ICYMI: Candace Valenzuela “Picks Up Steam” in TX-24 House Race
ICYMI: Candace Valenzuela “Picks Up Steam” in TX-24 House Race
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6th, 2020
Last Friday, BOLD PAC candidate Candace Valenzuela announced a fundraising haul of over $314,000, doubling the amount her campaign raised in the previous quarter. With growing grassroots support, Valenzuela is building momentum in Texas’ 24th congressional race ahead of the July 14th primary run-off elections.
As BOLD PAC Chairman Tony Cárdenas laid it out in the Hill, “[Candace] is a great fit for that district...she's going to come out victorious in the second step of this process.”
Valenzuela is the only Democratic Latina running in an open seat in Texas and if elected, she will make history as the first Afro-Latina in Congress. In addition to BOLD PAC’s support, she has earned the endorsements of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, EMILY’s List, the Texas AFL-CIO, Texas State Representative Julie Johnson, and former HUD Secretary, Julián Castro. Valenzuela also leads the field with local endorsements from school board members, city council officials, and local North Texas mayors.
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The only Hispanic challenger for a Texas House seat in 2020 broke her district's single-quarter fundraising record for a Democrat, surpassing a high achieved 15 years ago, according to preliminary numbers from the campaign.
Candace Valenzuela, a local school board member, is facing a July runoff election against fellow Democrat Kim Olson, a retired Air Force colonel, in the race to replace retiring Rep. Kenny Marchant
(R-Texas).
The winner of that runoff will face off in November against Republican Beth Van Duyne, a former mayor and Trump administration official seeking to keep the now-swing district red.
Valenzuela, who forced a runoff against Olson in the March 3 primary, says her campaign raised more than $305,000 between January and March.
The once-homeless Valenzuela has also racked up big-name endorsements, including former Housing Secretary and presidential candidate Julián Castro, Bold PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) campaign arm, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and EMILY's List, an influential pro-choice political advocacy group.
"We're excited about her. We think she's a great fit for that district. And she made it into the runoff and we feel strongly that she's going to come out victorious in the second step of this process," said Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), the chairman of Bold PAC.
Many of Valenzuela's endorsers, including Bold PAC and EMILY's List, took the unusual step of betting on her ahead of the primary — six Democrats were competing for the nomination — and doubling down on her ahead of the runoff against Olson.
"We think Candace is the best candidate to carry that seat in the fall," said Benjamin Ray, a spokesman for Emily's List.
The two candidates are progressive women who got their political start as school board members, running in a once-ruby red suburban district, but that's where their similarities end.
In 2018, Olson lost a statewide race to become Texas agriculture commissioner against Republican Sid Miller in a campaign that dragged out her role in an Iraq war-profiteering scandal in 2016.
Following a Pentagon investigation, Olson was allowed to keep her rank
and an honorable discharge, but took a deal pleading guilty to lesser charges.
Cárdenas said Valenzuela is "a perfect fit" for the district, and warned Republicans are eager to once again take a stab at Olson's past.
"Whoever wins this primary is gonna have to run against the Republicans. When I say it's about Republicans, it's because this is a fight where the party, the state party, etc., is going to get involved. So you're not just running against a person, you're running against the Republican Party," said Cárdenas.
"One of the reasons why people haven't gotten negative on Candace is because she's a good, wholesome person who is a mom, a wife, an energetic young woman who's ready to represent that district and she's represented it already on the school board," he added.
Still, Valenzuela remains an underdog in the race.
Olson's campaign did not release their first quarter fundraising numbers, but campaign manager Rachel Perry touted Olson's first-place standing in the March primary.
"Colonel Olson won the primary by 11 points, won the two largest counties, and won 65 percent of all precincts in the district. Our fundraising, grassroots energy, and organizing efforts are stronger than ever and we are confident that our continued momentum will propel Colonel Olson to another victory in the runoff," Perry said.
Perry's counterpart in the Valenzuela campaign, Geoff Simpson, said the first quarter fundraising figures are important, but said Valenzuela has an advantage in reaching the district's diverse population.
"The key to it is we're putting together a diverse coalition of support, which is what you need to win this minority-majority district," said Simpson.
