“It doesn’t matter if someone has ever been there before. You can always go there” - Candice Valenzuela

In support of the female Democratic candidates in Texas, the Democratic Women of Denton County held a fundraiser at Chestnut Tree this past Friday, February 16. Some of the featured speakers included U.S. HD 26 candidate Linsey Fagan, Denton County Democratic Party chair candidate Dr. Angie Cadena, Carrollton-Farmer's Branch School Board candidate Candice Valenzuela, Denton County judge Diana Leggett, and nominee for Commissioner of Agriculture Kim Olson.

Each of one of these female candidates share a striking commonality of interest to elect more women into office. Whether its at a county, state or national level, they believe the U.S. needs women in office in order to make a change.

Many people in the U.S are unrepresented in today’s socio-economic climate. Fagan, also known as “The Rockstar” according to Olson, wants to bring “a pragmatic voice to Washington.” She wants to be someone who will convey the needs of others and bring upon change. She said she will be “fearless” in office if elected.

“People are looking for somebody who doesn't talk a big talk then bring nothing to the table,” Fagan said.

Fagan is “all about getting work done,” representing the unrepresented and ensuring every community fighting for change will not be reprimanded.

Women make up 51 percent of the population in Texas, yet four women have ever been sent to Congress out of the state's current 38 representatives. Olson advises women active in politics and interested in change to “just run,” as she said the Senate is in need of women.

“Cut your teeth on stuff," Olson said. "That’s how we gotta do it." 

Olson will establish professionalism in the office and help kids receive access to affordable food, not just at school but on the weekends, and during spring break and summer. She states that due to the “food deserts” in Texas that “1 in 4 kids go to bed hungry each night” despite the state being the second largest, in the richest country with agriculture making up a third of Texas’s GDP and creating $106,000,000 in revenue.

Valenzuela is a 33-year-old Afro-Latina and “open Democrat” currently serving as a trustee on Carrollton-Farmer’s Branch School Board. Valenzuela is one of the seven people in charge of a $300,000,000 school board budget and her ultimate goal is to serve the lives of the students and address educational funding. She said she is a firm believer in “protecting our kids in every sense of the word.”

“I am worried about the lives of [the] students,” Valenzuela said. "The state legislature is increasingly removing funding from our schools. They used to fund education 50-50.”

She describes the decrease of funding in Texas and the toll it has already begun to take at a university level to be a “troubling trend” that needs to be addressed immediately.

“I’m here for my 125,000,000 kids," Valenzuela said. "We can’t neglect them. That’s the most important thing."

Cadena, has one important job to do and that is to get “more Democrats elected,” specifically female Democrats. Cadena said women who are hesitant or questioning whether or not they should run need to just do it.

“You have to ask a woman six times to run,” Cadena said. “It’s across all races, all economic-social realms,”

Despite the climate, Cadena is calling out on all women.

“Run as if your life depends on it, because it does,” Cadena said.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Denton County Democrats hosted this fundraiser. The article has been updated.

Header image by Maggie Moore
Header image layout designed by Christopher Rodgers