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Mission: Texas

Kate Rumsey & Alex Clark

Texas is growing faster than anywhere else — and that growth means more electoral power. As blue strongholds lose seats, the road to protecting the White House must run through the Lone Star State. If we do not flip Texas by the next census, we risk losing the White House for a generation.“Mission: Texas” dives into the strategy, people, and stories needed to flip the state.Hosted by two Texas lawyers and parents — a former candidate and a long-time organizer, both with military roots — we mix

government politics

All Episodes

49:46

Ep. 26: Marcos Velez on the Texas Lt. Governor Runoff...

Mission: Texas ·

2026/04/02

What does it take to run for Texas Lieutenant Governor as a union negotiator and not a career politician? In this episode of Mission: Texas, Kate and Alex sit down with Marcos Velez, Democratic candidate for Texas Lieutenant Governor and Assistant Director of United Steelworkers District 13, ahead of the 2026 runoff election.Marcos brings a background unlike anyone else in the race: raised by a hotel housekeeper who made $4.25 an hour before a union job changed their family's trajectory, Marcos has

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62:28

Ep. 25: Luke Warford and the Agave Fund

Mission: Texas ·

2026/03/26

This week on Mission: Texas, we sit down with Luke Warford, founder of the Agave Fund and former Democratic nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, whose 2022 run turned heads nationally. Luke breaks down why 2026 may be the perfect storm for Texas Democrats, what down-ballot candidates can learn from the Senate primary, and how the Agave Fund is building the infrastructure that actually wins elections.In this episode:• Luke's origin story: from the Obama campaign to Texas Railroad Commissioner to

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49:43

Ep. 24: Clayton Tucker - Ag Commissioner, Food...

Mission: Texas ·

2026/03/19

In this episode of Mission: Texas, Kate and Alex sit down with Clayton Tucker, fifth-generation Texan rancher and the Democratic nominee for Texas Agriculture Commissioner — the candidate running to lower your grocery bill, protect Texas water, and bust the monopolies rigging the system.We discuss how just four corporations control the entire U.S. meat supply, why AI data centers are draining Texas water and driving up utility bills, and what the Ag Commissioner can actually do about it. We also get

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56:47

Ep. 23: What the Texas Primary Results Really Mean

Mission: Texas ·

2026/03/12

In this episode of Mission: Texas, we break down the biggest takeaways from the Texas primaries with Michelle Davis, substack writer of Lone Star Left, and David De La Fuente, Dallas political strategist and podcast host of Loserville.We discuss the unexpectedly high Democratic turnout, why younger candidates are gaining traction across Texas, and what races revealed about where Texas Democrats may be headed next. The conversation covers the rise of James Talarico, the debate over competing

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48:38

Ep. 22: Powered By People

Mission: Texas ·

2026/03/05

In this episode of Mission: Texas, we sit down with Aimee Prudhomme, the new Executive Director of Powered by People, Beto O’Rourke’s volunteer-led organizing group built to flip Texas through human-to-human voter engagement. We talk about why registration is only step one, how relational organizing boosts turnout, and what it looks like to build long-term power across the whole state — not just the big cities. Aimee also shares her personal story of leaving corporate America for this work, and why

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48:27

Ep. 21: The Railroad Commission Isn't About Trains —...

Mission: Texas ·

2026/02/26

In this episode of Mission: Texas, we sit down with Jon Rosenthal, a four-term Texas state representative, engineer, and the Democratic nominee for Railroad Commissioner, to break down one of the most powerful and least understood offices in Texas government — and why it affects every Texan’s electric bill, safety, and environment.In this episode, we cover: What the Texas Railroad Commission actually does — and why it has nothing to do with trains How oil and gas industry money and conflicts of

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59:37

Ep. 20: A Progressive Muslim Running For Congress...

Mission: Texas ·

2026/02/19

Released at the start of Ramadan and during Texas primary season, this episode of Mission: Texas features host Alex Clark in conversation with Zeeshan Hafeez, a progressive Democrat running for Congress. They discuss what it means to run as a Muslim Texan, his race against Julie Johnson and Colin Allred, and the role of outside political spending, including AIPAC, in shaping primary contests.Note: Julie Johnson was on the podcast in December. Mission: Texas also reached out to Colin Allred’s

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72:22

Ep. 19: Taylor Rehmet's win, the Texas Primaries, and...

Mission: Texas ·

2026/02/12

Texas primary season is underway, and Democrats just got a major win with the Senate District 9 special election.In this episode of Mission: Texas, we’re joined by State Rep. Rafael Anchia, a multi-decade elected official, for a clear-eyed breakdown of the Texas Democratic Primaries and what the SD-9 result tells us about the road ahead. Rep. Anchia has served with many of the people running for office in this primary season, including Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico.We discuss: Why the SD-9

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46:18

Ep. 18: Tony Box (Veteran, former AUSA) on Restoring...

Mission: Texas ·

2026/02/05

We finalize our interviews of all Attorney General candidates with Tony Box, a veteran, former FBI agent, former federal prosecutor, and Dallas-area dad. We talk about what the AG’s office is supposed to do, and how it’s been distorted by decades of partisanship. Tony shares his extraordinary personal story, from surviving a gunshot wound at 16, to serving as a tank commander, JAG officer, FBI agent, and white-collar prosecutor, and explains why that experience uniquely prepares him to lead the

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57:35

Ep. 17: Joe Jaworski on Reclaiming the Texas AG Office

Mission: Texas ·

2026/01/29

In this episode, we’re joined by Joe Jaworski, candidate for Texas Attorney General and former Mayor of Galveston, for a wide-ranging conversation about what the Texas AG actually does — and what the office could do if Democrats take it back.We talk about: Joe's immigrant family history How power really works in Texas government — and how the AG can be an independent check Jaworski’s case for a new “Division of Affordability” at the AG’s office to protect Texans as ratepayers, consumers, parents,

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43:32

Ep. 16: What Do The Top Texas Donors Really Want To See?

