2022 Texas Democratic Convention Recap: Candidates Flocked Texas AFT’s Respect Educators Caucus

Last weekend, dozens of Texas AFT members attended the 2022 Texas Democratic Convention in Dallas.

Introducing the Respect Slate

A number of Texas AFT’s endorsed candidates took the stage, including Beto O’Rourke, Mike Collier, and Rochelle Garza — all members of what we call the “Respect Slate,” a full ballot of statewide candidates who have vowed their support for public education and educators.

Texas A-F-T endorsed candidates for statewide office: Beto O'Rourke for governor; Mike Collier for lieutenant governor; Rochelle Garza for attorney general; Janet T Dudding for comptroller; Jay Kleberg for land commissioner; Susan Hays for agriculture commissioner; and Luke Warford for railroad commissioner.

Respect Educators Caucus

Texas AFT hosted a caucus meeting in which our members heard directly from candidates and elected officials about the issues that matter most to Texas teachers and school employees.

At our union’s booth in the exhibit hall, Texas AFT staff enjoyed meeting active and retired school employees and having discussions about your priorities. You are our union, and your voices guide our political and policy priorities.

State Senator Royce West addressing the crowd
State Senator Royce West addressing Texas AFT members at our Respect Educators Caucus at the 2022 Texas Democratic Convention.

The Texas Democratic Party is close to adopting a platform that is strong on public education. Thank you to our own Patty Quinzi, director for Public Affairs, for volunteering her time to help lead the effort.

With more than 650,000 school employees in this state, we have power. And candidates and elected officials are paying attention. In Beto O’Rourke’s latest fundraising haul for his campaign for governor, teachers were a driving force behind his campaign, having contributed more than any other profession.

Screenshot of a tweet from Mike Collier that says, "As Lieutenant Governor, I will lead the Legislature to amend our constitution to ban forever private school vouchers. Because vouchers are for vultures." Included in the tweet is a photo of the candidate addressing the Democratic Convention.

Let us continue building our power and working through November to demand the respect we deserve.