FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 23
Contact: Logan Smith
[email protected]
202-709-8825
Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC endorses Democratic primary challengers in Texas
More endorsements coming as Bend the Arc’s PAC works to preserve Democratic majorities and build the bench of progressive champions
WASHINGTON – For the first time, Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC is endorsing progressive candidates in competitive Democratic primary races, the political action committee announced on Wednesday.
Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC is endorsing Jessica Cisneros (TX-28) and Greg Casar (TX-35), whose primary elections will be held next week on March 1.
“Our PAC has two goals for 2022: preserve Democratic majorities in the House and Senate and build a deeper bench of progressive champions in Congress fighting for and alongside us in the halls of power,” said Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC Director Derek Pugh. “This will only be possible with people like Jessica Cisneros and Greg Casar on the ballot in November. Jessica and Greg are both in competitive and crowded primaries, and last-minute voter contacts could make all the difference.”
Jessica Cisneros, a 28-year old human rights lawyer and proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, is a fierce advocate for expanding health care access, empowering workers to organize and bargain collectively, and building a more humane and equitable immigration system. She’s in a competitive race to unseat Rep. Henry Cuellar — one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress and the only one to vote against legislation that protects the rights of workers to organize and legislation to protect safe and legal abortion access. He’s currently under an ethics investigation, fights for corporate interests, helped water down the Build Back Better Act, and defended Customs & Border Protection officers after their brutal and horrific attacks on Haitian migrants last summer.
Greg Casar is a 32-year old Austin City Council Member and movement organizer. The proud son of Mexican immigrants, Greg has passed policies to protect families from being separated, raise wages and provide paid sick leave for thousands of workers, and successfully fought for the largest affordable housing elections in the South. Greg is running for an open seat in a solidly Democratic district, and having progressive champions in safe blue seats is a key strategy for our movements to win the policies we fight for.
Wednesday’s announcement represents the first time Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC has endorsed primary challengers in competitive races, and PAC leaders plan to make additional endorsements throughout the 2022 midterm elections.
“Jessica Cisneros and Greg Casar share our moral imperative to fight for a more equitable country free from white supremacy, antisemitism and other forms of oppression, where all people are able to thrive,” said Pugh. “They’re the kind of leaders we need in Congress who will fight alongside our movements to build a country that is truly for all of us.”
Of the 42 Jewish-identified Federal PACs, Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC is the first and only one to advocate exclusively for the progressive domestic policies our community has cared deeply about for generations. In 2020, the PAC raised over $1 million dollars for 60 federal candidates.
Bend the Arc: Jewish Action is uniting a movement of tens of thousands of progressive Jews across the country who are fighting for justice and equality for all. We are the only national Jewish organization focused exclusively on social change in the United States.
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