First in The Blast: Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards is among the growing list of Democrats weighing a run against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Edwards told us she's giving "very serious consideration" to a campaign and "certainly weighing the pros and cons." She has not set a timeline for a decision.

Edwards represents 2.3 million Texans people as one of Houston's at-large council members, and she says she would bring the advantage of a local elected official who has stayed close to the communities she represents. She has been particularly active in the city's recovery from Hurricane Harvey.

"I think people are looking for a very high level of commitment, authenticity and an ability to be effective for residents," Edwards says.

A municipal finance attorney who went to Harvard Law School, Edwards is wrapping up her first term on the council. She was first elected in 2015.

Edwards is the latest Democrat to publicly discuss a potential Senate campaign against Cornyn. The others include U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, 2014 gubernatorial nominee Wendy Davis, and former congressional candidates M.J. Hegar and Joseph Kopser. Two Democrats are already running: Michael Cooper, the runner-up in last year's primary for lieutenant governor, and Sema Hernandez, the second-place finisher in the 2018 nominating contest for U.S. Senate.

— Patrick Svitek

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