DALLAS, Texas – Texas State Sen. Royce West announced on Monday he is running for the United States Senate.
- First elected to Texas Senate in 1992
- 2006-2007 served as president pro tempore
- Vice chair of Senate Higher Education Committee
West currently represents the 23rd district and was first elected to the Texas Senate in 1992.
“Texans believe that the best way to get things done is to roll up their sleeves, use some grit and determination, and work with everyone to accomplish big things,” West said in an emailed statement. “I have spent my life as an advocate for parents and teachers to achieve world-class education for students, championing criminal justice reform, supporting workers seeking fair wages, and advocating for common-sense gun legislation. I promote and defend women’s reproductive rights, stand with immigrant rights communities for comprehensive immigration reform, and march with students seeking fair voting rights. We need a United States Senator who will do those things, and I hope to earn your vote.”
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The U.S. Senate seat West will be running for is currently occupied by Republican Sen. John Cornyn.
Cornyn’s campaign released this statement shortly after West’s announcement:
Liberal Royce West supports late-term abortions, high property taxes, and New York-style gun control. While the Democrat primary is quickly turning into a contest of who can run to the left the fastest, we’re building our field operation and adding grassroots supporters. Whoever limps out of the runoff will face a grassroots army motivated to elect John Cornyn and stop Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren’s agenda.
West joins an already crowded Democratic field trying to unseat Cornyn. Former congressional candidate MJ Hegar, former Houston Congressman and 2006 gubernatorial nominee Chris Bell and Houston City Councilwoman Andrea Edwards have also announced they’re running.