TEXAS — Vice President Kamala Harris is the first woman of color to win a nomination for a major political party. Some question how her presence at the top of the ticket will impact diverse candidates down the ballot in Texas.

What You Need To Know

  • Vice President Kamala Harris' run for the White House could have an effect on diverse down-ballot candidates in Texas 

  • There are quite a few women running for seats in the Texas Legislature 

  • There are 90 Democratic people of color running for a Texas House or Senate seat, and 48 of them are women

  • The Republican Party is also trying to increase the number of women on the ballot 

Democratic candidate Kristian Carranza is vying to replace Republican state Rep. John Lujan in one of the most competitive races statewide in a majority-Hispanic South Side district in San Antonio.

“Vice President Harris has created a path for us to break our own glass ceilings alongside her in November,” said Carranza.

In down-ballot races, there are a substantial number of women running to represent Texans in the state Legislature. There are 90 Democratic people of color running for a Texas House or Senate seat and 48 of them are women.  

But the Republican Party is also pushing to increase the number of women on the ballot.

“I don’t think race plays any type of factor into the beliefs we hold,” said Denise Villalobos.

Villalobos is trying to replace Democratic Rep. Abel Herrero in her Corpus Christi district. Including Villalobos, there are 25 Republican people of color running for the state Legislature and 31 women candidates.

“I get a lot of dads coming up to me saying, 'Wow, like I want you to win. I want you to win so bad because I want to show my daughter that she can do whatever she wants to do,'" she said.

Villalobos was also spotlighted by the Republican State Leadership Committee as a candidate who showcases the party’s effort to elevate more women and diverse down-ballot candidates.

RSLC President Dee Duncan said in a statement: “In order to combat the failed policies of the Biden-Harris Administration in the states, we need diverse candidates who represent the values of their communities and will bring a commonsense approach to legislative chambers nationwide.”

“What we see when women go into politics is they go into politics because they want to solve a problem in their community,” said Christina Reynolds with Emily’s List.

The organization Emily’s List works to help Democratic women get into office and says education is a large issue women campaign on. There are six Democratic women and one Republican trying to get a seat on the Texas State Board of Education, where women already make up the majority.

“When they’re talking about issues that they’ve faced personally, that’s a really powerful thing for voters. And it can make a major difference,” said Reynolds.

Women’s health care and access to abortions are other key issues women campaign on.

“When women get into office, they raise the issues that women face,” said Reynolds.

Experts say female and other diverse candidates are needed to encourage marginalized communities to show up to vote. Currently, women show up to cast a ballot in overwhelming numbers compared to men, but people of color are less likely to vote compared to white people.