Bernie Sanders tours Texas hoping to amp up progressive turnout, including in key South Texas race

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks to supporters of Democratic congressional candidate Michelle Vallejo on Sunday in McAllen. Sanders addressed issues like inflation and said Republicans fail to mention the record profits corporations are generating. (Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune)

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., toured Texas this weekend looking to energize progressive voters with days to go until the midterm election, including in a key congressional race in South Texas.

The two-time Democratic presidential candidate visited Central Texas on Saturday and then headed south Sunday to the Rio Grande Valley, where he held a rally with Michelle Vallejo, who is running for the 15th Congressional District. It is an open seat that Republicans are eager to flip — and one where national Democrats have declined to go all in, sparking frustration inside the party.