Ep. 38: From Political Rivals to Friends (Rep. Cassandra Hernandez) Jun 25, 2026

Kate's primary rival turned good friend joins the podcast. State Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (HD-115) beat Kate in the March 2024 Democratic primary, and this episode is the full story of that race, how they built a real friendship out of it, and what it means heading into the general election season. With Texas Democrats gathering in Corpus Christi this week for the state convention, this conversation is a reminder of what it looks like when Democrats come together after a hard primary to fight for the bigger goal: flipping the state.

Plus: Alex is about to become board president of a 75-year-old Dallas preschool, Cassandra's district office officially opens this month, and Kate makes summer plans.

We discuss:

How Cassandra went from losing her first race to becoming a state rep — and the piece of advice from a sitting appellate justice that changed how she handled the loss
The "olive branch" pact she and Kate made before the primary even started — and what it actually looked like behind the scenes
Inside the quorum break: what it was like meeting governors in New York and organizers in Chicago, and why she says "Texas Democrats have fight — we just need help"
The DLCC's new push to target 12 Texas House seats, and why Cassandra says the resources need to come "yesterday"
Why the GOP's mid-decade redistricting fight is now baked into every future legislative session
Her block-walking philosophy: why door-knocking beats everything else, and how her team is using off-cycle elections to build long-term voter relationships
The honor of serving alongside state-wide candidates Vikki Goodwin, James Talarico, Gina Hinojosa, and Jon Rosenthal — and what she learned watching them fight up close

Follow Cassandra: @CasForTX | cassandrafortexas.com

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 37 (audio): The Obama Organizer Who Showed Up in Sherman and Changed Alex's Life (Scott Mackey) Jun 18, 2026

Alex has told this story before — how a campaign organizer showed up in Sherman, Texas of all places, and changed the trajectory of his life. This week, that organizer is finally on the mic. Scott Mackey recruited Alex as a high school senior during the 2008 Texas Democratic primary, back when the campaign had no budget, no VAN data, and was cutting turf on hand-drawn Google Maps. It's a homecoming conversation and nostalgia journey.

But Scott and the hosts don't just stay in 2008. They use the Obama years as a lens for everything that's happened since — what that campaign got right about organizing and message, where the party has drifted, and what it would actually take to build that kind of coalition again in Texas and beyond.

In this conversation:

How Scott went from Peace Corps-bound in Guatemala to catching a flight to South Carolina the morning after New Hampshire
Organizing Sherman with no data, no staff, and hand-drawn turf maps — and what that scrappy model still teaches
The Obama organizing principle of "respect, empower, include" — and how far Democrats have drifted from it
Why Trump's rise runs on the same playbook as Obama's, just a different feeling
James Talarico's "top vs. bottom" framing and why it's connecting where traditional Democratic messaging hasn't
Citizens United, dark money, and how Democrats became the party defending institutions instead of people
The 2028 primary field — and why the candidate who changes everything might not be on anyone's radar yet

Plus: Scott ran the 2030 census numbers — and even holding Obama's exact 2008 map, Democrats lose seven electoral votes. The old math won't cut it.

Follow Scott: @scottmackeywriter on Instagram
Scott's novel: Love Is Not The Answer
Learn more: Veterans for All Voters — veteransforallvoters.org

Support the show:

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 37 (video): The Obama Organizer Who Showed Up in Sherman and Changed Alex's life (Scott Mackey) Jun 18, 2026

Alex has told this story before — how a campaign organizer showed up in Sherman, Texas of all places, and changed the trajectory of his life. This week, that organizer is finally on the mic. Scott Mackey recruited Alex as a high school senior during the 2008 Texas Democratic primary, back when the campaign had no budget, no VAN data, and was cutting turf on hand-drawn Google Maps. It's a homecoming conversation and nostalgia journey.

But Scott and the hosts don't just stay in 2008. They use the Obama years as a lens for everything that's happened since — what that campaign got right about organizing and message, where the party has drifted, and what it would actually take to build that kind of coalition again in Texas and beyond.

In this conversation:

How Scott went from Peace Corps-bound in Guatemala to catching a flight to South Carolina the morning after New Hampshire
Organizing Sherman with no data, no staff, and hand-drawn turf maps — and what that scrappy model still teaches
The Obama organizing principle of "respect, empower, include" — and how far Democrats have drifted from it
Why Trump's rise runs on the same playbook as Obama's, just a different feeling
James Talarico's "top vs. bottom" framing and why it's connecting where traditional Democratic messaging hasn't
Citizens United, dark money, and how Democrats became the party defending institutions instead of people
The 2028 primary field — and why the candidate who changes everything might not be on anyone's radar yet

Plus: Scott ran the 2030 census numbers — and even holding Obama's exact 2008 map, Democrats lose seven electoral votes. The old math won't cut it.

Follow Scott: @scottmackeywriter on Instagram
Scott's novel: Love Is Not The Answer
Learn more: Veterans for All Voters — veteransforallvoters.org

Support the show: Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 36 (audio only): Texas Republicans Ranked From Least to Most Corrupt and Radical Jun 11, 2026

The primaries are over. The runoffs are done. What Texas Republicans just sent to the general election ballot may be the most corrupt and radical slate this state has ever seen. This week, Kate and Alex rank all eight GOP statewide nominees — scored on corruption and radicalism — and break down what Democrats need to know before November.

Plus: Alex is back from a week off with a new look and good news to share.

We discuss:

The Paxton-Cornyn runoff is a postmortem on the Texas GOP establishment. Paxton won by nearly 30 points. Cook Political Report has shifted the Senate race to "Lean Republican" — real signal for the fall.
The rankings, from least to most corrupt and radical:

#8 Nate Sheets (Agriculture Commissioner nominee)

#7 Dawn Buckingham (Land Commissioner)

#6 Mayes Middleton (Attorney General nominee)

#5 Greg Abbott (Governor)

#4 Bo French (Railroad Commissioner nominee)

#3 Don Huffines (Comptroller nominee)

#2 Dan Patrick (Lieutenant Governor)

#1 Ken Paxton (U.S. Senate nominee)

How did we do? Agree or disagree?

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 36 (Video): Texas Republicans Ranked From Least to Most Corrupt and Radical Jun 11, 2026

The primaries are over. The runoffs are done. What Texas Republicans just sent to the general election ballot may be the most corrupt and radical slate this state has ever seen. This week, Kate and Alex rank all eight GOP statewide nominees — scored on corruption and radicalism — and break down what Democrats need to know before November.

Plus: Alex is back from a week off with a new look and good news to share.

We discuss:

The Paxton-Cornyn runoff is a postmortem on the Texas GOP establishment. Paxton won by nearly 30 points. Cook Political Report has shifted the Senate race to "Lean Republican" — real signal for the fall.
The rankings, from least to most corrupt and radical:

#8 Nate Sheets (Agriculture Commissioner)
#7 Dawn Buckingham (Land Commissioner)
#6 Mayes Middleton (AG nominee)
#5 Greg Abbott (Governor)
#4 Bo French (Railroad Commissioner nominee)
#3 Don Huffines (Comptroller nominee)
#2 Dan Patrick (Lieutenant Governor)
#1 Ken Paxton (U.S. Senate nominee)

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 35 (audio): Sarah Eckhardt on the Comptroller Race, One-Party Rule, and How the GOP Is Gutting Your Public Schools Jun 04, 2026

Texas State Senator Sarah Eckhardt joins Kate to break down the race for Texas Comptroller — one of the most powerful offices in state government that almost nobody's talking about. Eckhardt, the Democratic nominee, faces Don Huffines, the multimillionaire who purchased the Epstein Ranch and is promising to gut public education and "DOGE" state government. Kate and Senator Eckhardt make the case for why this race could determine the future of Texas.

