Texas state Sen. Roland Gutierrez declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Monday, joining the growing roster of Democrats vying to unseat GOP Sen. Ted Cruz in the 2024 election, as stated in a campaign launch video.
Gutierrez, who represents Uvalde, Texas, where a school shooting occurred last year, became the second Democrat to announce a Senate bid against Cruz, following U.S. Rep. Colin Allred’s campaign launch in early May. In his announcement, the state senator focused on advocating for gun control, as well as highlighting his stances on affordable healthcare, abortion, and immigration, according to a video shared on Twitter.
“I am running against Ted Cruz because we have witnessed a prioritization of the wealthy at the expense of the poor, the working class,” Gutierrez expressed in the video. “It is time for us to transform frustration into action. If you are committed to building a better Texas, then this campaign is for you.”