Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy issued this statement congratulating Lupe Valdez, the COPE-backed candidate, on winning the Democratic nomination for Governor:
“Lupe Valdez believes in her heart in economic progress for all Texans. She is the antithesis of Gov. Greg Abbott and a Republican leadership that has placed wedge issues like private school vouchers, immigrant-bashing, “bathroom bills,” denial of health coverage for hundreds of thousands of Texans, and other proposals that rig the rules against working people at the center of Texas priorities.”
“Lupe Valdez is a warm, authentic progressive leader whose heart is with all the people. We believe she could lead a drive for school finance reform without hidden agendas, for expansion of health care, for fair treatment of immigrant workers, for civil rights for all, and for laws that elevate the aspirations of working people.”
“We are delighted over tonight’s results and congratulate Lupe on her victory. As Governor, Lupe Valdez will fight for a fair shot for everyone in our state. We intend to fight for her, to build a better Texas, to do right by working families and to make history.”
The Texas AFL-CIO COPE, which is the political arm of the state labor federation, will expand on these comments tomorrow when all election results are in.