Will Hurd’s Latest Challenger

Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX) just got another challenger. An appointee of bothPresident Barack Obama and Bill Clinton,Judy Canales officially announced her bid for the Democratic ticket in the congressional race for the 23rd District of Texas. She is the first Latina to run in the district, and if elected would be the state’s first Latina in Congress. The University of Texas at Austin graduate went on to earn two Masters; one from Trinity University and the other from Harvard University. "As I've talked to people about what's important to them, they tell me jobs and their children's future. Too many have told me they're running out of hope and that is unacceptable. This is my community, my home and the people of the 23rd District deserve a champion that will work on their behalf, not against them and the self-interests," she told The Beat DC. "I stand on the shoulders of so many primeras who came before me. They fought for inclusiveness, for a seat at the table and representation. It's true that Texas does not have any Latinas serving in the U.S. Congress but it hasn't been because none have run before. Many have and I stand on their shoulders as well. If I'm elected it would be an honor to be the first, and I would work every day to make sure that I am not the last." In the primary, Canales faces former federal prosecutor Jay Hulings and former Air Force Intelligence officer, Gina Ortiz Jones, who is of Filipino descent. Learn more about her here.