Joe Manchin’s retirement almost certainly means Democrats will lose the WV Senate seat. You know where they can pick one up this time? In Texas by defeating Ted Cruz next November. Best pickup opportunity on the map this cycle. For those who roll their eyes at the idea that Texas is winnable… it’s been moving strongly toward Dems in the Trump era. Obama 2012 lost by 16, Hillary by 9, Biden by 5.5. Beto 2018 lost to Cruz by 3 and Dems picked up 2 seats in Congress, 2 in state sen and 12 in state house.

A note about Texas after Tuesday’s results.

@BetoORourke deserves a lot of gratitude for inspiring and activating Democrats across the state. He has now twice planted the seeds of future victory. Eight years ago, Abbott won by 20 points.

In 2018, when Democrats had the wind at our back, Abbott won by 13 points.

This time it was 11 points. So, as much as Tuesday’s results don’t feel like progress, they are—slow progress in what was supposed to be a terrible year.

The White House has defended their use of the Trump-era Title 42 policy on the basis of protecting public health.

But as many have pointed out, public health experts have repeatedly spoken out against the policy—calling it inhumane, nonsensical, and politically-motivated. When Stephen Miller proposed using Title 42 to suspend our asylum system, the CDC strongly pushed back.

Vice President Pence himself had to intervene to pressure the CDC to implement it. Some staff resigned over it. apnews.com/article/4ef0c6…

So far, the Biden admin’s record on refugees and asylum seekers is very disappointing. 

Biden is not Trump—and is, in fact, working to undo Trump’s damage. 

But that’s not enough. We need proactive leadership, beginning with Afghan refugees and asylum seekers at the border. The Biden admin has resettled 6,246 refugees this year, the fewest since the program's creation in 1980.

Much of that lands at Trump's feet. However, it was only after intense pressure that Biden raised the refugee cap and sped up admissions—an early campaign promise of his.

The Census data being released today may well be flawed, and not an accurate picture of the racial makeup of our country.

We won’t know for sure until 2022, when over- and under-count data are released. But here’s why experts say the data may be distorted: First, Trump played games with the Census from the start.

He unsuccessfully tried to add a citizenship question and exclude undocumented immigrants, an illegal move breaking 230 years of precedent.

Unfortunately, his push for it likely chilled participation regardless.

Greg Abbott is a finger-in-the-wind politician acting with cowardice.

He appeases his base by banning mask mandates but doesn’t say a word when communities defy him.

He knows they’re doing his job for him. And he will cower in silence until he can act like a tough guy again. Conservatives already know this, and it’s why they’ve never quite trusted him.

He acts tough, but lets others step up to do his job for him.

It’s a dog and pony show that he’s used on Covid, the power grid, and every pet issue his base cares about. google.com/amp/s/www.texa…

My son and daughter start 1st and 7th grade today. As they do:

-Covid cases/hospitalizations are surging in Texas, including among children.

-Gov. Abbott has banned schools from requiring masks.

-schools won’t be required to inform parents of Covid outbreaks in the classroom. -The state is no longer providing supplemental support to schools for remote instruction, so many are not offering it.

-Texas ranks 35th in vaccinations. Less than half of the state is fully vaccinated.

-ICU beds in most communities are running extremely low.

Two years ago a man, inspired by the words of Donald Trump, drove 11 hours to El Paso and killed 23 people, his deranged response to what he called “the Hispanic invasion of Texas.”

It was the inevitable and terrible consequence of political leaders normalizing hate and bigotry. Unfortunately, there are many who picked up where Trump left off.

GOP leaders continue to use language like “invasion” to describe our border.

Just last week Texas’s governor signed a “show me your papers” executive order encouraging discrimination towards Latinos.

As someone who came up through local government, I know how important it is to have bold, forward-thinking leaders fighting for change at the local level.

Today I'm proud to endorse our first slate of People First local candidates from across the country. Take a look! Throughout my travels in Iowa, I saw @wanasattia's passion and dedication for rural communities. She's a champion for the underserved, and as a state representative she'll keep fighting for better health care, quality education, a clean environment, and good jobs for all Iowans.

At a time when so many Americans are hurting, we need leaders who have the courage to fight for big solutions.

Today I'm excited to expand the reach of People First Future with the endorsement of six excellent and inspiring candidates. Take a look! As a Newton City Council member, a former DA, and mother of two, @BeckyWGrossman will bring a critical perspective on hardworking families to Congress. I’m proud to support her because she'll fight for a progressive agenda that ensures a better future for our next generation.

