Obama endorses two Texas candidates for Congress

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD - MARCH 23: U.S. President Barack Obama waves after he spoke during the SelectUSA Investment Summit March 23, 2015 in National Harbor, Maryland. The summit brought together investors from around the world to showcase the diversity of investment opportunities available in the U.S. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) less NATIONAL HARBOR, MD - MARCH 23: U.S. President Barack Obama waves after he spoke during the SelectUSA Investment Summit March 23, 2015 in National Harbor, Maryland. The summit brought together investors from ... more Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Obama endorses two Texas candidates for Congress 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Barack Obama endorsed two Texas candidates running for Congress on Wednesday.

The former president released a list of 81 candidates across the country, including Democratic nominees Adrienne Bell (TX-14) and Colin Allred (TX-32).

"I'm proud to endorse such a wide and impressive array of Democratic candidates – leaders as diverse, patriotic, and big-hearted as the America they're running to represent," said President Obama in a prepared statement.

"I'm confident that, together, they'll strengthen this country we love by restoring opportunity that's broadly shared, repairing our alliances and standing in the world, and upholding our fundamental commitment to justice, fairness, responsibility, and the rule of law," he said. "But first, they need our votes – and I'm eager to make the case for why Democratic candidates deserve our votes this fall."

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The candidates

Adrienne Bell is the Democratic nominee for Texas' 14th district, which includes areas of Pearland, Galveston, Jefferson and Brazoria.

Bell is running on a platform of Medicare for all and a $15 minimum wage. She is endorsed by Justice Democrats, the group that backed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her surprise victory in New York's 14th congressional district last month.

Her opponent is incumbent Rep. Randy Weber.

Colin Allred is the Democratic nominee for Texas's 32nd congressional district, which includes areas of Dallas and Garland.

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Allred is also running on a platform to make Medicare available to all and increase the minimum wage to $15. His endorsements include Julián Castro and Wendy Davis.

Fernando Ramirez covers Texas news and politics. Read him on our breaking news site and on our subscriber site. | Fernando.ramirez@chron.com | @fernramirez93