vallejo in her effort to keep the district blue as she runs for District 15 against Republican candidate Monica De La Cruz.
The latest endorsement has come from gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke whose campaign issued a statement last week throwing his support behind her candidacy.
“Beto O’Rourke endorses Michelle Vallejo for Congress,” the statement read. “Together, we can overcome the divisions and extremism in Texas and unite people around the popular, bipartisan things that Texans want to achieve together: great jobs, world-class schools, the ability to see a doctor, and finally fixing the grid.”
O’Rourke’s endorsement came just after Vallejo’s campaign released a list of 100 Texas leaders that had endorsed her so far.
The list included U.S. Reps Henry Cuellar, Vicente Gonzalez, Veronica Escobar and Joaquin Castro, former U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa as well as former congressional candidate Jessica Cisneros who ran against Cuellar in the March Democratic Primary.
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, former Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia, and Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez were also listed.
Several state representatives have backed her including Oscar Longoria, Sergio Muñoz Jr., Armando Martinez, and Terry Canales.
From elsewhere throughout the district, Brooks County Commissioner Rolando Gutierrez, Jim Wells County Commissioners Wicho Gonzalez and Margie Gonzalez, and Jim Wells County Sheriff Danny Bueno have endorsed her as well.
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De La Cruz has also continued to garner support from prominent Republican leaders and conservative groups.
Last week, her campaign announced the endorsement of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Political Action Committee.
“Texas ranchers and landowners depend on capable representation in Washington, which is why we are proud to support Monica De La Cruz for Congress,” Arthur Uhl, co-chairman of the TSCRA PAC, said in a statement. “Monica understands the importance of cutting burdensome federal regulations and taxes while protecting private property rights, so ranching families can keep land in their family and grow their businesses. She is the right choice to represent cattle producers in our nation’s capital.”
De La Cruz previously earned the endorsement of former President Donald Trump as well as Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold S. Zwicke, and Live Oak County Sheriff Larry R. Busby.
She’s also been endorsed by Texas Right to Life, a prominent anti-abortion group, the Edinburg Police Organization, and the Texas Municipal Police Association.
With the race on the verge of early voting next month, the two have continued their respective campaigns without much interaction, though not for lack of trying.
Vallejo challenged De La Cruz to a series of debates and had agreed to a candidate forum hosted by Futuro RGV. De La Cruz, however, did not respond to Vallejo’s request nor to Futuro RGV’s invitation.
Early voting runs from Oct. 24 through Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8.
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