LaMantia: I sense huge excitement among Democrats this election cycle

WESLACO, Texas – State Sen. Morgan LaMantia says she is witnessing great enthusiasm among supporters throughout her district.

The South Padre Island Democrat pushed back against claims from the Republican National Committee that more and more South Texas Hispanics are breaking for GOP candidates.

“The campaign is going really well. We’re incredibly encouraged. We’re getting a lot of great feedback as we go block walking, hold town hall meetings, and visit with as many constituents as we can,” LaMantia told the Rio Grande Guardian.

“We’re very excited but our biggest concern is voter turnout. We’re hoping people keep that excitement that we are seeing and feeling today and how they are talking about going out to vote. And so, we hope that that carries through to Early Vote and all the way to Election Day.

“We need the Rio Grande Valley to come out to vote strong because we need to make sure that everyone knows that the Rio Grande Valley has a voice, and we demand to be heard. And that comes with voting. Every single one of us.”

Pressed on whether the level of excitement is strong, LaMantia said: “Absolutely, we do sense the excitement. People are talking about the issues that matter. Most of them talking about solutions and different ways we can help improve their lives, even if it’s just a little bit. And I think that’s wonderful, and they’re really appreciating our democratic process and having a voice in that process.”

The Guardian was interested to get LaMantia’s take on the excitement level because it recently received a press release from the RNC saying that, in general, Hispanics in South Texas are more and more interested in voting Republican.

LaMantia responded: “I think that is a just misunderstanding of the Rio Grande Valley because we have never just been one party. Turning red or turning blue, I don’t think it’s an accurate statement, because in the past, yes, we’ve only been very strong Democrat, but in large part that’s because there were no Republicans running at all. And so, everyone voted in the Democratic Primary, because that is where your vote counted. That is where your voice was heard.”

LaMantia said that when every candidate ran in one primary a voter had to do their research.

“You had to vote for the person. You had to do your research. You voted for the person that you saw, the person that you could speak to, the person that was accessible, that was available in your community, and whose ideals, morals and character you lined up with the most.”

LaMantia said the Valley has always had a percentage of the electorate that wanted to vote Republican but never had the chance because there were no candidates. She said now they do have a choice.

Asked what the top issues are, LaMantia said: “The issues that we all deal with every day, the issues that we stress about over the kitchen table, issues that sometimes keeps us up at night and causes us gray hairs. It’s our bills. It’s paying our property taxes. It’s our windstorm insurance. It’s worrying about whether or not our home is going to flood when it rains. It’s making sure our kids can go see the doctor and we can afford that doctor’s bill or that hospital bill, should they need to go. It’s making sure children have the education that they need so they can get those higher paying jobs, so that they can be part of that workforce and that they can grow their own strong South Texas families.”

LaMantia said a lot of the issues she listed can be dealt with at the state level.

“But they’re not easy fixes,” LaMantia hastened to add. “And they’re not something that can be fixed overnight or in just one session. These are long-term projects that need to solely be chipped away at.”

By way of example, LaMantia referenced the water crisis.

“For example, the water issues and the drought issues that we have today are very different from the ones we had maybe 10,15, years ago, because of the growth, because of how our economy is growing and diversifying. That is something we need to continue to adapt to and expand on. So, it’s a continuing problem, a continuing issue, but we do need to address it, and we need to prioritize these issues, these kitchen table issues, over anything else, because those are the ones that will make people’s lives just a little bit easier, and that’s what we need to do as a state legislature.”

LaMantia’s challenger in the Senate District 27 race is Republican businessman Adam Hinojosa. Hinojosa, who was born in Brownsville but now lives in Corpus Christi, was pleased to receive an endorsement from LaMantia’s predecessor in the state Senate, Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Asked about this, LaMantia said: “Senator Lucio and I have always had a really great relationship, but he’s doing what he feels like he needs to do because of a specific issue. But I’m going to continue to fight for Senate District 27 and after we win this election, I’m willing to work with anybody who’s willing to put Senate District 27 first in the legislature.”

LaMantia did win the support of former state Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, however. In a press release, Lucio highlighted her dedication, leadership, and tireless work on behalf to Texans.

“I care deeply about South Texas. It is where I was born and raised, and where I’m raising my children. The future of the Rio Grande Valley is personal to me as a husband, father, and business owner,” Lucio said. “As a former member of the Texas Legislature, I’ve seen firsthand what effective leadership looks like and how an elected member must conduct themselves to truly serve their district.”

Lucio, III, added “Senator LaMantia has proven herself to be a public servant of the highest caliber. I have personally witnessed her approach to work. She has worked with tenacity, intelligence, and dedication. Having worked alongside her on critical issues like TWIA, water, and transportation, I can confidently say Senator LaMantia is exactly who South Texas needs to shepherd in the next wave of progress and success for our region. I am proud to offer my unequivocal support for Senator Morgan LaMantia in her reelection.”

Another high-profile figure to endorse Hinojosa was Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Asked about this, LaMantia said: “It’s the same thing (as former Sen. Eddie Lucio). They’re doing what they feel they need to do. But it doesn’t impact our race or our strategy. We are running for the people of Senate District 27. I’m not running on behalf of anyone in Austin. I’m running for the people that live in the Rio Grande Valley, that live in the Coastal Bend, and I’m fighting for them. And it’s their voices, their vote, their endorsement, that matters most to me.”

Asked for any wrap-up remarks, LaMantia said: “Please remember, go out to vote. Early voting is October 21 to November 1 and Election Day is on November 5. So, please remember to go out and vote. Get your friends, get your family, get everyone out there to go vote this election.”

The post LaMantia: I sense huge excitement among Democrats this election cycle appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.