WASHINGTON — From Texas to Washington, D.C., Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett plans to continue fighting for her constituents in her newly sworn-in role as U.S. District 30 Representative. Crockett joined six other Texans for the start of the first session of the 118th Congress on Jan. 7.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to be sworn in to the 118th Congress and to continue Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson’s legacy through determined and thoughtful leadership for Texas’ 30th Congressional District,” Crockett said in a statement. “In Washington, I will speak truth to power and will fight for an agenda that will bring justice, fairness and equity to North Texas.”
Back in November, Crockett’s constituents elected her to represent Texas’ 30th Congressional District, beating out her Republican opponent James Rodgers. During her run for Congress, she campaigned on the idea of carrying the torch of Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, who served for the past 50 years in the same district. Between voting rights, increase in jobs, better education for the youth and improved health care, Crockett quickly made waves as a freshman legislator back in 2021.
“As a former public defender, attorney and Texas State Representative, it’s been my personal mission to be a voice for the voiceless and to uphold the founding principles of this country,” she said. “I took an oath of office today to make the same promise to the people of North Texas as I have done so before: I will put in the hard work, and be a voice of justice, day in and day out. North Texans can be assured that I’ll work the long hours, and that I’m privileged to serve.”
Based on data, District 30 — a majority minority population — includes a demographic of more than 80% Black or Hispanic, with a high concentration of poverty.
“My district is home to 750,000 North Texans in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex,” she said. “My district has always been anchored by the City of Dallas and today it includes Grand Prairie, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ovilla, DeSoto, Glenn Heights, Lancaster, Hutchins and Wilmer in addition to downtown, west and South Dallas. I will fight for the small towns in my community as loudly and as boldly as I will fight for the big city. I will work tirelessly to ensure that my constituents are heard and that their needs and expectations are met and even surpassed.”
In December, Crockett announced her appointment as freshman leadership representative. Per the U.S. House of Representatives, freshman class leaders go back as far as the 1940s. For first-year representatives — also called freshmen — in each party, they get to elect their own class president who aids in not only developing but also communicating policy goals.
“I look forward to working with my fellow House Democrats to push forward bold, progressive legislation that combats voter suppression, reproductive justice, prison reform, climate change, inflation, homelessness and more,” she said. “Each day, I will carry the values and lessons that have molded me into the leader I am today and will wake up emboldened to fight for a better America and a better North Texas.”