“I believe working Texans deserve a progressive leader who will fight and deliver on reproductive rights, Medicare for All, good jobs, and a functional power grid,” Casar said in a statement. “That’s why I’m running for Congress. Our communities are struggling because people like Gov. [Greg] Abbott are looking out for themselves, instead of everyone else."
Casar first won his Austin City Council seat for the newly created District 4 in 2014, becoming the youngest person to ever hold the citywide office. Casar went on to win races in 2016 and 2020 and plans to continue serving on council for a portion of his current four-year term.
A special election for his City Council seat will be called next year, and Casar will serve until District 4's next representative takes office. Casar's look to the 35th District race comes after Doggett announced this fall that he will next run for the newly created 37th Congressional District.
Casar told Community Impact Newspaper on Nov. 4 that he hopes to use his remaining time on the council dais to pursue his remaining local priorities, including progress on affordable housing goals and seeing Austin settle the lawsuit filed by sexual assault victims over the Austin Police Department's alleged mishandling of their cases.
Casar also said while City Council policies can be more immediate and locally focused for residents, he sees a seat in Congress as a better avenue to enact "transformational" change for Texans—without the threat of conflict or pushback from state lawmakers that regularly plays out in Austin.
“We need Medicare for All, affordable housing, better wages, comprehensive immigration reform, and a massive clean energy jobs program. We can make the world a better place if we fight for it – if we organize for it. Together, we've shown we can do just that," Casar said in his announcement statement.
Casar's campaign said he has garnered endorsements locally from Mayor Steve Adler and fellow Austin City Council Members Natasha Harper-Madison, Vanessa Fuentes, Ann Kitchen and Paige Ellis as well as Travis County Attorney Delia Garza and Travis County District Attorney José Garza.
Other Texas endorsements include former state Sen. Wendy Davis and members of the San Antonio and San Marcos city councils and San Marcos ISD board. Nationally, Casar has the backing of the progressive Working Families Party.
