Leading members of the Democratic Party gave a big boost to a House Democrat who was targeted by progressives because of his pro-life, pro-gun stance.
Rep. Henry Cuellar’s re-election campaign announced Thursday morning that he has been endorsed by the top three House Democrats — Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar — signaling that Democratic leaders are taking no chances in their bid to expand their majority next year.
Jim Clyburn, Assistant Democratic Leader, and former Majority leader Steny Hoyer have also endorsed Cuellar. Former leaders Nancy Pelosi, Steny H. Hoyer, and Jim Clyburn also endorsed Cuellar.
Cuellar said in a release that it was an “honor” for him to have the former and current House Democratic Leadership support his campaign in 2024. He promised to “win again decisively in 2024” in order to “bring a Democratic majority into the House of Representatives.”
Cuellar’s 28th Congressional District, in Laredo, has been targeted by Republicans in recent years who want to crush Democratic hopes that Texas would become a battleground.
In November, he was able to win by 13 points against a Republican rival. However, the race had been so tight that a second round of voting was required.
Jessica Cisneros has been endorsed by the “Squad”, which includes Reps. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Ayanna PRESSLEY and Jamaal BOWMAN.
Senators Elizabeth Warren (D Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Cuellar’s pro-life and pro-Second Amendment stance was criticized both publicly and privately by progressives. Cuellar voted against Pelosi’s Women’s Health Protection Act, which was introduced on the House floor after the Supreme Court ruled that Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Ocasio Cortez said in his primary campaign that “the last leadership intervened [to save Cuellar], he thanked them by blocking party signature legislation. It was a victory lap that led to the child tax credit falling and putting millions of people at risk. ”
Jeffries’ Thursday statement in support of Cuellar shows that Cuellar remains a priority for the leadership. Democrats cannot afford to lose vulnerable members if they want to regain control over the House in November.
Henry Cuellar is a South Texas advocate and a well-known advocate. He has worked hard to create a bottom-up economy, from the middle to the top. Jeffries noted Cuellar’s unwavering commitment to the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which helped these important legislative accomplishments to a successful end. These laws have brought billions into Texas.
“Extreme MAGA Republicans targeted Henry for defeat last year. But the residents of South Texas decisively returned him back to Washington.”
