Nine candidates are running in the Democratic Party primary election for Texas’ 30th Congressional District on March 1, 2022. Incumbent Eddie Bernice Johnson (D) , who was first elected to the U.S. House in 1992, did not seek re-election. The Cook Political Report and other outlets rated the 30th district Solid Democratic. Media attention has focused on candidates Jasmine Crockett, Jane Hamilton, and Jessica Mason.
Crockett has represented Texas House District 100 since Jan. 2021 and was among the Texas House members who left the state in protest of Texas SB1, which made a series of changes to Texas’ election administration laws. “There’s a number of people who will most likely enter this race. There are none that I believe will enter this race that have been battle tested like I have this session,” Crockett said. She said she supports “Economic recovery that includes all, fair district maps, expanding healthcare and access to the ballot box, lowering property taxes, and reforming the criminal justice and policing systems.” Johnson and a number of Texas state representatives endorsed Crockett.
Hamilton served as an adviser on Pres. Joe Biden’s (D) Texas campaign in 2020 and worked as an online program manager. She emphasized her local support, saying, “There is no other candidate in this race that has such broad support throughout the district” and the race would be “determined by the candidate who works the hardest and gets out their supporters. And I’m experienced doing just that.” Hamilton said she supports criminal justice reform, expanding access to healthcare, and “Voters Rights legislation which prohibits States from disenfranchising people of color.” Hamilton’s endorsers include U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D), Texas State Rep. Chris Turner (D), State Sen. Beverly Powell (D), and several local officials.
Mason is a Navy veteran and worked as a legislative staffer in the Virginia General Assembly and as a community outreach coordinator. She described herself as “the only progressive, the only democratic socialist in this race,” and said “the establishment has purposefully kept economic opportunity away from underserved communities.” Mason said she supported universal healthcare and “ending cash bail, legalizing marijuana and expunging past convictions, and ensuring formerly incarcerated individuals have the right to vote and have job opportunities upon release.” Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner (D) and former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson (D) endorsed Mason.
Barbara Mallory Caraway, Arthur Dixon, Vonciel Jones Hill, Keisha Lankford, Abel Mulugheta, and Roy Williams Jr. are also running.
To win the primary, a candidate must receive more than 50% of votes cast. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on May 24.
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