The Texas Blue Action Podcast

Early voting in the 2022 midterms has been underway for a few days, and the turnout thus far is, in a word, disappointing. Even regular, reliable, motivated voters have busy lives, and as they say, life happens - making it all the more important for ALL of us to get our votes in NOW. Chris Mosser hosts Lana Hansen and Sri Kulkarni for an update on the ongoing Two Million Texans initiative - the perfect tool for YOU to help get YOUR friends and family to the polls ASAP. Learn more and join us here: https://www.blueactiondems.com/2million.html

Several members of the Texas Blue Action crew had the privilege to attend a fundraiser with Beto O'Rourke on Sunday in Austin, which also featured a live performance (his last?) by Texas songwriting legend Robert Earl Keen. Today's podcast features Beto's remarks, and a stirring rendition of "Happy Birthday", as our man marks 50 years today! Thanks for listening, and for your support of Texas Blue Action Democrats.

Chris Mosser hosts Lana Hansen and Sri Kulkarni again this time for more on the Two Million Texans effort, which on one hand is going quite well - but on the other hand, can only REALLY succeed with YOUR participation. It's been a blast frankly, and is all the more important as Texas Republicans continue to step up their campaigns of disinformation and cruelty. Join us for a fun talk on the reasons to get involved - it's good for Texas, and it's good for you personally! Thanks as always for your support.

Guest host Chris Mosser of Progress Texas joins Texas Blue Action Dems Executive Director Lana Hansen and our new teammate Sri Kulkarni, who has signed on as Chief Strategist for the Two Million Texans initiative, an innovative networking effort that favors personal connections between voters over the same old boring and expensive marketing options. Sri tells us of similar efforts he helped push in Georgia, which resulted in TWO Democratic U.S. Senate wins, and thus the current Democratic majority! We hope you'll join us in this engaging, fun, important and effective effort for the fall election, which is now just weeks away. Learn all about Two Million Texans HERE. Thanks for listening!

Our good friend Mike Collier is running for Lieutenant Governor - arguably the most powerful office in Texas government - and now that he's a grandfather (congrats Mike!), his lifelong commitment to Texas kids and public education has never been stronger. With the recent horrifying news from the U.S. Supreme Court, it's also never been more imperative for voters to place backers of reproductive rights in every statewide office possible. Don't forget to VOTE (yes, again!) in the runoff election coming up on May 24.

Is it just us, or did this week's primary election end up a lot juicier than usual? A bunch of our faves prevailed and are onward to November, including Beto O'Rourke, Greg Casar, Susan Hays, and Luke Warford. We're also looking forward to a spirited runoff phase on the Dem side of the races for Lieutenant Governor, Land Commissioner and Attorney General - speaking of which, we also can't wait to watch Paxton and Bush beat each other about the head and neck. Progress Texas' Ed Espinoza and Chris Mosser join us for a tour of the aftermath, and a discussion of what's to come.

It's been awhile, but we're back! The deteriorating state of public schools in our state is not only frightening, it also appears to be by design. What will it take to save public education, which has been a vital cornerstone of communities across the Lone Star State for generations? Texas Blue Action Democrats President Lana Hansen is joined by our co-founder Carrie Collier-Brown, award-winning educator and current Blue Action Regional Organizer for Travis County Courtney Perry, and Laura Yeager of the public education advocacy group Just Fund It. Thanks for listening!

Austin-based activist Becky Bullard is known for her work with Rouser and the feminist podcast The Rabble, and she's launching a new initiative she has named Democrasexy! And we're excited, because the sexier democracy is, the more of us will get involved to defend it. A great idea, and a great conversation! Thanks so much for your support.

Our long-indicted AG Ken Paxton is facing a growing number of challengers for his job, including a growing rogue's gallery from within his own party, and several solid Democratic candidates as well. One of them is Rochelle Garza, who joins Lana to talk about her vision of the position and the ways in which a more reasonable, compassionate and progressive AG could help transform Texas into its very best state.

The mysterious and powerful Texas Railroad Commission is both the political backbone of the Texas energy sector AND directly culpable in the winter freeze disaster last February. It has little to nothing to do with railroads! Luke Warford has declared his candidacy to this important regulatory body and talks to Lana about the outdated and corrupt state of the agency and what his priorities would be if elected.

Lana talks with Texas State Representative Erin Zweiner of District 45, who won her first race (while pregnant!) by uniting voters in San Marcos, Kyle, Wimberley and Dripping Springs with the truth that progressive values are Texas values. What's the post-redistricting battle in rural counties like 45 likely to involve? We discuss.

Science-heeding parents nationwide are breathing a sigh of relief as vaccine approval approaches for kids under 12. Lana is joined to discuss the way forward, and how to deal with the ever-more-incorrigible anti-vax element, with Jinny Suh of Immunize Texas (and a candidate for Texas Land Commissioner), and Austin-area pediatrician Dr. Jyotika Kapur.

The Texas Blue Action Democrats organization, first launched in Southwest Austin, has become the new model of best practices when it comes to progressive grassroots community organizing in Texas, and is now a franchise that has spread across the state. How did it start, and what will be its future impact on Texas politics? Lana is joined by co-founder Carrie Collier-Brown, current board member Julie Oliver, and Progress Texas Executive Director (and Texas Blue Action member) Ed Espinoza.

Texas Democrats' heads are spinning after the close of the most egregious session yet (with no guarantee that it's over). Between every different kind of hateful legislation imaginable and blatantly racist redistricting designed to steal power for the GOP for the next decade, progressives in Texas might be inclined to lose hope - but it's NOT time to give up. State Reps James Talarico and Alex Dominguez join us for an inside look - and provide inspiring reasons to continue the fight for a better Texas.

What do young people of Texas want the political future of our state to look like? What do they want in candidates, policy and agency? This week we go straight to the source: three of the Lone Star State's most tireless young progressive advocates - Katya Ehresman, Jeffrey Clemmons and Ric Galvan - for a first hand account on the hopes, dreams and plans of the next generation.

We've come a long way, baby - but there's still a long way to go in Texas when it comes to a level playing field for progressive women running for office. From fundraising, to family expectations and social pressures, to career obligations - it's simply a different game for women. We welcome three candidates who've lived this struggle themselves: Candace Valenzuela, Akilah Bacy and Stephanie Phillips share their stories and hard-earned wisdom.

As Texas enacts Permitless Carry (there's nothing "Constitutional" about it), responsible Texans may be wondering not only how to stay safe in our communities, but how to fight back against this latest GOP delusion. Who better to consult than Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, the most influential grassroots organization against gun violence in the United States.

The battle over masking in Texas schools continues on multiple fronts. This week we're joined for a discussion on Texas school masking policy and politics by Travis County Judge Andy Brown, Round Rock Board of Trustees member Tiffanie Harrison, Safe Schools For All Legal Director and Ground Game Texas Political Director Mike Siegel, and Dr. J.P. Santiago of Denton County.

The debut session for the new Texas Blue Action Podcast! Executive Director Lana Hansen is joined by guests TX State Rep. Donna Howard and social justice advocates Stephanie Gomez and Jeni Putalavage-Ross for a discussion of the latest on the oppressive new Texas abortion law, SB8.