Mission: Texas ·

2026/01/22

What do Texas donors really want before they invest—and what will it take to fund a winning path for Democrats in Texas?In this episode of Mission: Texas, hosts Kate and Alex talk with leading Texas Democratic fundraisers Claire Dewar and Howard Klion about the donor mindset and the infrastructure needed to win long-term.In this episode: What Texas donors want to see before they give Why “big shiny” statewide races aren’t enough The demand for results, ROI, and accountability Building real

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45:04

Ep. 15: Progress Texas and How Media Can Help Flip...

Mission: Texas ·

2026/01/15

On this episode of Mission: Texas, Kate and Alex sit down with Chris and Kathleen from Progress Texas—a 15-year-old progressive media organization (and podcast network) built to fight disinformation, keep attention on the long game, and help Texans stay engaged before, during, and after campaigns.And we even play “Obsessed,” a game from our friends at "Pod Bless Texas," for a little holiday fun.In this episode, we also talk about: What Progress Texas is (and why “campaigns come and go”) The Daily

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86:40

Ep. 14: Texas Democratic Veterans on Venezuela

Mission: Texas ·

2026/01/08

Richardson Area Democrats (RAD) invited Mission: Texas to moderate a special panel of Democratic veterans and military civilians running for office across North Texas for an urgent, in-depth conversation about Venezuela, war powers, and the future of American democracy.Former service members and current candidates from Congress to the Texas House and Senate break down what’s happening, what it means for U.S. foreign policy, why congressional authorization matters, and how unchecked executive power

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67:39

Ep. 13: Recap, Resolutions, and West Wing References

Mission: Texas ·

2026/01/01

As Texas heads into a pivotal election year, Kate and Alex kick off the new year with a special recap and resolutions episode inspired by The West Wing. From precinct chairs and working-class messaging to gun safety, faith, and grassroots turnout, this episode breaks down what Texas Democrats must do to actually win.Channeling Sam, Toby, CJ, Josh, and President Bartlet, the hosts revisit their first twelve episodes and lay out concrete resolutions for flipping Texas.We also spark a little friendly

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57:12

Ep. 12: Giffords, Gun Owners for Safety in Texas...

Mission: Texas ·

2025/12/26

A Giffords leader, Army combat veteran, Texas gun owner, and Democrat Steven Kling joins Mission Texas to dismantle one of the biggest political myths in Texas — that being a Democrat is somehow in conflict with being a gun owner. Steve Kling of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety explains why common-sense gun safety laws protect the Second Amendment, preserve public trust in responsible gun ownership, and keep Texas communities safe.As Texans head into the new year, this is a must-hear conversation

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55:52

Ep. 11: The Most Powerful Job in Texas: Lt. Governor...

Mission: Texas ·

2025/12/18

In this episode of Mission: Texas, we talk with State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, a Democratic candidate for Texas Lieutenant Governor, about why this office holds outsized power in Texas politics and how that power impacts everyday Texans.We also discuss Dan Patrick's leadership (or lack thereof) and how the past Democratic candidate, Mike Collier, is now running as an "independent." (right...) We also discuss: Why centralized power in the Texas Senate blocks bipartisan solutions Public education as the

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22:55

Ep. 10: Filing Day for Texas Dems & the Primary No...

Mission: Texas ·

2025/12/11

Kate and Alex sit down with Congresswoman Julie Johnson on Texas’s filing deadline day—the moment when the political map was shifting in real time. As Jasmine Crockett entered the Senate race, Colin Allred abandoned his Senate candidacy and jumped into TX-33, instantly becoming Julie's primary challenger.Julie talks candidly about why women are not benchwarmers, why this race matters, and how Democrats win long-term by delivering—not performing.In this episode, we cover: The political shakeup:

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61:36

Ep. 9: Confronting Christian Nationalism in Texas...

Mission: Texas ·

2025/12/04

Texas is one of the most deeply churched states in America—67% of adults here identify as Christian. So understanding how to navigate the entrenched evangelical culture that shapes so much of Texas politics is at the heart of today’s episode.Kate and Alex sit down with Brian Recker—writer, creator, and former evangelical pastor—whose book Hell Bent is reshaping the national conversation about the intersection of faith, fear, and political power in America.Brian explains how teachings centered on

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50:29

Ep. 8: Thankful for Democratic Wins in Texas (fmr...

Mission: Texas ·

2025/11/27

This Thanksgiving, we’re serving up a special episode of Mission: Texas with former State Rep. John Turner, the Texas Democrat who flipped a long-held Republican House seat in 2018. Whether you’re on a holiday road trip, cooking dinner, or running in a Turkey Trot, this is your political pep talk for 2026 and beyond.John shares how he went from a successful law career at a law firm to deciding a “one-in-three” shot was enough to run; what makes 2018 similar to 2026; and how suburban, rural, faith,

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53:02

Ep. 7: The Elephant in the Room Texas Democrats KEEP...

Mission: Texas ·

2025/11/20

Note: This episode was recorded before the recent court decision on redistricting.State Rep. Mihaela Plesa (HD 70 – Collin County) joins Mission: Texas to break down how gerrymandering, mid-decade redistricting, and low turnout are keeping Texas red—and what it really takes to win in a suburban swing district north of Dallas.Mihaela shares her journey as the daughter of immigrants and a bilingual kid in Collin County, to small business owner, to unpaid Capitol intern at 32, to Vice Chair of the

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