2018 was a good year for Texas Democrats. Beto O’Rourke came within 2.6 points of unseating Ted Cruz, who previously won his U.S. Senate seat by 16 points in 2012. Democrat Mike Collier came just five points shy of unseating far-right Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who crushed his Democratic opponent in 2014 by almost 20 points. Democrats picked up two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and overall lagged behind GOP candidates by only 3.5 points compared to 20 points in 2016. One of the most impressive close races for the U.S. House was in Texas’ 10th, a gerrymandered R+9 district Republican incumbent Michael McCaul won by 18.89 points in 2016 but came just four points shy of losing to progressive Democrat Mike Siegel in 2018, with Beto O’Rourke winning the district.

Unlike many Democratic candidates in red districts, Mike Siegel did not move to the center to win the campaign; rather, he ran a proudly progressive campaign meant to mobilize a grassroots base without the support of corporate donors. Given his success in 2018, he is giving it another go in 2020.

Mike Siegel already knows that the circumstances will be very different in 2020. Beto O’Rourke could theoretically be at the top of the ticket either as the Democratic Party’s U.S. Senate or presidential nominee, as some Democratic activists are trying to draft him for the presidential race. Regardless, Republicans will be mobilized by Donald Trump, who maintains a nearly 90% approval rating with Republican voters.

Fortunately, Mike Siegel is prepared to build upon his grassroots field operation in 2020. He hopes to inspire voters again by prioritizing four issues: (1) Medicare for All; (2) criminal justice reform; (3) the Green New Deal; and (4) voting rights.

Mike Siegel joined us on the podcast to discuss his progressive politics and winning strategy for 2020. Listen on iTunes or in your browser below:

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