Plus: Senator Eckhardt heads to an LGBTQ-founded food bank in Amarillo after the interview — a community effort that's grown into a lifeline for Panhandle families struggling with the rising cost of living.

We cover:

Why the Texas Comptroller is the most powerful office you've never heard of — and why it matters who holds it
The case against Don Huffines: the Epstein Ranch, a history of buying seats, and a plan to weaponize the comptroller's office
Public education as the greatest engine of prosperity ever created — and what vouchers are really doing to Texas schools
What Eckhardt would actually do as Comptroller: transparent voucher audits, economic impact reporting, raising the basic allotment, and indexing it to inflation
Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation — including double-digit uninsured rates for children — and what Medicaid non-expansion is actually costing insured Texans
No-bid state contracts up fourfold since 2019, TEA takeovers funneling schools to private contractors, and the normalization of corruption
The "don't California my Texas" myth — and the actual numbers
Amarillo staring down the world's largest data center next door while 17 of 26 Panhandle counties are maternity deserts
Why 2026 could outperform 2018 — and what grassroots organizing can do that MAGA millions can't buy
Last Word: if you don't do politics, politics will do you

Support Senator Eckhardt: SarahEckhardt.com | Volunteer, donate, and follow @SarahEckhardtTX

Support the show: Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 35 (video): Sarah Eckhardt on the Comptroller Race, One-Party Rule, and How the GOP Is Gutting Your Public Schools Jun 04, 2026

Texas State Senator Sarah Eckhardt joins Kate to break down the race for Texas Comptroller — one of the most powerful offices in state government that almost nobody's talking about. Eckhardt, the Democratic nominee, faces Don Huffines, the multimillionaire who purchased the Epstein Ranch and is promising to gut public education and "DOGE" state government. Kate and Senator Eckhardt make the case for why this race could determine the future of Texas.

Plus: Senator Eckhardt heads to an LGBTQ-founded food bank in Amarillo after the interview — a community effort that's grown into a lifeline for Panhandle families struggling with the rising cost of living.

We cover:

Why the Texas Comptroller is the most powerful office you've never heard of — and why it matters who holds it
The case against Don Huffines: the Epstein Ranch, a history of buying seats, and a plan to weaponize the comptroller's office
Public education as the greatest engine of prosperity ever created — and what vouchers are really doing to Texas schools
What Eckhardt would actually do as Comptroller: transparent voucher audits, economic impact reporting, raising the basic allotment, and indexing it to inflation
Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation — including double-digit uninsured rates for children — and what Medicaid non-expansion is actually costing insured Texans
No-bid state contracts up fourfold since 2019, TEA takeovers funneling schools to private contractors, and the normalization of corruption
The "don't California my Texas" myth — and the actual numbers
Amarillo staring down the world's largest data center next door while 17 of 26 Panhandle counties are maternity deserts
Why 2026 could outperform 2018 — and what grassroots organizing can do that MAGA millions can't buy
Last Word: if you don't do politics, politics will do you

Support Senator Eckhardt: SarahEckhardt.com | Volunteer, donate, and follow @SarahEckhardtTX

Support the show: Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 34 (Video): She's Suing Greg Abbott (Angel Carroll) May 28, 2026

You may have seen Angel on the news talking Texas politics. But what you may not know is that Angel Carroll spent her career fighting for criminal justice reform, ran for the Texas House, and was arrested at the Texas Capitol during the redistricting protest. Now she's suing Governor Greg Abbott for banning her from the building without due process. Kate and Alex sit down with Angel to hear the full story: what led her to that moment, what happened inside county jail, and why this lawsuit is about so much more than four women and a one-year ban.

Plus: Kate spoke at a veterans event, Alex celebrates 14 years of marriage, and Angel shares a milestone birthday and a prayer she made at 16 that she never thought she'd live to see answered.

We cover:

Angel's path from the foster care system to the Texas Capitol
What actually happened the night Nicole Collier was locked on the House floor
The moment Angel decided she wasn't leaving and what that felt like
30 state troopers for four women: the arrest and six hours in Travis County jail
Charges rejected, but the ban upheld — the constitutional case for why that's wrong
The Alabama pilgrimage: Africatown, the Selma bridge, and the lynching museum
Marching orders: what every Texan can do right now to fight back

Follow Angel:

@iangelcarroll on social media

Support the show:

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 34 (Audio): She's Suing Greg Abbott (Angel Carroll) May 28, 2026

You may have seen Angel on the news talking Texas politics. But what you may not know is that Angel Carroll spent her career fighting for criminal justice reform, ran for the Texas House, and was arrested at the Texas Capitol during the redistricting protest. Now she's suing Governor Greg Abbott for banning her from the building without due process. Kate and Alex sit down with Angel to hear the full story: what led her to that moment, what happened inside county jail, and why this lawsuit is about so much more than four women and a one-year ban.

Plus: Kate spoke at a veterans event, Alex celebrates 14 years of marriage, and Angel shares a milestone birthday and a prayer she made at 16 that she never thought she'd live to see answered.

We cover:

Angel's path from the foster care system to the Texas Capitol
What actually happened the night Nicole Collier was locked on the House floor
The moment Angel decided she wasn't leaving and what that felt like
30 state troopers for four women: the arrest and six hours in Travis County jail
Charges rejected, but the ban upheld — the constitutional case for why that's wrong
The Alabama pilgrimage: Africatown, the Selma bridge, and the lynching museum
Marching orders: what every Texan can do right now to fight back

Follow Angel:

@iangelcarroll on social media

Support the show:

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 33 (Video): Olivia Julianna on Faith, the Texas Primary, and the Key to Flipping Texas May 21, 2026

Olivia Julianna, a Gen Z activist, strategist, and content creator based in Texas. Her work has reached millions online, and she's become one of the most recognizable young Democratic voices in the country.

This week, Kate and Alex sit down with Olivia to talk about building a political movement in Texas, and why community is the foundation everything else gets built on.

Olivia traces her origin story from a conservative Christian household in rural Fort Bend County to going viral during the 2020 election, taking on Matt Gaetz at 19, and raising $2.3 million for abortion funds in the aftermath of Dobbs. She shares what it was like to be thrust into a national spotlight before she'd even finished her freshman year of college, and why she didn't feel the weight of it until she was standing in the Oval Office with Joe Biden four years later.

Plus: Olivia is moving to Austin, Alex is crashing a teenager's D&D birthday quest, and Kate is taking her four-year-old to ACL for the very first time.

*Note: this was recorded before Trump's Texas Primary endorsement announcement.

Why Olivia started making TikToks in 2020, and how she reached a million views before she could even vote
Getting attacked by a sitting member of Congress at 19, and turning it into $2.3 million for fifty abortion funds
Being pushed out of her ministry for abortion advocacy, and how James Talarico helped her find her way back to her faith
The "villager" theory of organizing: show up for your community before you need something from it
Why the Democratic big tent in Texas has to be bigger than most party insiders are comfortable with
Olivia's prediction on the Cornyn-Paxton runoff and what it means for Talarico in November
How Texas congressional seats could determine the House majority
The 18-to-29 neighbor stat: down from 51% to 25% since 2012, and what Democrats need to do about it

Where to find Olivia:

All platforms: @OliviaJulianna

Substack: oliviajulianna.co

Support the show:

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 33 (Audio): Olivia Julianna on Faith, the Texas Primary, and the Key to Flipping Texas May 21, 2026

Olivia Julianna, a Gen Z activist, strategist, and content creator based in Texas. Her work has reached millions online, and she's become one of the most recognizable young Democratic voices in the country.

