When I came to West Texas, I had never felt so inspired by a place, by a community. I’ve always wanted to be involved in the struggle for what is best in our society, but never had I been so immediately drawn to public service and to put myself forward in the position as political candidate. Here, I felt not only willing, but called to commit myself to the time and work of introducing myself and our ideals to a community that has been left feeling so unrepresented that barely two thirds even showed up to vote in last year’s presidential election.
For about eight months now, I have been hard at work on the campaign trail, and it has been an amazing experience. I have met so many wonderful people, and caught up with so many old friends. I've walked so many blocks, knocked so many doors, worked with my campaign team to register so many voters, and traveled to so many great places in the district. I could think of no better job to seek than representing the people of West Texas in Congress, to stand up for the values of justice and equality against the plutocratic Trump-Republican machine that dominates our country today.
However, a job is not the most important thing in life.
Since mid-August, I have been the father to a wonderful baby girl, and nothing could be more joyful for me and Jasmine than the arrival of our first child. But being a parent in America today, it can be tough to stay on top of everything. Neither my nor Jasmine's positions at Texas Tech University provide any paid maternity or parental leave. And as much as I love and am committed to the people of West Texas, I have realized that I cannot be the kind of father that I want to be for my little girl if I continue as a candidate in this race.
Moreover, my wife's career is at a critical stage: the PhD program which brought us to Lubbock in the first place. As she and I work to flourish in our two careers and to raise our young daughter, we've realized that running for Congress, with its significant demands on all our time, is the extra variable that makes the equation impossible to balance.
Thus, although I believe I have mounted an impressive campaign, and which has accomplished a great deal in preparing new voters to participate in the political process, am winding down my campaign, and will withdraw my name from consideration in the Democratic primary next spring. I will be as helpful as I can and put in as much as time as I can fit to help other Democrats running in this and other races locally (especially the two very important state legislative seats that are up), so that we can finally strike a real blow for justice and representation in West Texas. Thank you all for all of your support,and please join me in supporting these other local candidates.
From now on, if you continue to read this blog, you will it a mix of my policies ideas, reflections on state, national, and international political events, as well updates from the local political scene of the several national, state, and local races here in West Texas. I hope it will be of interest!