This is erasure.

SA is 64% Latino but 0 of 46 public high schools named for Latinos (0!). Great work @BekahMcneel! And thanks to @SAcurrent for running it.

School boards must change their naming approach. Help our kids see themselves in the world.
sacurrent.com/the-daily/arch… This is an issue school board members in all 15 local districts should be called out on. It’s also the kind of work the @ExpressNews, with its greater resources and reach, should be doing. Trust me, this is just the tip of the iceberg in San Antonio.

Today I’m proud to endorse four 'People First Policing' candidates who are committed to ending police violence and reversing our over-reliance on policing.

Visit the link below to help elect candidates with the courage to end police violence. secure.actblue.com/donate/soc-202… Congresswoman @AyannaPressley has led the charge in the pursuit of justice and accountability for police violence.

She's already introduced legislation to overhaul policing, and will continue to be the moral leader we need in the fight against systemic oppression.

With the launch of People First Future, we're proud to announce our first slate of endorsements.

These candidates are fighting for a future where everyone counts, and I hope you'll join me in supporting them. peoplefirstfuture.com .@candacefor24 is a working mom who herself experienced childhood poverty and overcame incredible odds to serve her community. She'll be a tremendous advocate for Texans in Congress, on issues from expanding affordable health care to improving our public schools.

In five years, the @nytimes newsroom has hardly diversified. This is what failure looks like:

Since 2015, zero increase in Latinos in the newsroom, African Americans went from 7% to 9%, and Asians from 8% to 10%.

Let's be truthful—that's dismal! nytco.com/company/divers… What's baffling, the Times buried the lede, highlighting progress on the business side, while downplaying almost no progress in the newsroom—where representation is most important.

Looking back over the past the year, I'm so proud of the campaign we've built together.

We've marched to the beat of our own drum, stood up for the most vulnerable Americans, and told the truth at a time when lies seem come easy out of Washington. From Flint, Michigan to Matamoros, Mexico; from Puerto Rico to California's Central Valley; from prisons to sanctuary churches to homeless encampments; in 2019, this campaign has always put people first, and fought for an America where every single person counts.

The Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/Latino Culture is the 1st museum in the Pacific Northwest to highlight the Mexican American experience—including those who came to the US as farmworkers.

My tour this morning was a poignant reminder that many of these struggles continue today. The Mexican American experience has been tremendously complex, and not without setbacks.

When my grandmother arrived to the U.S. as a child, signs like these that read “No Dogs, No Negroes, No Mexicans” were still prominent—even in Texas.

Throughout my travels in Nevada, I’ve been inspired by the support I’ve received in big cities and small towns.

Today I’m grateful to receive the endorsement of outstanding leaders and public servant from the Silver State. “Secretary Castro is an experienced policy-maker who understands the dynamic needs of our Las Vegas community. He is a reminder to young people across the nation that all communities deserve a seat at the table.” @selenatorresnv

If we want to call ourselves progressives, we can’t be afraid to have real values.

Since day one, I’ve been in this race to fight for people at the margins—the poor, hungry and homeless, POC and queer people, young people and those with disabilities. I’ve elevated issues that presidential candidates frequently won’t touch—police violence, just treatment for immigrants, hunger and rural poverty.

I care about these issues because I grew up seeing how they impacted my community.

Today, I’m returning to my alma mater, @Stanford, to lay out my vision for the future of American foreign policy.

A vision that creates inclusive prosperity at home and security abroad, and pursues a more just and peaceful world.

Tune in: facebook.com/StanfordinGove… President Trump gives only equivocal support to the courageous protesters in Hong Kong, saying he also stands with Xi Jinping.

We must be unequivocal: America must always speak up for human rights, regardless of the economic appeal of any nation’s market. I #StandWithHongKong.

Texas is a swing state, both in the primary and general elections.

As we get closer and closer to the first primaries, I’m proud have the support of nine extraordinary top Democrats in my home state who will help us win Texas next November. Thank you for your support, @JoseforTexas!

For 29 years, the Americans with Disabilities Act has helped defend the rights of disabled Americans. It is integral to building an inclusive, fair, and just nation and as president, I will defend and strengthen it. #ADA29 I've already proposed a start with my #PeopleFirst policies:

✅Fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA)

✅Reforming school discipline practices that punish students with disabilities

✅Repealing the Trump admin's discriminatory policies

#ADA29