Speaker A
This isn't red versus blue. This is right versus wrong. This is about school, public school funding. This is about helping working folks. This is about lowering costs. This is about everyday working folks.
Democrat Taylor Rummet wins a Texas red district special election, highlighting grassroots campaigning and working-class issues as a blueprint to beat Trump-backed Republicans.
Key Takeaways
- Grassroots, on-the-ground campaigning focused on working-class issues can overcome financial disadvantages.
- Building trust and local connections is critical to winning in traditionally Republican districts.
- Public school funding and cost of living are key voter concerns in red states like Texas.
- Structural challenges like redistricting complicate Democratic efforts but can be mitigated by strong community engagement.
- Unions play a vital role in mobilizing and representing working-class voters.
Summary
- Taylor Rummet, a Democrat and Air Force veteran, won a special election in a deep red Texas district Trump won by 17 points.
- Rummet emphasizes grassroots campaigning, meeting voters, and focusing on working-class issues like lowering costs and supporting public schools.
- Despite being outspent 10 to 1 by his Republican opponent, Rummet won by a 14-point margin through building trust and local connections.
- Republican Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledges the significance of this swing but calls special elections quirky and not fully predictive.
- Rummet criticizes Texas Republicans' mid-cycle redistricting efforts as structural impediments to Democratic success.
- He stresses the importance of unions as partners in engaging and representing working-class voters.
- Rummet warns against public funds going to private schools via voucher programs, calling it detrimental to public education.
- The election signals potential challenges for Republicans in upcoming midterms if Democrats adopt similar grassroots strategies.
- Rummet advises candidates to listen first, learn voter concerns, and prioritize working-class needs over political divisions.
- The race underscores that money cannot replace genuine community relationships in winning elections.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker B
That was Texas State Senator-elect Taylor Rummet, a Democrat who just won a special election in deep red Tarrant County. That's in the Fort Worth suburbs.
Speaker B
His 14-point margin of victory is especially stunning since it was in a district that Donald Trump won by 17 points in 2024.
Speaker B
Donald Trump tried to distance himself from the race, but he is on record as publicly endorsing the Republican challenger. Take a listen though.
Speaker C
Somebody ran where?
Speaker B
In Texas, a special election for legislative.
Speaker C
The ninth Senate seat.
Speaker C
I'm not involved in that. That's a local Texas race.
Speaker B
You endorsed the Republican.
Speaker C
You mean I won by 17? And this person lost.
Speaker B
You did. Things like that happen. I mean, I know there's a race going there. And it's too bad.
Speaker B
Joining me now is the winner of that local Texas race, State Senator-elect Taylor Rummet.
Speaker B
He is also an Air Force veteran and a former union president.
Speaker B
Welcome. You are the man of the hour.
Speaker B
But what is your advice to other Democrats who are running in red districts or swing districts, since you apparently have the touch here?
Speaker A
Well, my advice doesn't just apply to Democrats. Anyone trying to serve and get elected, you got to do the work. You got to go and meet the folks where they're at, have the conversations by first listening and then learning the issues because that's what a true leader should do.
Speaker B
Well, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis thinks that this is a great strategy.
Speaker B
He had this to say about your win.
Speaker B
Quote, "Special elections are quirky and not necessarily projectable re: a general election. That said, a swing of this magnitude is not something that can be dismissed. Republicans should be clear-eyed about the political environment heading into the midterms."
Speaker B
Is Governor DeSantis right? Is your election a harbinger of things to come for the Republicans in the midterms, especially if the Democrats take your advice to get on the ground and figure out what the people really want and need?
Speaker A
That's dependent on who's willing to do the work.
Speaker A
And who's willing to keep working folks at the forefront of their campaign. Really, we have people here when I was knocking doors and having conversations with voters.
Speaker A
There is a need for lowering costs. People are struggling out here, having two or three jobs just to make ends meet.
Speaker A
It's not going to work.
Speaker A
People are upset, and people are even choosing between their medical treatment and rent and food.
Speaker A
And then we also have public schools right here in this great state suffering.
Speaker A
The public schools need help, and we got a voucher scam.
Speaker A
That's being implemented, and it's it's going to be bad.
Speaker A
Anytime public dollars go to private institutions, it's not good.
Speaker B
So all of that is not good. What's also not good in the great state of Texas is the Republican effort at the president's insistence to launch an unorthodox mid-cycle redistricting effort that's aimed at consolidating Republican power in the state, but also in the House of Representatives.
Speaker B
Those are structural impediments that are going to make it hard for Texas Democrats going forward.
Speaker B
Is your on-the-ground approach something that can overcome even those kinds of structural distortions?
Speaker A
I think only time will tell about that.
Speaker A
I think so.
Speaker A
What I really think is they should focus on, again, property taxes.
Speaker A
Lowering the cost of things.
Speaker A
That right there is going to be the best thing they could do to actually help folks.
Speaker A
And win elections because people are out here struggling.
Speaker B
One person who was not struggling in this season was your opponent.
Speaker B
Who outspent you, according to Axios, 10 to 1.
Speaker B
What lessons can you offer other Democrats who are facing GOP candidates with substantial financial advantages and deep pockets?
Speaker A
Well, first, first thing I would say is, yes.
Speaker A
I got spent roughly 10 to 1.
Speaker A
I got way outspent.
Speaker A
But the trust you can build by doing the work.
Speaker A
That is priceless.
Speaker A
The the trust in the community.
Speaker A
And so you can go against any amount of money.
Speaker A
Money doesn't replace relationships.
Speaker A
It cannot buy elections.
Speaker A
This was proof of that.
Speaker B
Mhm.
Speaker B
Is this just like going out and just meeting people, like going door-to-door? I mean, or did you have long-standing ties as a union organizer that kind of laid the groundwork for you?
Speaker B
I mean, can anyone do this or did you already have a significant advantage because of your prior work?
Speaker A
Well, that's a great question.
Speaker A
I would say that one thing I would like to point out is my team.
Speaker A
Was based right here, mostly in the Senate district.
Speaker A
If not in Tarrant County.
Speaker A
I think who knows the place best?
Speaker A
Then the people who live and work and and try and thrive here.
Speaker A
So that to me was a point that I wanted to make sure we talked about because.
Speaker A
You know, having that local connection, nothing can replace that.
Speaker A
I mean, again, you can spend a lot of money on on DC consultants and all this stuff.
Speaker A
But of course, also to the other point, like you mentioned.
Speaker A
Yes, the unions were great partners.
Speaker A
And I would say if anyone wants to get elected.
Speaker A
Focus on the unions.
Speaker A
Unions because they have the heartbeat of working folks.
Speaker A
And I want to make sure that that's who we represent because at the end of the day.
Speaker A
That's what I swore to serve and and advocate for.
Speaker A
Is working folks right here.
Topics:Taylor RummetTexas special electionDemocrats in red statesgrassroots campaigningworking-class issuespublic school fundingredistricting TexasRepublican vs Democratmidterm elections 2024union support
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