We've spent the last two weeks on the road, holding town halls throughout Texas to talk with the people who will determine the future of this state.
I begin most of these meetings by briefly introducing myself and sharing what this campaign is about — how we aim to get Texas on the right track, focused on the big things we can do together. We talk about the kinds of jobs we want in our communities, the quality of our kids' schools and how much sense it makes to expand Medicaid so that more people can see a doctor.
Talking to Rose in Lubbock
Then I turn the microphone over to the people who've come out, to hear what they have to say. Depending on where we are and who steps up to talk, we might have a conversation about the foster care system and Child Protective Services, or rural hospital closures; we might talk about mental healthcare or access to abortion; people will ask about my position on guns, on energy, on the criminal justice system and very often they'll tell me theirs.
We've had these conversations in big cities like Dallas and Austin, Houston and El Paso. I've been impressed at how many people have turned out and how many good ideas and thoughtful questions we've heard at these forums.
Austin
But I've also shown up to listen in places like Weatherford, Olney and Vernon. Childress, Dalhart and Amarillo. Lubbock and San Angelo. And it's really been amazing to see so many good people — Democrats and Republicans — turn out to take part in their democracy in a part of Texas that Democrats have traditionally written off and Republicans have usually taken for granted.
Dalhart
You can't serve the people of Texas unless you show up for all the people of Texas, listen to them, learn from them, find a way to work together on the things that we can agree on. Find common ground even on the issues where we might have some differences.
With Amy, Ulysses, and Henry
Amy and our kids joined me on the road last week as we traveled through the Texoma region, the Panhandle and West Texas. Maybe not their ideal way to spend their Spring Break, having to cram into the truck with their folks and drive hundreds of miles from town to town, but I bet they won't forget going to the St. Patrick's celebration in Shamrock, Texas last Saturday. Or gathering with nearly 400 people on the Potter County courthouse steps in Amarillo under a beautiful sky as the sun set on the high plains. I love that they're seeing this with me and understanding why this work is so important, why we need to win, and just how we're going to do it: showing up for everyone, everywhere.
Thank you for making this possible.
Beto
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