This week, Kate and Alex sit down with Olivia to talk about building a political movement in Texas, and why community is the foundation everything else gets built on.

Olivia traces her origin story from a conservative Christian household in rural Fort Bend County to going viral during the 2020 election, taking on Matt Gaetz at 19, and raising $2.3 million for abortion funds in the aftermath of Dobbs. She shares what it was like to be thrust into a national spotlight before she'd even finished her freshman year of college, and why she didn't feel the weight of it until she was standing in the Oval Office with Joe Biden four years later.

Plus: Olivia is moving to Austin, Alex is crashing a teenager's D&D birthday quest, and Kate is taking her four-year-old to ACL for the very first time.

*Note: this was recorded before Trump's Texas Primary endorsement announcement.

Why Olivia started making TikToks in 2020, and how she reached a million views before she could even vote
Getting attacked by a sitting member of Congress at 19, and turning it into $2.3 million for fifty abortion funds
Being pushed out of her ministry for abortion advocacy, and how James Talarico helped her find her way back to her faith
The "villager" theory of organizing: show up for your community before you need something from it
Why the Democratic big tent in Texas has to be bigger than most party insiders are comfortable with
Olivia's prediction on the Cornyn-Paxton runoff and what it means for Talarico in November
How Texas congressional seats could determine the House majority
The 18-to-29 neighbor stat: down from 51% to 25% since 2012, and what Democrats need to do about it

Where to find Olivia:

All platforms: @OliviaJulianna

Substack: oliviajulianna.co

Support the show:

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 32 (Video version): SCOTUS Gutted the Voting Rights Act. What's Next? (Mimi Marziani, Esq.) May 14, 2026

Constitutional law attorney, voting rights expert, and former president of the Texas Civil Rights Project Mimi Marziani joins Kate and Alex to break down the Supreme Court's Callais decision — and what it means for Texas, for redistricting, and for democracy itself.

Plus: Mimi's clients are refusing to be silenced, Alex's daughter turns four, and Kate announces she's hanging a shingle.

What we discuss:

What the Callais decision actually holds — and why Justice Thomas's concurrence may be more honest about it than the majority opinion
The 25-year arc from Bush v. Gore to Crawford to Shelby County to Rucho to Callais — a slow burn with a fast finish
Why the court reaching out to decide a question the parties didn't ask is virtually unprecedented, and what Citizens United has in common with it
The immediate-effect ruling and why the only plausible explanation is to benefit Republicans in the 2026 midterms
The Texas redistricting fight: how a 150-page federal court finding got swatted away on the shadow docket
The Republican Party of Texas lawsuit seeking to restrict primary participation — and Mimi's amicus brief
Tennessee's new map, the Memphis dismemberment, and what comes next
Why 2030 redistricting is the stakes underneath the stakes — and why Texas is about to gain five more congressional seats
What it would take for Congress to act: the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the filibuster, and what 2029 might look like
The one thing standing between Republicans and unlimited gerrymandering: losing

"Republicans in Texas believe in Texas Democrats more than Texas Democrats do." — Mimi Marziani

Read Mimi's new article: Weaponized Oversight: Texas’s Escalating Campaign Against Nonprofit Advocacy & the Chilling Effect on Speech and Association, 45 Rev. Litig. (forthcoming 2026), available at https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6748785.

Support the show:

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 32: SCOTUS Gutted the Voting Rights Act. What's Next? (Mimi Marziani, Esq.) May 14, 2026

Constitutional law attorney, voting rights expert, and former president of the Texas Civil Rights Project Mimi Marziani joins Kate and Alex to break down the Supreme Court's Callais decision — and what it means for Texas, for redistricting, and for democracy itself.

Plus: Mimi's clients are refusing to be silenced, Alex's daughter turns four, and Kate announces she's hanging a shingle.

What we discuss:

What the Callais decision actually holds — and why Justice Thomas's concurrence may be more honest about it than the majority opinion
The 25-year arc from Bush v. Gore to Crawford to Shelby County to Rucho to Callais — a slow burn with a fast finish
Why the court reaching out to decide a question the parties didn't ask is virtually unprecedented, and what Citizens United has in common with it
The immediate-effect ruling and why the only plausible explanation is to benefit Republicans in the 2026 midterms
The Texas redistricting fight: how a 150-page federal court finding got swatted away on the shadow docket
The Republican Party of Texas lawsuit seeking to restrict primary participation — and Mimi's amicus brief
Tennessee's new map, the Memphis dismemberment, and what comes next
Why 2030 redistricting is the stakes underneath the stakes — and why Texas is about to gain five more congressional seats
What it would take for Congress to act: the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the filibuster, and what 2029 might look like
The one thing standing between Republicans and unlimited gerrymandering: losing

"Republicans in Texas believe in Texas Democrats more than Texas Democrats do." — Mimi Marziani

Read Mimi's new article: Weaponized Oversight: Texas’s Escalating Campaign Against Nonprofit Advocacy & the Chilling Effect on Speech and Association, 45 Rev. Litig. (forthcoming 2026), available at https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6748785.

Support the show:

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 31: The Texas Congressional Race Getting National Attention (Katy Padilla-Stout) May 07, 2026

Texas's 23rd congressional district just got a whole lot more interesting. Republican Congressman Tony Gonzalez resigned amid a sex scandal, leaving 800,000 Texans without representation — and Greg Abbott refuses to call a special election. Katy Padilla-Stout, a San Antonio attorney, former teacher, child welfare advocate, and mom of four, won a four-way Democratic primary outright on just $50K. Now she's taking on "AK Guy" Brandon Herrera — a gunfluencer with Nazi-adjacent baggage who wasn't even registered to vote when he first ran — in one of the most competitive and diverse congressional districts in the country.

Kate and Alex dig into what's really at stake in TX-23, why this race is winnable, and why the district has never elected an extremist — or a congresswoman. Yet.

Plus: Kate got promoted in the military (views expressed here are her own). Alex launched his law firm. And Katy is spending her 41st birthday watching the Devil Wears Prada sequel with her closest friends.

In this episode:

The Tony Gonzalez scandal: what actually happened with his staffer, and why it's worse than you think
Who is Brandon Herrera, her opponent? His YouTube channel, his Confederate ties, and his joke about veterans
TX-23 geography: 800 miles of border, 26+ counties, and why you have to win both Bexar and the rural
National support: Jamie Raskin's group, EMILY's List, MoveOn, and the Hispanic Caucus Gold Pack
Running for Congress with four kids, including two she adopted
The poll showing Katy within margin of error against Herrera despite Trump's +12 in the district

Support Katy:

Website: katyforcongress.com

Socials: @katy4congress on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook

Support the show:

Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 30: Fighting for the RGV - Julio Salinas on Flipping South Texas Apr 30, 2026

If you want to flip Texas, you have to win the Rio Grande Valley. This week on Mission: Texas, we're sitting down with Julio Salinas — 26 years old, son of a migrant farm worker, former Texas House legislative director, and the candidate who just shocked the entire RGV political establishment by finishing first in a three-way primary for Texas House District 41. He's heading into a runoff against a candidate who only voted in a Democratic primary for the first time in 2024.

