I'm Voting For Roland Gutierrez In The Democratic Primary - Here's Why

The case for Roland Gutierrez.

Ted Cruz is one of the worst-elected Republicans we’ve seen in Texas in the last few decades. He votes against Texan’s best interests, and his entire world revolves around being famous rather than a politician. Most Texans agree that Cruz’s days are numbered, and in 2024, we will band together to get him out of office. But beyond that, we have to think about who will serve us best in the United States Senate.

First, we must be honest about the other Democrats on the ballot because there are many. I’ve spoken to several of them and think they have great ideas, but most haven’t raised anywhere close to enough money to be competitive in this election. In political campaigns, especially in a large and diverse state like Texas, money is a crucial resource for various reasons, making it challenging for a candidate who’s only raised $20,000 or $50,000 to compete effectively against someone who has amassed hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

There are enough candidates in the Democratic primary where this race will likely go to a runoff between the top two candidates, Colin Allred and Roland Gutierrez. I believe that Gutierrez can beat Ted Cruz, and I think he’s our better choice for Senator.

The passion and drive to make Texas a better place.

Over the years, we’ve all witnessed various responses from our elected officials to critical issues we face. However, it’s the aftermath of the tragic Uvalde Massacre that has genuinely highlighted the commitment of so many of our leaders. Among them, Roland Gutierrez stands out for his devotion to the Uvalde families and his dedication to changing laws in Texas, even in the face of Republican opposition.

Here is what Uvalde dad, Brett Cross, had to say:

When tragedies strike in Texas, like Uvalde, we almost always see a moment of “thoughts and prayers” from our Republican leaders, and then they abandon the families. Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick, and Uvalde Congressman Tony Gonzalez long ago abandoned the Uvalde families. When the TV cameras left, the Republicans went with them. But Roland Gutierrez has stuck by their side, continuing to fight for answers and to push against the Republicans’ blockade against sensible gun measures.

While there are plenty of clips of Colin Allred in Congress giving speeches or questioning witnesses, the passion hasn’t been on the same level as it has with Gutierrez over the last year.

I watched Gutierrez in the 87th Legislature and the 88th, with Uvalde happening in between them. I believe that Uvalde changed him; it made him fight harder and speak out more often. It lit a fire in him, and I know it drives him to stand up to Republicans and against bad legislation.

He’s even managed to piss off Dan Patrick several times. Check it out:

In Texas, Roland Gutierrez has been a strong voice against Republican’s corruption, racism, bigotry, and absurdity. Watch his reaction to Ken Paxton’s bought-and-paid-for acquittal:

A comparison in ideology.

I met Colin Allred a while back and had a one-on-one conversation with him. I found him to be very personable and charming, but I could ask him about political issues I thought were important.

First, I asked him about access to healthcare in Texas. His stance was that the state legislature should continue to fight to expand Medicaid. On the other hand, last week Roland Gutierrez put out a short video advocating for universal healthcare. Gutierrez agrees that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. And the rest of us know that universal healthcare would save America trillions of dollars. Universal healthcare needs to come from DC, not Austin.

Next, I asked Allred about expanding the Supreme Court, something that progressives have been pushing for in the wake of Trump packing the court with radical extremists. Allred was adamant that this was something he wasn’t in favor of. And while Gutierrez has not yet said this is something he would support, he has said he’s in favor of Supreme Court reform.

Finally, as a follow-up question, I asked Allred how he would vote on a probable impeachment of Clarence Thomas. He said he wasn’t in favor and thought the rules should be changed first. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is deeply corrupt. The public has questioned Thomas’s ethics and behavior since his confirmation hearings over 30 years ago. His abuse of power, conflicts of interest, and secrecy about his financial and political ties make him unfit to serve.

Alexandria Ocasio Cortez called for an impeachment investigation. If that happens when Democrats take back control of Congress in 2025, we want a Texas Senator whose vote we can count on. I think Roland Gutierrez would vote for what he felt was right, even if new rules weren’t yet.

Look how he spoke up against Ken Paxton’s lies earlier this year:

Greg Abbott signed the “Show Me Your Papers” bill into law earlier this week.

Nearly every Democrat in Texas has put out a statement about this awful legislation: Congresspeople, legislators, county judges. I’m sad to say that Colin Allred has not yet said anything about one of the most racist bills to come out of Texas this year. Maybe he’s busy, but people are scared and want to know that at least some of our elected officials are working to get this bill overturned or blocked.

And I genuinely like Colin Allred and don’t want to throw him under the bus or make it seem like he’s a bad Democrat because he’s not. I believe Roland Gutierrez will work harder for us in the Senate, and he is the more progressive candidate who will take the more progressive positions and be louder against the Republicans. And we need that now.

America is facing down the barrel of fascism, and the Republican Party has gone completely off of the rails. Now isn’t the time to be passive. Part of how we got here in the first place is the passiveness and conservatism of DC Democrats.

Collin Allred has raised substantially more than Roland Gutierrez as of the last filing date. Allred has the support of the national party and big-dollar donors in DC. If Gutierrez wins the primary, he can make it up and give Ted Cruz a beatdown.

Over the last several months, I’ve seen Roland Gutierrez crisscrossing the state, meeting with Democratic clubs, and holding events. He’s been working hard to prove to the voters, especially Democratic primary voters, that he is the better choice to take down Cruz.

For all these reasons and more, Lone Star Left is endorsing Roland Gutierrez for the United States Senate. It’s why I’ll vote for him in the primary and the runoff. I hope you consider all these things when you vote in the primary and runoff, too.

Don’t worry about splitting the vote.

In Texas, Democrats have a propensity to take the safe vote, and I know a few people who have said they will vote for Allred only because he’s the perceived front-runner. We get so used to losing in Texas that we sometimes fear taking risky moves. But you must believe that in November, Democrats will rally together to oust Ted Cruz, no matter who the nominee is, and vote for who you think is the best choice in the March primary election.

As we approach a pivotal moment for Texas in the 2024 elections, choosing a representative who embodies the courage, dedication, and progressive values needed to address the state’s and nation’s most pressing issues is essential. Roland Gutierrez has demonstrated through his relentless advocacy, particularly in the aftermath of the Uvalde tragedy, that he’s a fighter for justice and a voice for those often ignored by the political establishment.

Let’s prioritize the future we wish to create for Texas—a future defined by bold leadership, compassionate policies, and a government that genuinely represents its people.

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