AUSTIN, Texas - Texas is likely to send its first two Latinas to Congress next year.

Former El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar is running to replace Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who's running for U.S. Senate. State Sen. Sylvia Garcia is her party's nominee to replace Congressman Gene Green of Houston.

Both of their districts are heavily in favor of their party in the fall.

So why has it taken so long?

“I think it’s simple. If we don’t run, we don’t win,” Garcia said. “And I just think that it’s been within the last 10 years that Latinas have really started running for office. We’ve not had quite the pipeline, if you will, to put us there.”

Sen. Garcia has not given up her state senate seat in her bid for Congress. If she waits to resign until after she’s elected, her district could go without representation for part of the next Legislative Session.

“There’s seven months until the election. I haven’t won yet. I do not want to assume that I know anything better than voters,” Garcia said. “So I think it would be very premature to start thinking whether to resign or not resign. I think until I get to November 6 and win, I don’t want to think about it.”

Watch the full interview with Sen. Garcia by clicking the video link above.