We also get into el dedazo, the kingmaker problem in RGV politics, why immigration and the economy are two sides of the same coin in a region that runs on cross-border tourism, and what it means when your aunt gets detained by ICE on the same night you find out you won your primary.

Plus: Julio reveals he took up fencing in college because of a girl, Kate shares a personal milestone in her journey toward federal criminal defense work, and Alex is heading to a very important banquet tonight.

In this episode:

Julio's origin story: from knocking doors at 15 to the Texas House floor
Why being called a "career staffer" by a millionaire banker might be the best attack line a candidate could hope for
The data infrastructure gap that has left the Valley behind — and how Julio's campaign is fixing it
HD-41's 24-point Trump swing: what happened and who Democrats need to win back
Why immigration IS an economic issue in South Texas — and why downtown McAllen is now empty
El dedazo: the kingmaker machine Julio is running to disrupt
Leaders We Deserve, Greg Casar's endorsement, and the new generation of Texas Democratic infrastructure
The runoff: May 26th, early voting starts May 18th

Follow & Connect:

Julio Salinas: @Julio4RGV on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook | julio4rgv.com — donate if you can, this is one of the most important runoffs in the state
Leaders We Deserve: leaderswedeserve.com
Mission: Texas on social: @missiontexaspodcast

Support the show: Independent Texas media needs your support. Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast for just a few dollars a month, or leave us a five-star review wherever you listen. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 29: Abbott Called It Antifa. Texans Called It a Saturday. (What's Next for the No Kings Movement) Apr 23, 2026

This week, we're sitting down with Shelby Evans, the lead organizer behind Austin's No Kings rally, to find out how the movement actually works, who's showing up, and what comes next.

Shelby breaks down the nuts and bolts of coalition organizing — the eight-week runway, the open call for artists and musicians, the trilingual programming in English, Spanish, and ASL, and the 80+ organizations that ran out of paper at their sign-up tables. She also explains why No Kings is a movement, not a moment — and how every rally is a funnel into sustained, local action.

Plus: Alex makes a big personal announcement, Kate shares a family celebration in El Paso, and Shelby drops her drag name.

In this episode:

How No Kings National and local orgs coordinate — and why decentralization is the point
The "show-upocracy": why showing up is the backbone of organizing
No Kings 3 by the numbers: 8–9 million participants nationwide, 100+ voter registrations in Austin alone
Why the movement is pivoting toward May Day and labor solidarity

Follow & Connect:

Hands Off Central Texas: handsoffcentraltx.org | @handsoffcentraltx on all platforms
League of Women Voters: lwv.org (find your local chapter)
Shelby Evans: @shelbyhaeve on all platforms (Miss B. Haeve)
Mission: Texas on social: @missiontexaspodcast

Support the show: Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠

Ep. 28: Junior Ezeonu & The Primary Upset That's Changing Texas Democrats Apr 16, 2026

Junior Ezeonu just pulled off one of the most compelling primary upsets in recent Texas Democratic politics — defeating a 16-year incumbent in a safe blue seat, severely outspent, on grassroots power alone. Now he's headed to the Texas State House representing Texas House District 101, and he's got a roadmap for flipping the legislature by 2030.

Kate and Alex sit down with the Grand Prairie city council member turned state rep-elect to talk housing affordability, the 2030 redistricting fight, why East Texas could change everything, and what Democrats keep getting wrong about their own message.

In this episode:

How Junior beat incumbent Chris Turner in the Democratic primary with $100K vs. a vastly bigger war chest — and what that means for the "money wins" conventional wisdom
His two-part housing affordability plan: banning private equity from buying single-family homes and a state-subsidized mortgage buy-down program for first-time buyers
Why the average age of a first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old (up from 31 just two decades ago) and what to do about it
The corporate PAC pledge: Junior hasn't taken any and won't
Why East Texas is the sleeper opportunity that could flip the entire state — and the Stacey Abrams-style investment it would take
The 2026 → 2028 → 2030 roadmap to a Democratic State House majority
James Talarico, Black voter outreach, and why persuasion beats turnout-only thinking
Why Texas is a working-class state, not a conservative one
VIA Grand Prairie: 13,000 rides/month, $3 a ride, and why Junior is now a transit evangelist in the legislature

Follow Junior Ezeonu:

Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok: @CallMeJRE

Facebook/YouTube: Junior Ezeonu | Conversations with Junior Ezeonu podcast

Support Mission: Texas:

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Ep. 27: Flipping the Highest Texas Courts—Holly Taylor & Justices Chari Kelly & Maggie Ellis Apr 09, 2026

Texas is unique in that it has two separate Supreme Courts: one for civil cases (the Texas Supreme Court) and one for criminal cases (the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals). Currently, both courts are composed entirely of Republican justices. And we elect these judges here.

In this episode, Kate and Alex interview three Democratic women seeking to bring balance to these courts: Holly Taylor (candidate for the Court of Criminal Appeals), Justice Chari Kelly (candidate for Texas Supreme Court, Place 2), and Justice Maggie Ellis (candidate for Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court). The discussion covers the structure and function of Texas's highest courts, the significant implications of the 2026 elections, and why these races may be among the most impactful judicial contests in recent history.

What we cover:

• How 7 out of 9 current Texas Supreme Court justices were appointed directly by Governor Abbott, highlighting the significant influence the executive branch holds over the judiciary.

• The 15th Court of Appeals: a newly established appellate court with jurisdiction over cases involving the governor and attorney general, staffed exclusively by the governor’s appointees.

• Ken Paxton has actively campaigned to remove judges who have ruled against him.

• Recent primary election results indicate that 2026 could be a significant year for Democratic candidates, with trends suggesting increased voter support and the potential for a major shift in the composition of Texas's highest courts.

Follow and support the candidates:

• Holly Taylor: https://www.hollytforjudge.com/(@hollytforjudge)

• Justice Chari Kelly: https://charikelly.com/ (@chari_kelly)

• Justice Maggie Ellis: https://www.maggieforjustice.com/ (@maggieforjustice)

Support Mission: Texas on Patreon: patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast

Ep. 26: Marcos Velez on the Texas Lt. Governor Runoff and Working-Class Politics Apr 02, 2026

What does it take to run for Texas Lieutenant Governor as a union negotiator and not a career politician? In this episode of Mission: Texas, Kate and Alex sit down with Marcos Velez, Democratic candidate for Texas Lieutenant Governor and Assistant Director of United Steelworkers District 13, ahead of the 2026 runoff election.

Marcos brings a background unlike anyone else in the race: raised by a hotel housekeeper who made $4.25 an hour before a union job changed their family's trajectory, Marcos has spent his career negotiating with multinational corporations for better wages, safer working conditions, and equal pay for women on job sites across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Now he's taking that same fight to the race for Lieutenant Governor.

