Rural Democrat PAC Endorses Thierry Tchenko in Texas Senate Primary Race

SAN ANGELO, TX — In the Democratic Party of Texas, a significant Democratic primary race is unfolding. Three Democratic candidates are vying for the opportunity to challenge U.S. Senator Ted Cruz on Election Day on November 5. These contenders include Congressman Collin Allred, who represents Richardson and Plano in the DFW area, State Senator Roland Gutierrez, representing San Antonio and the Trans-Pecos border region, and relative newcomer Thierry Tchenko from southwest Houston, who earned his college diploma at McMurry University in Abilene.

In a notable development, a rural political action committee (PAC) based in San Angelo, known as The 134 PAC, has thrown its support behind Thierry Tchenko. Led by San Angelo attorney Jon Mark Hogg, The 134 PAC's primary mission is to elect Democrats in rural counties. Its board members hail from Tom Green, Lubbock, Palo Pinto, and Burnet Counties, and although its initial focus was on rural areas, it has since expanded its reach to more populous counties.

The decision to endorse Tchenko was unexpected, as The 134 PAC had originally not planned to endorse candidates in statewide races this year. However, they found Tchenko's candidacy compelling.

The 134 PAC's endorsement of Tchenko was motivated by their evaluation of the other Democratic contenders. They criticized Congressman Collin Allred for running a fundraising campaign from Washington D.C. and seemingly ignoring rural Texas entirely. Similarly, they expressed concerns that State Senator Roland Gutierrez appeared to prioritize populous counties over smaller ones, though they appreciated his recent efforts in smaller communities. The PAC stated that Gutierrez's campaign had not fully tapped into its potential in rural Texas.

In contrast, The 134 PAC was impressed by Thierry Tchenko's commitment to campaigning in often overlooked areas. Tchenko articulated his belief that if Democrats truly value every voter, they must campaign accordingly. This perspective resonated with the PAC's leadership, as they saw Tchenko's campaign as a way to bring hope to neglected places and people who have lost faith in the political process.

Tchenko said that this election transcends a simple victory over Ted Cruz or winning a seat; it's about something more significant. It's about revitalizing hope in communities and strengthening the local and state Democratic parties.

Republican strategists view San Angelo as one of the key cities in the "Magnificent 7" conservative voting bloc in Texas, which also includes Midland, Odessa, Lubbock, Amarillo, Abilene, and Wichita Falls. Efforts by the 134 PAC seek to shift these traditionally Republican strongholds towards the Democratic Party, highlighting the importance of their endorsement for Tchenko.

In the 2018 election between Senator Cruz and Beto O’Rourke, Senator Cruz heavily relied on the Magnificent 7 voters to replace formerly conservative suburban areas, particularly the formerly red, now purple, areas like Williamson County north or Austin and the Energy Corridor of west Houston. The 134 PAC aims to challenge the Republican dominance in these regions and contribute to the Democratic Party's growth.

For more on Tchenko, see our exclusive, on-camera interview with the candidate.