"What people miss about this district, it is similar to other suburban districts, but this district is majority minority, it's a very diverse district and we need somebody who's going to excite the very diverse set of voters," he added
And like campaigns across the country, the fight for the 24th District of Texas has run into an unpredictable obstacle in the coronavirus pandemic.
Simpson said Valenzuela has taken to almost-daily Facebook live appearances, in the absence of in-person meetings with constituents, a duty that must now be juggled with in-house child care.
Valenzuela said the crisis has shown the challenges faced by everyday working families.
“What the past few weeks have shown is that now more than ever we need empathetic leaders, who will put Texan families first and lower health care costs, raise wages and ensure a good education for every child," said Valenzuela.
"We need leaders who care about doing the work to serve the working-class people who make our community strong, and not who gets the credit. I’m proud of the coalition we’re building, and I’ll be honored to work as hard for them in Washington as they do every day in Texas,” she added.
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La Opinión: BOLD PAC rompe récord en recaudación con $3.8 millones para que demócratas recuperen Congreso
La Opinión: BOLD PAC apoya a Marlene Galán-Woods para Distrito 01 de Arizona
La Opinión: Representante Linda Sánchez es reelecta como presidenta de BOLD PAC
La Opinión: Rubén Gallego gana posición en el Senado en Arizona para demócratas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2025 Contact: Karla Rodriguez Karla@chcboldpac.com BOLD PAC Endorses JoAnna Mendoza for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of its commitment to expanding Latino representation in Congress, CHC BOLD PAC is proud to endorse JoAnna Mendoza for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. A Marine Corps veteran, single mother, and the daughter of farmworkers, Mendoza embodies the grit and resilience of working families across Arizona. In just 60 days, she raised over $810,000—an impressive display of grassroots strength and undeniable momentum. Mendoza is the candidate to flip this seat and defeat Juan Ciscomani. “JoAnna Mendoza is exactly the kind of leader Washington needs right now – tough, tested, and rooted in community,” said CHC BOLD PAC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez . “She has served our country with honor, and now she’s answering the call to serve again. Juan Ciscomani has spent his time in Congress pushing a dangerous far-right agenda, siding with MAGA extremists, and putting party loyalty over the needs of Arizonans. JoAnna is a battle-tested Marine and a proven leader who knows what true service means. She has what it takes to flip this seat and fight for Arizona’s working families.” "I’m honored to have the support of BOLD PAC — a powerful voice for Latino representation and working families,” said JoAnna Mendoza . “As a proud Latina, Marine veteran, and native Arizonan, I know what it means to fight for opportunity and equity. In Congress, I'm looking forward to standing with BOLD to deliver for our communities and ensure every family gets a fair shot.” ABOUT JOANNA MENDOZA JoAnna Mendoza is a Marine veteran, dedicated public servant, and single mother who has spent her life fighting for her country and her community. Raised in a rural Arizona farming community, she learned the values of hard work and resilience from an early age. Her family often struggled to make ends meet, relying on safety-net programs, shaping her deep commitment to public service. At 17, JoAnna joined the Marines, where she served multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. She became a Drill Instructor, training the next generation of service members. After 20 years of honorable service, she continued her public service as a congressional staffer, a school board member, and a veteran advocate. JoAnna will be a relentless advocate for working families, rural communities, veterans, education, health care, and Arizona’s natural environment. CHC BOLD PAC CHC BOLD PAC is the campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and is dedicated to increasing diversity in the House and Senate by helping more Latinos get elected. CHC BOLD PAC led an unprecedented effort in the 2024 cycle, investing $6.1 million in independent expenditures – the largest in its history. Additionally, the Our ‘Lucha War Room ,’ initiative, a first-of-its-kind rapid-response program to combat misinformation targeting Latinos, reached millions of voters with content in both Spanglish and Spanish and cut through the noise with culturally resonant messaging. Thanks to these efforts, BOLD PAC helped secure seven new Democratic Latino members of Congress. ### CHC BOLD PAC , the campaign arm of the Hispanic Caucus, was founded in 2001 to increase Latino representation in Congress. Since its