In this conversation, Marcos and the hosts dig into:

• Why he jumped into the Lt. Governor's race and what his teenage daughter said that shook him to his core

• His top legislative priorities: raising the state minimum wage, restoring public education funding, and expanding labor rights for public sector workers

• How Dan Patrick has weaponized the Lt. Governor's office, blocking popular bills, sidelining newly elected Senator Taylor Rehmet, and running Texas government behind closed doors

• The working-class voter problem and why Latinos and Black Texans are drifting from the Democratic Party and what the party must do to earn back their trust

• Mike Collier's independent bid and why Marcos isn't worried

• His theory of victory: economic populism, unapologetic progressive values, and a union-style organizing model targeting voters from the RGV to rural Texas

Marcos also explains why the Lt. Governor's role is mainly about bargaining and setting priorities, and why his experience at the labor negotiations makes him the right fit, regardless of what the political scene expects.

The runoff election is approaching. If you're a Texas Democrat trying to understand what a working-class, Houston-based, labor-supported candidate looks like at the top of the ticket, this episode is essential listening.

Follow Marcos: @velezfortx on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook | velezfortexas.com

Support Mission: Texas on Patreon: patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast

Ep. 25: Luke Warford and the Agave Fund Mar 26, 2026

This week on Mission: Texas, we sit down with Luke Warford, founder of the Agave Fund and former Democratic nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, whose 2022 run turned heads nationally. Luke breaks down why 2026 may be the perfect storm for Texas Democrats, what down-ballot candidates can learn from the Senate primary, and how the Agave Fund is building the infrastructure that actually wins elections.

In this episode:

• Luke's origin story: from the Obama campaign to Texas Railroad Commissioner to the Agave Fund

• The four conditions that make 2026 a potential perfect storm for Texas Democrats

• What down-ballot candidates are doing right in 2026 compared to 2018

• The attention economy, viral campaigning, and what Zohran Mamdani's rise tells us about modern politics

• What the Agave Fund is doing to solve the campaign manager shortage

• The SD-9 special election as a blueprint for statewide contrast messaging

Follow Luke and the Agave Fund:

agavefund.org | @LukeWarfordTX on X | Texas Public Opinion Research on Substack

Support Mission: Texas:

Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast

Follow us @missiontexaspodcast on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube

Subscribe here and leave us a five-star review

Ep. 24: Clayton Tucker - Ag Commissioner, Food Monopolies, and Water Scarcity Mar 19, 2026

In this episode of Mission: Texas, Kate and Alex sit down with Clayton Tucker, fifth-generation Texan rancher and the Democratic nominee for Texas Agriculture Commissioner — the candidate running to lower your grocery bill, protect Texas water, and bust the monopolies rigging the system.

We discuss how just four corporations control the entire U.S. meat supply, why AI data centers are draining Texas water and driving up utility bills, and what the Ag Commissioner can actually do about it. We also get into the immigration workforce reality, the 254-county strategy debate, and why the long game to flip Texas starts local.

*We recorded this episode right before the primaries, in which Republican nominee Sid Miller lost to Nate Sheets.

In this episode:

Why monopolies — not tariffs — are the real driver of food inflation
How 4 corporations control the entire U.S. meat supply
What the Texas Ag Commissioner can actually do to bust monopolies
AI data centers, Texas water rights, and bipartisan pushback
The 254-county strategy debate and the long game to 2030
Jim Hightower's legacy and how Clayton got "voluntold" to run

📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook @missiontexaspodcast for weekly clips and highlights from every episode.

💛 Love what we're doing? Support independent Texas media on Patreon and help us keep the long game going, because this isn't about one cycle. It's about building a movement.

📩 Contact: missiontexaspodcast@gmail.com

Ep. 23: What the Texas Primary Results Really Mean Mar 12, 2026

In this episode of Mission: Texas, we break down the biggest takeaways from the Texas primaries with Michelle Davis, substack writerof Lone Star Left, and David De La Fuente, Dallas political strategist and podcast host of Loserville.

We discuss the unexpectedly high Democratic turnout, why younger candidates are gaining traction across Texas, and what races revealed about where Texas Democrats may be headed next. The conversation covers the rise of James Talarico, the debate over competing strategies to flip Texas, surprise down-ballot results, and what the runoff elections may signal for the future.

We also examine whether Democrats should focus more on persuading independents and crossover voters, how messaging is changing, and why local organizing — from precinct chairs to multilingual outreach — remains essential if Texas is going to become competitive statewide.

In this episode:

Why Democratic primary turnout surged beyond expectations
What younger candidates are signaling about party momentum
Surprise results in Dallas, Tarrant, and congressional races
Competing theories for flipping Texas
What runoffs may tell us about where Texas goes next

📲 Follow us on social: @missiontexaspodcast
❤️ Support independent Texas political media on Patreon

📩 Contact: missiontexaspodcast@gmail.com

Ep. 22: Powered By People Mar 05, 2026

In this episode of Mission: Texas, we sit down with Aimee Prudhomme, the new Executive Director of Powered by People, Beto O’Rourke’s volunteer-led organizing group built to flip Texas through human-to-human voter engagement. We talk about why registration is only step one, how relational organizing boosts turnout, and what it looks like to build long-term power across the whole state — not just the big cities. Aimee also shares her personal story of leaving corporate America for this work, and why community and action are the antidote to despair.

In this episode:

The target focus: 18–29 voters, vote-by-mail eligible seniors, and a new faith program with predominantly Black churches
Their “Reach” network: ~46,000 voters today and a goal of 100,000 by the midterms
Why “registered” isn’t the same as “engaged” — and how trust drives turnout
A practical pep talk for volunteering + how to get started with Powered by People

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts 📲 Follow us on socials: @MissionTexasPodcast 📧 Email: MissionTexasPodcast@gmail.com ❤️ Support the show on Patreon

Ep. 21: The Railroad Commission Isn't About Trains — It's About Your Power Bill (Jon Rosenthal) Feb 26, 2026

In this episode of Mission: Texas, we sit down with Jon Rosenthal, a four-term Texas state representative, engineer, and the Democratic nominee for Railroad Commissioner, to break down one of the most powerful and least understood offices in Texas government — and why it affects every Texan’s electric bill, safety, and environment.

In this episode, we cover:

What the Texas Railroad Commission actually does — and why it has nothing to do with trains
How oil and gas industry money and conflicts of interest shape regulation in Texas
Why Texans are still paying higher electric bills after Winter Storm Uri
How Texas’ isolated grid prioritizes corporate profit over reliability and safety
What it will take to flip Texas, including the volunteer-driven organizing model that flipped a red seat in 2018
The historic importance of down ballot races in flipping the state

📧 Contact us: missiontexaspodcast@gmail.com
📲 Follow us on social media: @missiontexaspodcast

👉 Support Mission: Texas on Patreon

Ep. 20: A Progressive Muslim Running For Congress (Zeeshan Hafeez) Feb 19, 2026

Released at the start of Ramadan and during Texas primary season, this episode of Mission: Texas features host Alex Clark in conversation with Zeeshan Hafeez, a progressive Democrat running for Congress. They discuss what it means to run as a Muslim Texan, his race against Julie Johnson and Colin Allred, and the role of outside political spending, including AIPAC, in shaping primary contests.

Note: Julie Johnson was on the podcast in December. Mission: Texas also reached out to Colin Allred’s campaign to invite him onto the podcast but have not received a response.

In this episode, Alex and Zeeshan discuss:

Political “othering” and its impact on Muslim American communities
How post-9/11 politics continue to shape representation and participation
Outside political spending and influence in primaries, including AIPAC
Comparisons to a new generation of movement-driven progressive candidates, including figures like Zohran Mamdani
Grassroots organizing versus establishment power
Building coalitions to win Texas long-term

📩 Email us at missiontexaspodcast@gmail.com, follow us on all socials @missiontexaspodcast, and support the show on Patreon to help us keep building independent liberal media in Texas.

