Opinion: Democrat Marcos Vélez is the best choice for Lt. Governor
Marcos Vélez brings a blue-collar perspective to a campaign focused squarely on working-class priorities. Here’s why I believe he is the strongest candidate in this race.
In a state where working families are increasingly squeezed by rising costs and limited support, Marcos Vélez’s story stands out. Raised in Houston by a single mother who took “back-breaking jobs” to provide for the family, he saw firsthand what it means to make an honest living in Texas, a state that is often hostile to those struggling to get by.
Like many working-class Texans, Vélez sought work in the oilfield after graduating high school. He’s no stranger to long hours, hard labor, and the scorching Texas sun in an industry that is both physically dangerous and mentally taxing. Later in his career, he joined the United Steelworkers, a labor union that represents more than 1.2 million workers nationwide. It was in this role that he advocated for working people and their rights to organize for better wages and working conditions.
I believe that Vélez’s professional experience and labor advocacy make him an essential asset in politics for the millions of blue-collar Texans who often go unrepresented in state government. His campaign is laser-focused on kitchen table issues that keep many Texans up at night, wondering if they’re going to pay rent, utilities, groceries, or schedule that important doctor’s visit. These are the issues that motivate politically-inactive Texans to show up to the polls. The math is simple: these voters will be key to flipping this state and his type of campaign is exactly how we motivate people to vote for something, rather than against something.
For me, this race is personal because I also come from a working-class family. My father became a firefighter after graduating from high school and later went to work in the oilfield to provide for our family. The job comes with strange hours, long nights, and days away from the family, but my father (like millions of Texans) had no other choice. It’s time that families like ours had real representation in our state government and that’s why I’m proud to endorse Marcos Vélez for Texas Lieutenant Governor.
Early voting for the Democratic primary run-off will take place from May 18-22, with Election Day scheduled for May 26, 2026. I hope you will consider voting for Vélez and giving us working-class Texans a representative in government. This would send a strong message to the billionaires who believe they own our state government.