Today, the Texas Organizing Project (TOP) announced the endorsements of Tameika Carter (Texas 400th District Court), J. Christian Becerra (Texas 434th District Court), and Teana V. Watson (Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 5), rounding out its slate of endorsed candidates for the 2020 general election.
TOP and TOP PAC are working to engage 1.6 million voters of color this cycle, the new voices of Texas who will make the difference in flipping the state. This year, TOP members screened more than 40 candidates this year in six counties across Texas — Harris, Dallas, Bexar, Fort Bend, Travis, and Nueces.
“As Fort Bend County continues to grow and become more diverse, so does the need for local judges who reflect our values and listen to our communities,” said Tangie Smith, a TOP board member from Harris County. “We are proud to endorse these candidates for their unapologetic commitment to justice and equity.”
For 10 years, TOP has worked to grow the electorate in Texas by engaging Black and Latino people with little or no history in voting. And for the first time in decades, Texas is a battleground state. Already, our $2 million program has sent more than one million texts and called more than 900,000 voters. Candidate Teana Watson adds, “TOP is on the cutting edge of the issues that will make our society a more just and fair place to live. I am honored to get their endorsement.”
“The people we elect to serve as judges across our state make decisions everyday that significantly impact the lives of Black and Latino Texans,” said Eric Mata, a TOP board member. “From reversing the damage of mass incarceration to fighting to end the unjust practice of cash bail, Tameika Carter, J. Christian Becerra, and Teana V. Watson will treat those who come before their bench with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
###
Texas Organizing Project organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris and Bexar counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.
This press release was sent out October 9, 2020.