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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Ellen Sciales, press@sunrisemovement.org 

Sunrise Movement Endorses Jessica Cisneros for TX-28

This morning, Sunrise Movement announced its endorsement of Jessica Cisneros, and her campaign to unseat "Big Oil's Favorite Democrat" Henry Cuellar, in Texas' 28th District.

WASHINGTON

This morning, Sunrise Movement announced its endorsement of Jessica Cisneros, and her campaign to unseat "Big Oil's Favorite Democrat" Henry Cuellar, in Texas' 28th District. Cisneros is Sunrise Movement's first House endorsement of the 2022 campaign cycle.

"As Texans froze to death during the Texas Freeze last winter, Henry Cuellar spent his winter cozying up to the people responsible for the climate disaster: fossil fuel corporations, while he left communities to fend for themselves," said Varshini Prakash, Executive Director of Sunrise Movement. "Jessica Cisneros fought for her community through that freeze. She understands the crises we face, and she is ready to take power from corporate Democrats like Cuellar, and give it back to her community. We're excited to endorse and put the power of our movement behind Cisneros because she knows that it takes bold solutions to solve the crises we face -- that means passing a Green New Deal, Medicare for All, fighting for a pathway to citizenship and more."

Sunrise Movement is working with hubs in Texas, including those in Laredo and surrounding areas, and nationally, to mobilize and turn out young and marginalized communities to vote for Cisneros in the March Democratic primary. Cisneros has also been endorsed by Justice Democrats, Working Families Party, and other progressive organizations. This first House endorsement by Sunrise Movement is part of its 2022 electoral strategy, where the organization is mobilizing young and progressive people to back candidates that support the Green New Deal, and reject candidates, including incumbents, who cater to fossil fuel corporations exacerbating the climate crisis and destroying communities across the country.

"Congressman Cuellar accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from the fossil fuel industry throughout his career and consistently supports policies that roll back protections that keep our water drinkable, our air breathable, and our communities safe from environmental threats," said Jessica Cisneros. "South Texans deserve a representative who will fight for our families like our lives and planet depend on it. I am beyond proud to be the Sunrise Movement's first U.S. House endorsement this cycle. I know that our future depends on bold leaders and organizers who will step up to meet the moment and protect our planet, so I'm honored that they're joining us to finish what we started together."

During Cuellar's time in office, he has continuously catered to fossil fuel executives and corporations, over his constituents. Cuellar has criticized historic, life saving climate investments in Biden's Build Back Better Act, and called for more investment in natural gas in the bill. In the 2022 cycle alone, Cuellar has received over $100,000 from fossil fuel corporations.

Sunrise Movement is a movement to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process.