AUSTIN, Texas -- Today, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa released the following statement on State Representative Abel Herrero announcing his retirement from the Texas State Legislature after his ninth term in office:

“Today, I speak for Democrats across the state in giving a heartfelt thank you to Abel Herrero for his years of service to hardworking Texas families in the Coastal Bend and across the state.

“From his work for justice for incarcerated people in Texas, to his work to expand healthcare access, to his fearless efforts on behalf of public teachers and students in our state – Representative Herrero, and his unwavering determination to fight for what is right and just, will be missed. 

“Just this past legislative session, we saw Representative Herrero’s courage and tenacity in action, at work for working families, with his successfully-passed amendment to the budget that barred taxpayer funds from going toward private education – an amendment known in Austin simply as ‘the Herrero Amendment.’ In a vacuum, this would have been worthy of praise. But when you consider the immense pressure put upon Representative Herrero by Governor Abbott and other Republicans – even campaigning for the school voucher giveaway a stone’s throw from his district – this was nothing short of an act of heroism.

“We know Republicans will begin pouring untold amounts of dark money into HD-34 to try to flip it red – but we will not be deterred. We will fight with everything we have to ensure this district remains represented by a Democrat – someone who has the best interests at heart of the working families of the Coastal Bend, not just the interests of wealthy interest groups and corporations.”

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