TRI-COUNTY — Big Bend Democratic activists and their delegates to the Democratic National Convention rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris this week after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race on Sunday.
Texas Democratic delegates held an online meeting Tuesday and voted overwhelmingly — 260 to 6 — to cast their ballots for Harris to be the new party nominee when the national convention meets in Chicago on August 19. The trend in many other states has been similar with some 3,000 delegates pledging to support Harris by Tuesday afternoon and only 1,976 needed for the nomination.
“This is bound to breathe new life into this electoral season,” said Hilary Beebe, a local Democratic activist. “And for that reason, I’m really optimistic. But the country’s extremely polarized, and it’s still going to be a whole lot of work. If Kamala Harris is the nominee, it’s going to be inspiring, but we’ve got to get a female candidate of color across the finish line, and I know every Democrat is ready to do that.”
“On Sunday, I was crying, because I felt so sad for President Biden,” said Juanita Martinez, Maverick County Democratic Party chair. “I mean, I’ve held his hand before, and he was the kindest, nicest person. And to me, he’s one of the best presidents that has ever lived.” Martinez, who lives in Eagle Pass, is one of two delegates representing the tri-county area, which is defined by the 23rd Congressional District that includes Far West Texas. She voted to support Harris in Tuesday evening’s meeting. The other delegate, Colette Holt of San Antonio, could not be reached for comment.
“It seems to me a really promising outlook for the Democrats,” said Mary Bell Lockhart, Brewster County Democratic Party chair. “It’s really kind of a historic position we’re in, and it really kills Trump’s attack on Biden for being too old.”
A clear, united path for a Harris nomination also lets Democrats forge ahead with campaigning instead of stalling under the uncertainty of whether Biden would remain in the race, she said. “We were on hold as far as the signage,” Lockhart said. “We hadn’t ordered any because it was kind of up in the air.”
Martinez said her initial sadness turned to enthusiasm with the idea of Harris at the top of the ticket. “It’s already adding energy,” she said and noted that she has recruited 20 new volunteers who started block walking on Wednesday in Eagle Pass.
Beebe said coordination between Presidio, Brewster and activists under the name Big Bend Democrats and its political action committee will also play a key role in registering voters and getting them to the polls. Presidio County Democratic Party Chair Ramon Rodriguez Aranda announced this week that the party will be launching “Aseguremos el Voto” (Let’s Secure the Vote) in September that will use a variety of platforms — from social media and radio commercials to old fashioned door knocking — in both English and Spanish to get out the vote.
Beebe said it’s been a range of emotions since Biden’s announcement but that it was the best decision, and it is yet another tribute to the president. “He displayed such humility, and he’s passing the torch and giving a younger generation an opportunity,” she said.