founding, BOLD PAC has more than doubled the size of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2025 Contact: Karla Rodriguez Karla@chcboldpac.com BOLD PAC Shatters Q1 Fundraising Record, Raises Over $3.2 Million in Push to Take Back the House and Senate Washington, D.C. - BOLD PAC, the campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, announced today that it raised over $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2025, marking its strongest Q1 fundraising total ever in an off-year. This record-breaking momentum underscores what Senator Cory Booker and Democrats across the country are saying: the fight to take back the House and Senate is on–and we are fired up. The $3.2 million raised this quarter significantly outpaces BOLD PAC’s Q1 totals in previous off-years. This includes the $2.01 million raised in the first quarter of 2017 when a sea of Democratic energy led the party to flip 43 seats in the House during Donald Trump’s first term. The record-breaking haul underscores how energized and mobilized Democrats are early in the midterm cycle. “Donald Trump is back in the White House, and our communities are already paying the price. He’s damaging our economy, rolling back our rights, threatening our Social Security and Medicare, and doubling down on the same extremist playbook that hurts working families,” said Chairwoman Linda Sánchez . “But we’re not backing down. This historic fundraising total shows how fired up the Democratic base is to hold him accountable. BOLD PAC is channeling that energy into action to protect our communities and take back the House and Senate next year.” ### CHC BOLD PAC , the campaign arm of the Hispanic Caucus, was founded in 2001 to increase Latino representation in Congress. Since its founding, BOLD PAC has more than doubled the size of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2025 Contact: Karla Rodriguez Karla@chcboldpac.com CHC BOLD PAC Endorses Marlene Galán-Woods in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District Washington D.C. - As part of its commitment to expanding Latino representation in Congress, today CHC BOLD PAC is endorsing Marlene Galán-Woods in AZ-01. CHC BOLD PAC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez released the following statement on this endorsement: “As the daughter of immigrants from Cuba, Marlene Galán-Woods is committed to fighting tirelessly in defense of individual rights and liberties,” said CHC BOLD PAC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez. “As a former broadcast journalist, she spent her career holding the corrupt and powerful accountable. A 36-year Arizona resident and mother of five, Marlene understands the challenges working families face. BOLD PAC is proud to endorse Marlene Galán-Woods for Congress in AZ-01.” “I'm honored to have the support of BOLD PAC. My parents immigrated from Cuba in the 60s in search of freedom and created a better life for their kids through hard work and sacrifice,” said Marlene Galán-Woods. “Now, we have a wannabe dictator threatening to tear down our country and complicit, silent members like David Schweikert helping them. We need fighters in this critical time and in Congress, I will stand up for Arizonans and protect our freedoms.” ABOUT MARLENE GALÁN-WOODS Marlene Galán-Woods is a longtime Arizona resident, former broadcast journalist, mother of five, and daughter of Cuban parents. She has spent her career holding the corrupt and powerful accountable and in 2022 she called out the lies and disinformation of the Republican party. Marlene served on Governor Katie Hobbs’ transition committee and, with her husband, founded the Mesa Arts Academy within the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley, which is dedicated to improving the lives of Arizona children. CHC BOLD PAC CHC BOLD PAC is the campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and is dedicated to increasing diversity in the House and Senate by helping more Latinos get elected. CHC BOLD PAC led an unprecedented effort in the 2024 cycle, investing $6.1 million in independent expenditures – the largest in its history. Additionally, the Our ‘Lucha War Room ,’ initiative, a first-of-its-kind rapid-response program to combat misinformation targeting Latinos, reached millions of voters with content in both Spanglish and Spanish and cut through the noise with culturally resonant messaging. Thanks to these efforts, BOLD PAC helped secure seven new Democratic Latino members of Congress. ### CHC BOLD PAC , the campaign arm of the Hispanic Caucus, was founded in 2001 to increase Latino representation in Congress. Since its founding, BOLD PAC has more than doubled the size of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2025 Contact: Karla Rodriguez Karla@chcboldpac.com CHC BOLD PAC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez Statement on the Passing of Representative Raúl Grijalva Washington, D.C. – CHC BOLD PAC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez issued the following statement on the passing of Representative Raúl Grijalva: “I am heartbroken by the passing of my friend and colleague, Representative Raúl Grijalva. He was a giant in the fight for working families, environmental rights, and the Latino community — dedicating decades to public service and fiercely advocating for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District. As a longtime Member of the Natural Resources Committee, Raúl fought to protect our environment, public lands, and Indigenous communities, ensuring future generations could enjoy and benefit from them. His absence will be deeply felt in Congress and across our BOLD familia. Raúl was more than a public servant; he was a mentor, a proud Latino leader, and a champion for those who needed him most. My thoughts are with his family, his constituents, and all who worked alongside him. May he rest in peace." ### CHC BOLD PAC , the campaign arm of the Hispanic Caucus, was founded in 2001 to increase Latino representation in Congress. Since its founding, BOLD PAC has more than doubled the size of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 05, 2025 Contact: Karla Rodriguez Karla@chcboldpac.com TRUMP’S FIRST MONTH HAS ONLY MADE LIFE MORE EXPENSIVE FOR AMERICANS WASHINGTON, D.C. – As President Trump delivered his first speech to a Joint Session of Congress, one fact is clear: his first month in office has done nothing to bring down costs for working families — in fact, he’s hurting their pocketbooks. Instead of fighting to lower prices at the grocery store, reduce the cost of prescription drugs, or lower the costs of housing, Trump has spent his time: Ignoring the spike in egg prices, with the national average hitting $5 in his first month back. Eggs shouldn’t be a luxury. Pressuring Republicans to pass a budget resolution that would cut $2 billion in federal Medicaid funds from each congressional district, gutting health care for 15.9 million Americans . Rolling back an executive order from the Biden administration to lower prescription drug prices to $2. Admitting—twice —that lowering costs and making life more affordable is not his top priority . “Donald Trump promised to help working Americans, but his first month back in the White House has been a disaster for their wallets,” said Chairwoman Linda Sánchez . “He’s proving once again that he’s only looking out for himself while Latino families foot the bill. BOLD PAC remains committed to electing leaders who will put working families first. We won’t let Trump’s disastrous policies go unchecked.” CHC BOLD PAC CHC BOLD PAC is the campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and is dedicated to increasing diversity in the House and Senate by helping more Latinos get elected. CHC BOLD PAC led an unprecedented effort in the 2024 cycle, investing $6.1 million in independent expenditures – the largest in BOLD’s history. Our ‘Lucha War Room,’ a first-of-its-kind rapid-response initiative, reached out to Latino voters with content in both Spanglish and Spanish, cutting through the noise with culturally resonant messaging. Thanks to these efforts, BOLD PAC helped secure seven new Democratic Latino members of Congress. ### CHC BOLD PAC , the campaign arm of the Hispanic Caucus, was founded in 2001 to increase Latino representation in Congress. Since its founding, BOLD PAC has more than doubled the size of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6th, 2024 Contact: Karla Rodriguez Karla@chcboldpac.com Statement from BOLD PAC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez on the Fourth Anniversary of January 6th Washington D.C. - Today, Chairwoman Linda Sánchez released a statement on the fourth anniversary of January 6th. “Four years ago, our nation witnessed a devastating attack on our democracy as a violent mob incited by Donald Trump, stormed the U.S. Capitol. This insurrection was not just an assault on a building—it was an assault on the very principles that uphold our democratic system,” said CHC BOLD PAC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez. “Today we upheld the peaceful transfer of power—even when elections don't go our way—is a cornerstone of our democracy, and Latino Democrats remained committed to upholding this principle. We will continue working tirelessly to ensure that our democratic processes and institutions serve the American people, no matter the outcome of future elections. “BOLD PAC will remain committed to its mission to fight misinformation, safeguard our democracy, and protect the institutions that uphold our freedoms. We will continue working tirelessly to empower our communities and ensure the promise of democracy is preserved for generations to come.” ### CHC BOLD PAC , the campaign arm of the Hispanic Caucus, was founded in 2001 to increase Latino representation in Congress. Since its founding, BOLD PAC has more than doubled the size of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
