Texas state Sen. Roland Gutierrez announced on Wednesday, May 17th, that he intends to run for the United States Senate in 2024. The senator from San Antonio confirmed his decision in a video posted to social media. The seat is currently held by Sen. Ted Cruz, who is up for reelection that year.
In his announcement video, Gutierrez stated that he believes Texans are “tired of politicians who prioritize party politics over Texans’ needs.” He highlighted issues such as healthcare, immigration, and education, saying that he wants to focus on providing solutions for these problems.
Gutierrez has been a member of the Texas Senate since 2021, representing the state’s 19th district. Prior to that, he served in the Texas House of Representatives for over a decade. He has also been a practicing attorney in Texas for over 25 years.
This will not be Gutierrez’s first time running for federal office. In 2020, he ran in the Democratic primary for Texas’s 20th Congressional District but lost to incumbent Rep. Joaquin Castro.
Gutierrez joins a growing list of Democrats who are considering a run for the Senate seat in 2024. Others include former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who narrowly lost to Cruz in 2018, and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro.
The race for the Texas Senate seat is likely to be closely watched and heavily contested, as it is one of several key races that could determine which party holds the majority in the Senate after the 2024 elections.