West Believes African Americans Locked Out Again by Democratic Party

Sen. Royce West’s campaign for United States Senate on Monday called the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s (DSCC) endorsement “a very sad day for the Democratic Party,” and lambasted the DSCC for locking African American candidates out of their process.

Monday Texas Tribune reported the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee awarded their endorsement to MJ Hegar to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

“The DSCC is trying to lock African American candidates out of the process without sitting down and visiting with them to make a determination of whether or not they are the best candidate,” said Vince Leibowitz, Communications Director for West’s campaign for U.S. Senate. “They did not even offer Senator West an opportunity to interview for their endorsement,” Leibowitz continued.

“That is a slap in the face to 11.6 percent of our state’s population that identifies as African American,” said Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas). However, we will not be locked out of this process,” West said. “African Americans will turn out in large numbers and they will vote their conscience, and not the DSCC’s choice,” West said. “Of that, I am confident,” he continued.

His campaign is seeking an explanation regarding why he was not even granted an interview.

“This is a very sad day for the Democratic Party,” said Leibowitz. “The DSCC knows we need an energized base to win Texas this cycle, and their decision today is very puzzling,” Leibowitz said.

Is the progressive wing being pushed aside?

Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez’s campaign swiftly lashed out about the DSCC’s decision. She is one of the Democratic candidates seeking to replace Coryn, touting herself as a progressive alternative.

“It is disappointing that the national Democratic establishment is so afraid of progressive ideas that it will not even give Texas voters a chance to hear them,” shared via Twitter by Ramirez’s campaign manager, David Sanchez.

Hegar is generally viewed as a more moderate establishment type candidate.

“They have decided to ignore several more qualified and experienced candidates of color, who have done the work to transform the politics of our state, in favor of a former Republican,” according to Sanchez.

West’s team suggests the DSCC appears to not have learned a valuable lesson from the last presidential election when it was suggested the party attempted to take control from the voters on who would eventually end up on the final ballot.

“The DSCC can not give the impression they are trying to rig our elections and diminish minority voices,” Leibowitz said. “Remember what happened in 2016,” he continued.