Local Democratic Party leaders: West Texans will rally behind nominee ‘There is some support for Bernie out here,’ says party chair candidate

Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd at McEnery Convention Center, South Hall, Sunday, March 1, 2020 in San Jose, Calif. Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd at McEnery Convention Center, South Hall, Sunday, March 1, 2020 in San Jose, Calif. Photo: Jim Gensheimer / Special To The Chronicle Photo: Jim Gensheimer / Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Local Democratic Party leaders: West Texans will rally behind nominee 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Bernie Sanders may become the Democrats’ presidential nominee whether West Texas party members are ready or not.

After wins in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, the Sanders campaign train is moving full throttle into Super Tuesday, which includes primary elections in Texas. It is quite a change from 2016 when Sanders was playing second fiddle to Hillary Clinton.

Even in Texas, which is not exactly a mecca for Democratic socialists, Sanders is polling at or near the top. A poll from the University of Texas and Texas Tribune show the Vermont senator collecting 24 percent of Democrats surveyed. Former Vice President Joe Biden was second at 22 percent, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was third at 15 percent.

A poll from University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs, reported this past week on The Hill.com, showed Biden and Sanders virtually in a dead heat at 22.5 and 22.1 percent, respectively. Warren was again third at 18.5 percent.

“I have talked to lots of people and would have to say there is some support for Bernie out here,” said Cathy Broadrick, one of two Democrats on the ballot for Midland County party chair. “(His support) is most concentrated in younger people but there are many lifelong Dems who are favorable for Bernie.”

Both Broadrick and Kristin Hanggi, the other candidate for party chair, said there is plenty of support for candidates across the board. Former Democratic Chair David Rosen already submitted a letter to the Reporter-Telegram throwing his support in the primary for Amy Klobuchar, a senator from Minnesota.

“Most people are planning to support the party’s presidential nominee,” Hanggi said. “On social media there is targeted effort to divide people. I know with 2016 election, Democrats were divided, and people didn’t turn out to the polls like people hoped.”

Margaret Williams, the current chair of the Midland County Democratic Party, writing in an email about Sanders’ candidacy and how it registers with West Texas Democrats, said, “If he wins the nomination, we will support him. Whoever wins will get our support.”

In the presidential primary in 2016, Democratic Party voters inside Midland County picked Sanders as a solid second to Hillary Clinton, who captured 63.07 percent of the vote, compared to Sanders’ 34.62 percent.

“I understand the draw,” said Broadrick, who also said younger Democrats have been active in their campaigning for Sanders, including manning phone banks.

Broadrick added that Sanders has played a role in moving the party “farther left,” and that “most of us are comfortable where we landed.” She said she will pick a candidate who most aligns with “my ideology.

“We will worry about who can win in November,” Broadrick said.

Hanggi said Tuesday’s major candidates in the presidential primary have differences – regionally and in terms of the demographics of their supporters.

“There is a wide range of support (for all the candidates) in West Texas,” Hanggi said.

Democratic Party chair race

The two candidates for the Midland County Democratic Party chair are Cathy Broadrick and Kristin Hanggi.

Broadrick described herself as a lifelong Democrat from Big Spring who considers herself an activist and has even served as a “union president.” She moved to Midland in 2011.

Hanggi is a recent arrival to Midland after spending around a decade in Iraan and Snyder. She has worked with the Tom Green Democratic Party and former Agricultural commissioner candidate Kim Olson to modernize communication platforms.