Austin progressive Greg Casar eyes run for Congress

[TexasTowelie]

Progressive firebrand and Austin City Council Member Greg Casar is likely to run for Congress in Texas’s 35th District, he told the Texas Observer in an interview.

“It’s very likely that I’m running,” says Casar, who has formed an exploratory committee to examine a run for the district that runs from Austin to San Antonio. “The maps haven’t been signed into law yet, but shortly after they are, I will make things much more official.”

The seat is currently held by Congressman Lloyd Doggett, an Austin Democrat who was first elected in the 1990s. However, Doggett announced Monday afternoon that he will be running in Austin’s new 37th congressional district, which Republicans drew as part of their redistricting plans and covers a swath of Austin west of I-35. That means that the predominantly Hispanic district is now up for grabs.

If Casar wins, the Democratic Socialists of America member and Bernie Sanders supporter would join the ranks of left-wing politicians like Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush who have shifted the national Democratic Party leftward. As candidates, they have used their experience with community organizing to run grassroots campaigns fueled by armies of volunteers and small donors.

Read more: https://www.texasobserver.org/austin-progressive-greg-casar-eyes-run-for-congress/

[LeftInTX]

1. He's already got good competition!

Austin City Council Member Greg Casar said Tuesday that he has formed an exploratory committee to inform his next steps and state Reps. Eddie Rodriguez of Austin and Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio told the American-Statesman that they also are mulling runs for the position.

I know Trey and he's a pit bull!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

2. I doubt that a DSA member will be competitive but time will tell

[Javaman]

3. I pretty much expected this.

I had a feeling when he was first elected to the city council that he had bigger asperations.

he represents my district.