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.