Texas AFL-CIO Announces U.S. Senate Debate at 2020 COPE Convention

The Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention will feature a U.S. Senate Democratic candidates’ debate, Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy and Secretary-Treasurer Montserrat Garibay announced today.

The Committee on Political Education (COPE) is the political arm of the Texas AFL-CIO. Delegates will consider whether to issue an endorsement in the Senate race at the conclusion of the convention, which takes place Saturday, Jan. 25 to Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, at the Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark in South Austin. The COPE Convention agenda, including a start time for the debate, will be finalized later.

“The 2020 Senate race will measure continuing historic change in Texas,” Garibay said. “We look forward to a debate in which candidates clarify where they stand on the most pressing issues faced by working families. A large field is developing, and we believe a debate focused on labor’s Fair Shot Agenda will help working people focus on who can deliver real results.”

The Texas AFL-CIO reserves the right to limit the size of the debate based on factors that include candidate viability. Ground rules will be determined after a process that includes discussions with campaign representatives. The debate will be open to news media. 

A well-received debate between major gubernatorial candidates took place at the 2018 Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention. It was the first time the COPE Convention broke from a traditional practice of hearing separately from candidates in top-of-the-ballot races.