Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez (D) has officially announced his candidacy for the United States Senate.
In a series of tweets, Sen. Gutierrez stated why he deemed Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) unfit for his current position.
“Ted Cruz abandoned Texas long before he left us to die in the winter storm. Uvalde happened because Republicans neglected the systems in this state that are supposed to keep us safe.”
“I’m running for Senate to fight back against the systems that have left so many Texans behind.”
Ted Cruz abandoned Texas long before he left us to die in the winter storm. Uvalde happened because Republicans neglected the systems in this state that are supposed to keep us safe.
I’m running for Senate to fight back against the systems that have left so many Texans behind. https://t.co/udKVZm4VSj
— Senator Roland Gutierrez (@RolandForTexas) July 10, 2023
“I’m running for the U.S. Senate to fight back against the systems that have left so many Texans behind.”
“Ted Cruz abandoned Texas long before he left us to die in the winter storm.”
“Uvalde happened because Republicans neglected the systems in this state that are supposed to keep us safe.”
“It’s time we turn frustration into action! If you want to make a better Texas, this campaign is for you.”
I’m running for the U.S. Senate to fight back against the systems that have left so many Texans behind.
Ted Cruz abandoned Texas long before he left us to die in the winter storm.
Uvalde happened because Republicans neglected the systems in this state that are supposed to keep… pic.twitter.com/kLDSLmvwCU
— Senator Roland Gutierrez (@RolandForTexas) July 10, 2023
Sen. Gutierrez began his campaign announcement by stating his familiarity with Texas, while also acknowledging the problems the state has faced.
“I know just about every mile marker on this road. In these small towns, I see my family. Our love for Texas. But with every mile that passes, I’m filled with sorrow, anger, but also hope and resilience.”
The Texas representative began to discuss the tragic Uvalde massacre in which 19 children and two adults were killed by a shooter.
“Where I’m going, I’ve seen horrors you couldn’t imagine. And that’s at the end of this drive in a community that has been through unthinkable pain, where I find my strength.”
The State Senator reminded Texans of his background and ancestry, and how he appreciated American values.
“It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve lived the American dream. My parents were immigrants to this country. My mother died before my first birthday. Through God’s grace, he put another woman in my path that would be Mom.”
Speaking of his parents’ life lessons, Guiterrez said, “They taught us if you believe in something, you work for it. That’s why I went into law and public service.”
“San Antonio City Council. The State House and the State Senate. To fix problems, build things, to help out and fight for those who need it most. But on May 24, 2022, the world stopped,” continued the Texas lawmaker.
Sen. Gutierrez has been an outspoken voice for those affected by the Uvalde shooting.
“Out of one of the darkest days, the people of Uvalde became more than constituents, they became family. We joined together to demand change. But we saw firsthand how our leaders only cared about maintaining power.”
Despite the Texas congressman’s gun ownership, he still expressed his support for safer gun laws.
“I’m a proud gun owner and believer in the Second Amendment. But after 19 children and two teachers died, the Republicans wouldn’t even allow us an opportunity to talk about ways to protect our kids.”
Gutierrez began to discuss the failures in legislation behind the Uvalde massacre.
“It’s why we have to do something now. But what happened in Uvalde wasn’t just about guns. It was about neglect. The neglect of rural Texas. The neglect of the systems in this state that are supposed to keep us safe. That failure hasn’t been isolated.”
The State Senator stated his frustration with Sen. Cruz and the value the state puts on wealthy people.
“I’m running against Ted Cruz because everything that we’ve seen in this state has been nothing but taking care of rich people. While the poor people, the working class, get screwed over.”
Sen. Cruz has come under much criticism after his infamous 2021 Cancun trip in the midst of a Texas blizzard.
“We’ve seen bribery and corruption that is appalling. Political stunts that are tragic. And when our Senator goes to Cancun while Texans are fighting for their lives in a winter storm, that’s just indefensible. 800 people died because people that are elected that are elected to office in this state that would rather enrich big electrical gas supply corporations than to go help people.”
Gutierrez referenced several social issues such as book banning, abortion and immigration.
“I want to live in a state that’s not burning books. I want to live in a state where working-class families would be able to get health care. I want to live in a state that doesn’t tell women what to do with their bodies. I want to live in a state that doesn’t blame some poor immigrant looking for a dream for every educational problem and health care problem and infrastructure problem because we should know better.”
The State Senator ended his statement by quoting his father’s ethos.
“It’s time we turn frustration into action. If you want to make a better Texas, then this campaign is for you. My father used to tell me, ‘If you work hard for this country, this country will work for you.’ And that’s what I promise to do”
“Work hard at fixing the real problems of today. My name is Roland Gutierrez. Proud Texan. And I’m running for the United States Senate.”