Lupe Valdez Makes History With Democratic Nomination for Texas Governor

Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez won the Democratic nomination for Texas governor on Tuesday night, becoming the first Hispanic female and openly gay candidate to win a major party’s gubernatorial nomination in the state. Valdez defeated Houston businessman Andrew White and will now face off against Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in November. “I am constantly hearing this is going to be such an uphill battle,” she told supporters after her win. “Please, tell me when I didn’t have an uphill battle,” she said. Though many believe the odds are stacked against her in ousting Abbott—who has millions of dollars in campaign cash and a large base—Valdez vowed to put up a strong fight as “the candidate of the average, everyday Texan.” Her win coincided with another historic nomination in Georgia, where Stacey Abrams became the first black woman to get the Democratic nomination for governor.