Ep. 19: Breaking Down the Texas Primaries (Rep. Rafael Anchia) Feb 12, 2026

Texas primary season is underway, and Democrats just got a major win with the Senate District 9 special election.

In this episode of Mission: Texas, we’re joined by State Rep. Rafael Anchia, a multi-decade elected official, for a clear-eyed breakdown of the Texas Democratic Primaries and what the SD-9 result tells us about the road ahead. Rep. Anchia has served with many of the people running for office in this primary season, including Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico.

We discuss:

Why the SD-9 win mattered — and why it wasn’t a fluke
What worked: candidate fit, working-class messaging, and turnout
How primary dynamics shape the general election
Which statewide and down-ballot races Democrats should be watching
Why public education, local organizing, and voting still matter most
And yes, the Texas Senate race.

This episode is a practical guide to understanding where Texas Democrats are right now and what this moment could mean as early voting begins.

Follow us on on all social media platforms: @missiontexaspodcast.

Email us: missiontexaspodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe and share our podcast with a friend!

Ep. 18: Tony Box (Veteran, former AUSA) on Restoring Trust in the Texas AG' s Office Feb 05, 2026

We finalize our interviews of all Attorney General candidates with Tony Box, a veteran, former FBI agent, former federal prosecutor, and Dallas-area dad. Wetalk about what the AG’s office is supposed to do, and how it’s been distorted by decades of partisanship.

Tony shares his extraordinary personal story, from surviving a gunshot wound at 16, to serving as a tank commander, JAG officer, FBI agent, and white-collar prosecutor, and explains why that experience uniquely prepares him to lead the state’s top law-enforcement office.

We dig into:

How the Texas AG became a nationalized, hyper-political office
Why Texans deserve an AG who is a check on corruption, not a culture-war weapon
The real, everyday responsibilities of the AG — from consumer protection to child support enforcement
Why enforcement has collapsed as thousands of federal prosecutors leave DOJ
How leadership, trust, and mission matter more than ideology
What it will take to flip Texas statewide, rebuild voter trust, and prepare for 2030 redistricting

This is a conversation about service over spectacle, policy over politics, and what it actually takes to govern a state as big — and as important — as Texas.

👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on how to flip Texas
👉 Follow @MissionTexasPodcast on all platforms
👉 Share this episode with one person who cares about Texas in 2030
📩 Email us: missiontexaspodcast@gmail.com

#MissionTexas #TexasPolitics #TXAG #TexasAttorneyGeneral #VeteransInPolitics #VotingRights #Redistricting #ConsumerProtection #TexasDemocrats #Election2026 #Election2030

Ep. 17: Joe Jaworski on Reclaiming the Texas AG Office Jan 29, 2026

In this episode, we’re joined by Joe Jaworski, candidate for Texas Attorney General and former Mayor of Galveston, for a wide-ranging conversation about what the Texas AG actually does — and what the office could do if Democrats take it back.

We talk about:

Joe's immigrant family history
How power really works in Texas government — and how the AG can be an independent check
Jaworski’s case for a new “Division of Affordability” at the AG’s office to protect Texans as ratepayers, consumers, parents, and policyholders
The reality of running statewide as a working person — and what needs to change
The 2030 redistricting “big moment,” young voters, and one under-enforced law that could register hundreds of thousands of new voters through Texas high schools

If you care about the future of Texas politics — and the 2030/2032 map that could decide the country — this is the episode.

👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on how to flip Texas
👉 Follow @MissionTexasPodcast on all socials
👉 Share this episode with one friend who cares about flipping Texas
📩 Email us: missiontexaspodcast@gmail.com

#MissionTexas #TexasPolitics #TXAG #KenPaxton #VotingRights #Redistricting #TexasDemocrats #Election2026 #Election2030 #CivicEngagement #PublicEducation #ConsumerProtection

Ep. 16: What Do The Top Texas Donors Really Want To See? Jan 22, 2026

What do Texas donors really want before they invest—and what will it take to fund a winning path for Democrats in Texas?

In this episode of Mission: Texas, hosts Kate and Alex talk with leading Texas Democratic fundraisers Claire Dewar and Howard Klion about the donor mindset and the infrastructure needed to win long-term.

In this episode:

What Texas donors want to see before they give
Why “big shiny” statewide races aren’t enough
The demand for results, ROI, and accountability
Building real infrastructure: precinct chairs, county parties, and year-round organizing
Why candidates can’t keep “building the plane while flying it”
Where time and money make the biggest impact

Follow us on all socials @MissionTexasPodcast

Ep. 15: Progress Texas and How Media Can Help Flip Texas Jan 15, 2026

On this episode of Mission: Texas, Kate and Alex sit down with Chris and Kathleen from Progress Texas—a 15-year-old progressive media organization (and podcast network) built to fight disinformation, keep attention on the long game, and help Texans stay engaged before, during, and after campaigns.

And we even play “Obsessed,” a game from our friends at "Pod Bless Texas," for a little holiday fun.

In this episode, we also talk about:

What Progress Texas is (and why “campaigns come and go”)
The Daily Dispatch: a 7–10 minute weekday show designed for real life (aka “one shower long”)
Why digital video is exploding for them—and why most views come from non-followers
The difference between being good at messaging vs. investing in messaging
How to be a political communicator without turning into a boring lecture
Whether Democrats are disadvantaged by truth/accuracy—and how to make facts compelling
Why talking to your neighbors still matters as much as TikTok
Texas as a voter-suppressed state, and why “state-of-the-art circa 1980” voter registration hurts turnout
A practical challenge: be loud, be human, commit the “faux pas” of talking politics

Follow Mission: Texas on all socials: @MissionTexasPodcast

Support and follow Progress Texas: ProgressTexas.org (and search “Progress Texas” on your podcast app)

Ep. 14: Texas Democratic Veterans on Venezuela Jan 08, 2026

Richardson Area Democrats (RAD) invited Mission: Texas to moderate a special panel of Democratic veterans and military civilians running for office across North Texas for an urgent, in-depth conversation about Venezuela, war powers, and the future of American democracy.

Former service members and current candidates from Congress to the Texas House and Senate break down what’s happening, what it means for U.S. foreign policy, why congressional authorization matters, and how unchecked executive power puts service members, families, and global stability at risk — and what voters can do right now to change the trajectory.

In this episode, we cover:

What led to U.S. military action in Venezuela and why it matters
Why Congress has a constitutional role in declaring war
How modern foreign policy decisions affect everyday Americans
The real risks to service members and their families
What’s at stake for global stability, democracy, and the 2026 midterms
How voters can take action locally to protect democratic norms

We were joined by:

Kevin Burge - CD 24

Keenen Colbert - TX SD2

Milah Flores - CD17

Zach Herbert - TX HD112

Evan Hunt - CD3

Ernest Lineberger - CD26

William Marks - CD25

Nathan Smith - Tarrant County District Clerk

🎧 New episodes every week.
👉 Follow @MissionTexasPodcast for Texas politics you won’t hear anywhere else.

Ep. 13: Recap, Resolutions, and West Wing References Jan 01, 2026

As Texas heads into a pivotal election year, Kate and Alex kick off the new year with a special recap and resolutions episode inspired by The West Wing. From precinct chairs and working-class messaging to gun safety, faith, and grassroots turnout, this episode breaks down what Texas Democrats must do to actually win.

