Faith and Civic Engagement Anchor Crockett’s Sunday on the East Side
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett made San Antonio a key stop on her campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Sunday, centering her message on community, civic responsibility, and the state of American democracy.
Crockett’s itinerary included visits to multiple Black churches throughout the day such as, True Vision, Lilly of the Valley Church, Antioch Church, and lastly Christian Fellowship Church where a civic engagement gathering featuring local leaders on the city’s East Side.
At the heart of Crockett’s visit was the Civic Community Engagement at Christian Fellowship Church, attended by State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert, and several other local officials.
Crockett used the occasion to highlight her concerns about political violence, the erosion of democratic norms, and the importance of neighbor-to-neighbor engagement.
Centering her remarks on recent national and world events, she referenced incidents including U.S. military strike in Venezuela and the recent ICE shooting in Minnesota, which she said raise serious questions about safety and the nation’s direction.
“I don’t think that that’s political,” Crockett said, arguing that the larger issue is whether democracy will endure in its current form. “Are we okay with what’s happening? … Who is it that is supposed to be doing something? Frankly, it’s a lot of people in D.C. that are supposed to be doing their job, and they are failing.”
Crockett emphasized constitutional responsibility and accountability, saying lawmakers have “sworn an oath to the Constitution,” and criticized those she said have abdicated their duty to act as checks on government power. “That is why so many of us are saying, is this real? Is this America?” she said.
During her time in the city, Crockett also spoke to a full house at Tony G’s Soul Food on the East Side, where she articulated her reasons for running. “I believe that we deserve better. I believe that we can get better and frankly I believe that we can do better, and that is why I am running to become the next senator from the state of Texas,” she said, according to TPR.
Crockett’s candidacy follows map changes to her congressional district after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed new district maps to take effect. Colin Allred exited the race to pursue a House bid, and Crockett formally entered the Senate race shortly afterward.
The Texas AFL-CIO has announced it will host the first debate between the leading contenders for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico, on Jan. 24.
