Thread by @MikeSiegelTX

A #TX10 YEAR IN REVIEW

DC "wisdom" says a Congressional campaign should raise money, send out mail, buy TV ads, repeat.

I've committed to running a campaign that takes direct action for the community year-round, election year and off year. Here's what we accomplished in 2019:

#1 FIGHTING VOTE SUPPRESSION

In 2018 we made national news standing up for the voting rights of students of Prairie View A&M, a historically-black college in Waller County in #TX10.

msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/…

In 2019, we took action again...

2019 started with interim Texas Secretary of State David Whitley trying to purge 95,000 naturalized citizens--predominantly Mexican-American--from the voter rolls.

We mobilized folks from across #TX10 oppose Whitley's confirmation. And we won!
tlcsenate.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.ph…

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX In May, the Texas Legislature banned early voting locations serving students and seniors, a cynical ploy to win in 2020.

To fight back, I joined with @texasyds, @CollegeDemsTX, and a 96-year old military veteran to sue the Texas Secretary of State.
houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/…

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX The right to vote is the most fundamental right in a democratic society.

In Texas, we not only contend with the legalized bribery of corporate PAC $$$, but the playing field is rigged, with massive vote suppression and gerrymandering.

Still, the resistance is strong....

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX #2 PROTECTING RURAL HOSPITALS

A huge issue in #TX10 is the rural hospital crisis. Republicans refused Medicaid expansion, but hospitals must provide indigent care. Without federal reimbursements, three hospitals have closed in ten years.

Another is threatened in La Grange...

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX Fayette County Democrats are organizing to keep open St. Mark's hospital. Without this facility, local folks will have terrible travel times to access quality care.

We brought cars of volunteers to knock doors this spring, to support local action to keep St. Mark's open.

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX I'm the only Democrat running in #TX10 who supports #MedicareForAll. Without a comprehensive, universal federal healthcare program, it is the most vulnerable who are left behind.

Until we get MFA in place, we will have to fight tooth and nail to protect care in each community...

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX #3 PROTECTING OUR CLIMATE & PLANET

#TX10 is a complex district to discuss climate issues. We have leading environmental orgs in Austin, but we also have a coal plant in Fayette and many oil & gas workers in the Houston "oil patch."

We are also facing unprecendented disasters...

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX In Houston we've had five "500 year floods" in five years, exacerbated by human-caused climate change.

Meanwhile, the Fayette Coal plant pollutes our air and water. I've made closing the plant a signature campaign issue:

https://twitter.com/SiegelForTexas/status/1176466311414788096?s=20

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX I'm the only #TX10 candidate supporting a #GreenNewDeal.

I'm sensitive to the needs of energy workers who are at risk as we shift from fossil fuels. That's why we organized the 1st Texas Town Hall on the GND to discuss how we protect jobs and families:

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX #4 SUPPORTING LOCAL CANDIDATES

In a massive states like Texas, Congressional campaigns best positioned to unite the top and bottom of our ticket.

We take that to heart, which is why we went to Bastrop County to knock doors for Dock Jackson in June...
statesman.com/news/20190608/…

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX Dock is a community legend, who ran to replace a Republican on the Bastrop City Council.

On election day, #SiegelForTexas volunteers knocked hundreds of doors. And Dock won by 33 votes!

Bastrop is a swing county in 2020. I'm honored to have Dock's endorsement.

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX @BastropDems #5 JUSTICE FOR RODNEY REED

2019 brought attention to Texas for the wrong reasons as it sought to execute Rodney Reed.

Rodney's case is an example of Jim Crow justice: a white suspect not investigated, DNA evidence not tested, a biased prosecutor...

https://twitter.com/FreeRodneyReed/status/1193279229837873152?s=20

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX @BastropDems People from around the world stood up for the life of Rodney Reed, from Rodney's family, to international celebrities, to leaders here in Bastrop County in #TX10, where the unjust prosecution occurred.

Rodney's execution was cancelled, but the fight for justice continues.

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX @BastropDems @FreeRodneyReed @BringRodneyHome #6 OPPOSING CRIMES AGAINST IMMIGRANTS

Trump's treatment of immigrants is a crime against humanity. From the Family Separation policy (abetted by @RepMcCaul) to concentration camps and violation of the right to asylum, we say #NotInOurName & #CloseTheCamps
statesman.com/news/20190702/…

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX @BastropDems @FreeRodneyReed @BringRodneyHome @RepMcCaul And of course, there is so much more that we are working on, because at this moment of history, in Texas, in the United States, the forces of oppression are rising.

I believe, in my core, that the only way we restore democracy and decency is with a massive people's movement.

@MALDEF @CCauseTexas @ACLUTx @indivisibleATX @texasyds @CollegeDemsTX @BastropDems @FreeRodneyReed @BringRodneyHome @RepMcCaul Please join this work: to replace a terrible GOP incumbent, to show the people of #TX10 what real representation looks like, to advance the cause of justice and equality for all.

We'd love to have you! In 2020, we've got a lot to do. siegelfortexas.org/volunteer/