Channeling Sam, Toby, CJ, Josh, and President Bartlet, the hosts revisit their first twelve episodes and lay out concrete resolutions for flipping Texas.

We also spark a little friendly Texas rivalry by revealing which major cities are actually showing up on the ground — and which ones need to step it up — based on the percentage of precinct chairs filled in each area.

In true West Wing fashion, this episode is both a roadmap and a rallying cry — a reminder that “what’s next” isn’t waiting on a blue wave. It’s built by people who decide to stand up, get organized, and do the work.

Follow @missiontexaspodcast on all social media.

Ep. 12: Giffords, Gun Owners for Safety in Texas (Steven Kling) Dec 26, 2025

A Giffords leader, Army combat veteran, Texas gun owner, and Democrat Steven Kling joins Mission Texas to dismantle one of the biggest political myths in Texas — that being a Democrat is somehow in conflict with being a gun owner. Steve Kling of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety explains why common-sense gun safety laws protect the Second Amendment, preserve public trust in responsible gun ownership, and keep Texas communities safe.

As Texans head into the new year, this is a must-hear conversation about public safety, responsibility, and what it really takes to build a winning majority in Texas.

In this episode, we also talk about:

• What Giffords Gun Owners for Safety is and how it differs from the NRA
• What Texans really support on gun safety, including background checks and red-flag laws
• Dangerous gun bills quietly moving through the Texas Legislature
• Why schools and communities are being put at risk by current gun proposals

Follow @MissionTexasPodcast
Learn more: giffords.org/stats

Ep. 11: The Most Powerful Job in Texas: Lt. Governor (Rep. Vikki Goodwin) Dec 18, 2025

In this episode of Mission: Texas, we talk with State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, a Democratic candidate for Texas Lieutenant Governor, about why this office holds outsized power in Texas politics and how that power impacts everyday Texans.

We also discuss Dan Patrick's leadership (or lack thereof) and how the past Democratic candidate, Mike Collier, is now running as an "independent." (right...) We also discuss:

Why centralized power in the Texas Senate blocks bipartisan solutions
Public education as the foundation for Texas’ future
Healthcare, affordability, housing, and water as core kitchen-table issues
What it takes to flip Texas long-term through grassroots organizing and party infrastructure

Note: This conversation was recorded before the filing deadline for candidates. Since recording, additional candidates have filed to run for Texas Lieutenant Governor.

Follow us on social media: @missiontexaspodcast and @goodwin4texas.

Subscribe, share this episode, and leave a review to help more Texans find the show!

Ep. 10: Filing Day for Texas Dems & the Primary No One Expected (Julie Johnson) Dec 11, 2025

Kate and Alex sit down with Congresswoman Julie Johnson on Texas’s filing deadline day—the moment when the political map was shifting in real time. As Jasmine Crockett entered the Senate race, Colin Allred abandoned his Senate candidacy and jumped into TX-33, instantly becoming Julie's primary challenger.

Julie talks candidly about why women are not benchwarmers, why this race matters, and how Democrats win long-term by delivering—not performing.

In this episode, we cover:

The political shakeup: Colin Allred’s last-minute switch from the Senate race to TX-33 and what it signals for Democrats statewide.
Why Julie says she’s ready: Her record as a civil rights attorney, trailblazer, and the first LGBTQ+ member of Congress elected from Texas and the South.
The importance of campaigning even in safe seats: Why she knocks doors, supports the full ticket, and expects others to do the same.
Women in leadership: Why she rejects the idea that women are holding seats “for” men who left and want them back.

Follow Congresswoman Julie Johnson at juliejohnson.com and on social media @juliejohnsontexas.
Follow us @MissionTexasPodcast.

Ep. 9: Confronting Christian Nationalism in Texas (Brian Recker, author of Hell Bent) Dec 04, 2025

Texas is one of the most deeply churched states in America—67% of adults here identify as Christian. So understanding how to navigate the entrenched evangelical culture that shapes so much of Texas politics is at the heart of today’s episode.

Kate and Alex sit down with Brian Recker—writer, creator, and former evangelical pastor—whose book Hell Bent is reshaping the national conversation about the intersection of faith, fear, and political power in America.

Brian explains how teachings centered on fear, exclusion, and “in-group vs. out-group” thinking have fueled modern Christian nationalism—and how that dynamic shows up in Texas in the form of entrenched Christian-right supremacy.

Together, we dig into:

• How fear-driven theology helped create today’s right-wing political culture

• Why some conservatives say “the government shouldn’t feed the poor”—and what Jesus actually taught about poverty, compassion, and justice

• The Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms and what it reveals about Christian-right supremacy

Follow Brian Recker on Instagram @berecker

Follow us @missiontexaspodcast on all platforms

Ep. 8: Thankful for Democratic Wins in Texas (fmr Rep. John Turner) Nov 27, 2025

This Thanksgiving, we’re serving up a special episode of Mission: Texas with former State Rep. John Turner, the Texas Democrat who flipped a long-held Republican House seat in 2018. Whether you’re on a holiday road trip, cooking dinner, or running in a Turkey Trot, this is your political pep talk for 2026 and beyond.

John shares how he went from a successful law career at a law firm to deciding a “one-in-three” shot was enough to run; what makes 2018 similar to 2026; and how suburban, rural, faith, and gun-owning voters all fit into a winning Democratic coalition.

John also makes the case for something we don’t talk about enough: reclaiming patriotism inside the Democratic Party and showing voters that Democratic values are deeply rooted in faith, service, rule of law, and love of country. He argues Democrats should be running brand-building ads between elections, not just during them, so Republican stereotypes stop sticking when the campaign season arrives.

🎧 Hosted by Kate Rumsey & Alex Clark

👉 Follow us: @missiontexaspodcast on social media

Ep. 7: The Elephant in the Room Texas Democrats KEEP Ignoring (Rep. Mihaela Plesa) Nov 20, 2025

Note: This episode was recorded before the recent court decision on redistricting.

State Rep. Mihaela Plesa (HD 70 – Collin County) joins Mission: Texas to break down how gerrymandering, mid-decade redistricting, and low turnout are keeping Texas red—and what it really takes to win in a suburban swing district north of Dallas.

Mihaela shares her journey as the daughter of immigrants and a bilingual kid in Collin County, to small business owner, to unpaid Capitol intern at 32, to Vice Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus who flipped a gerrymandered district, won by just 800 votes, and made a runoff by only 29 votes. She explains why the Texas House, school boards, and city councils are the real front lines, and why Texas Democrats need to stop running one-size-fits-all campaigns and start running “soul campaigns” rooted in their own communities.

In this episode with Rep. Mihaela Plesa, we cover:

How redistricting and gerrymandering in Collin County created HD 70—and why there should be more competitive districts
Why the next census and Texas redistricting fight could decide control of Congress and the White House
Mihaela’s path from fashion merchandising and small business to policymaking in Austin
What it took to beat a $4 million Republican campaign in a suburban swing seat
How voting rules, map changes, and ballot design are used to confuse and discourage voters
The reality of a “Chamber of Commerce” district and how business and labor both benefit from Medicaid expansion, strong public schools, and economic stability
Where she actually agrees with Trump (credit card interest caps, taxes on tips, IVF access)—and why Democrats should own the affordability fight
Why down-ballot races (Texas House, school board, city council) are where Republicans are quietly investing big money
A call for more Texans to step up and run, especially in tough districts, and to treat taking back the Texas House as a real, achievable goal

Connect with Rep. Mihaela Plesa:
Website & newsletter: plesafortexas.com
Socials: @PlesaForTexas

📲 Follow and share: @MissionTexasPodcast

Ep 6: The Texas County That Could Save Democrats? (Allison Campolo) Nov 13, 2025

On a Friday night, three parents sit down to talk about the future of Texas politics — and the one county that could change everything. Allison Campolo, Chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, joins Mission: Texas to explain why Tarrant — the last major urban county in Texas still voting Republican — might be the key to finally flipping the state.

