Royce West Touts Political Experience for Senate Primary in Appeal to Dallas Democrats

State Sen. Royce West is talking up his longtime experience in the Texas Legislature as he campaigns for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn for his seat.During a luncheon speech hosted by the Dallas County Democratic Party, West pointed to his efforts to address problems with healthcare, education and policing throughout his 26-career in the Texas Senate."I don't say that to brag," West, who is a lawyer from Dallas, told the more than 100 attendees. "I'm telling you this to tell you exactly what I've done over the course of being the state senator for Senate District 23."West said his past experience would carry into the U.S. Senate if he was elected and his long record made him someone who would fight for the ideals Democrats care about."I've been involved in these issues for a long time," West said while discussing women's healthcare. "when you elect me to the U.S. Senate, I will be an advocate for your rights ... in the future as I have been in the past."West's appearance comes less than a month after one of his rivals for the nomination, MJ Hegar, spoke to the Dallas Democrats and positioned herself as the political outsider in the race for the nomination."Texas is tired of voting for politicians. They want one of us," Hegar told her crowd, without naming any of her opponents. But West said the state of Texas needs someone with the record to be successful in the Senate while also having outside experiences to best represent the people of Texas -- and he has both."I'm a candidate with a varied background that's conducive to serving ably in the U.S. Senate," West told The Dallas Morning News.The rest of West's speech emphasized the things he would continue to support as Texas' U.S. senator.West said he believed Obamacare should be kept in place, just reformed in some areas. He also said public education needed to be available to everyone from Kindergarten through a four-year college degree."When you look at the issues of education, there's no one in this race that can compare to the things I done in order to benefit the state of Texas," West said.In a crowded primary field, West is trying to close the door on the possibility of a competitive race for the Democratic nomination, saying it would send a strong message to Cornyn if he wrapped up the nomination without a runoff. Among the better-known contenders besides West and Hegar are former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell of Houston, Houston City council Amanda Edwards and political organizer Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez."I've got to make certain that North Central Texas is Royce West country when it comes to the U.S. Senate," West said.  Continue reading...

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