The episode opens on a hopeful note: how Tarrant has quietly built momentum, made measurable progress, and become one of the few places where Democrats are actually growing cycle after cycle.

We also discuss how Democratic candidates like Taylor Rehmet are helping to reshape the political map. (This conversation was recorded before the November 2025 special election, where Rehmet went on to advance to a runoff in Texas Senate District 9.)

In this episode, we talk about:

Why Tarrant County is ground zero for Texas Democrats
The local power players shaping Fort Worth politics, including County Judge Tim O’Hare
How data, infrastructure, and long-term investment can rebuild trust
How we can include parents and kids in politics

🎧 Follow us at @MissionTexasPodcast on all platforms.

#MissionTexasPodcast #TexasPolitics #TarrantCounty #Democrats #Texas #FortWorth

Ep 5: Texas, Assemble! (with Cliff Walker, the self-titled Nick Fury of Texas politics) Nov 06, 2025

Are Texas Democrats waiting for another superhero candidate — or finally ready to assemble a winning team? But what we do know - Thanos is coming, and Texas Democrats need to act fast.

In this episode of Mission: Texas, Kate and Alex sit down with strategist and former deputy executive director of the Texas Democratic Party, Cliff Walker, the self-titled Nick Fury of Texas politics.

Cliff unpacks what a modern state party actually does — from voter-file data and modeling to the strategy behind local organizing — and why Texas needs less Hulk-smash energy and more Ant-Man discipline.

But the real mission? Killing the meta-messaging spiral — what Cliff calls “political navel-gazing.” Instead of doomscrolling and public self-critique, he argues for message discipline, joy, and momentum: turn down the noise, turn up the volume.

Inside the episode:

Why constant self-critique is killing our message
How data and modeling really shape campaigns
Why belief and discipline matter as much as money
How local races create statewide momentum

Cliff’s challenge: Adopt a candidate. Knock a door. Turn up the volume.
Because Texas won’t flip itself.

Follow Mission: Texas on all social media platforms: @missiontexaspodcast

Ep 4: How Much Does ONE Vote Cost? (with political fundraiser Alex Andrade) Oct 30, 2025

What if every vote came with a price tag? 💸
Political fundraiser Alex Andrade joins Mission: Texas to break down the shocking math behind campaign money — from Beto O’Rourke’s $77 million race to why Democrats might be spending big in all the wrong places.

Hosts Kate Rumsey and Alex Clark unpack how much a single vote really costs, why fundraising talent is so scarce in Texas, and how smarter investments — not bigger ones — could finally flip the state.

🎧 Topics include:
• How much campaigns actually spend per vote
• The ROI of TV vs. field work
• Why Texas Democrats may be having their “Luka moment”
• Building long-term infrastructure that lasts

👉 Follow @MissionTexasPodcast for clips and new episodes every week.
#MissionTexas #TexasPolitics #TexasDemocrats #Fundraising #PoliticalStrategy

Ep. 3: From Anger to Hope — Texas Politics Then and Now (ft. Sen. Nathan Johnson) Oct 23, 2025

This week on Mission: Texas, we sit down with Texas State Senator Nathan Johnson — now a candidate for Attorney General — to talk about flipping Texas, rebuilding hope, and why the long game matters.

We cover what really drove the 2018 wins, how Democrats can re-energize discouraged activists, and the practical math of turning anger and hope into actual turnout. Senator Johnson breaks down statewide wins and why 2026 might just be the moment to "buy the dip" and believe again.

He also shares what the Attorney General’s office could be doing to protect Texas voters, fight Trump’s overreach, and restore the “white hat” vision of good government. Plus: the truth about gerrymandering, the importance of primaries, and a surprise detour into Dragon Ball Z, composition, and going “Super Saiyan” as a party.

In this episode:

Why 2018 still matters
Overcoming voter fatigue
Why statewide races can’t be gerrymandered
Hope vs. pessimism in Texas politics
What the AG’s office could do differently
How to turn civic despair into collective power

Follow:
@MissionTexasPodcast | @NathanForTexas

Episode 2: The Life of Candidate (feat. Kristian Carranza) Oct 16, 2025

On the same day Taylor Swift drops The Life of a Showgirl, we’re bringing you The Life of a Candidate.

In this ladies-only episode of Mission: Texas, host Kate Rumsey sits down with Kristian Carranza, a San Antonio organizer and candidate for Texas House District 118, to talk about the real backstage life of running for office — the heartbreak, the hope, and the hustle.

Kristian opens up about losing a race, getting back up, and finding her voice again at a town hall microphone. From knocking on 10,000 doors to fighting for public schools and working-class families, she shares what it takes to stay in the arena — and why this cycle might finally be the turning point for Texas Democrats.

They discuss:
🎵 Taylor Swift, resilience, and the art of reinvention
🏫 School closures and public education as a lifeline
🚪 Why door-knocking and local organizers still matter
💰 Fundraising myths, recurring donors, and candidate life balance
🗳️ How precinct chairs and everyday volunteers build lasting power

It’s The Life of a Candidate — Texas-style.

Guest: Kristian Carranza — Candidate for Texas House District 118
Host: Kate Rumsey
Podcast: Mission: Texas

Follow Kristian at kristianfortexas.com or on socials @KristianForTexas.

Episode 1: Kendall Scudder on Rebuilding the Texas Democratic Party Oct 09, 2025

Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder joins Mission: Texas hosts Kate Rumsey and Alex Clark to talk about rebuilding the Texas Democratic Party from the ground up and what it will take to flip Texas by 2032. Scudder shares his plan for strengthening grassroots infrastructure, filling precinct and county chair vacancies, launching Spanish-language communications, investing in data and voter protection, and promoting bold economic populism that reconnects Democrats with working Texans.

This episode covers:

Redistricting and why it can’t stop statewide wins
How Democrats can overcome turnout gaps
The role of the state party in messaging, data, and compliance
How to get involved locally and help fund lasting infrastructure

🎙 Mission: Texas explores long-term Democratic strategy, faith, and service in the fight to flip Texas — and with Kendall Scudder’s vision, that mission is just getting started.

Introducing "Mission: Texas" Oct 01, 2025

In this episode of Mission: Texas, we dive into the seismic electoral shifts set to change the political landscape by 2032. With new congressional seats projected for Texas and Florida, the balance of power in the Electoral College is tipping. Discover why winning traditional blue states might not be enough and how this shift demands new strategies for securing the White House. Strap in for a deep dive into the electoral future that could disrupt decades of political norms.

We also challenge stereotypes and redefine what it means to be a Democrat. From serving in the military to standing up in court, we explore the patriotic and godly aspects of the Democratic identity. Tune in to see how we're building a coalition that represents the true spirit of Texas.

Are you ready to join the movement?