Veronica Escobar
Veronica Escobar
Background
Judge Escobar served two terms as El Paso County Judge, and previously served one term as County Commissioner for Precinct 2.
Before serving El Paso as an elected official, Judge Escobar was Executive Director for Community Scholars, a local non-profit organization that hired high school students to do public policy research and produce reports about El Paso’s challenges and opportunities. She also served as the Communications Director for Mayor Raymond Caballero and was a faculty member at the University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College. She has served as a volunteer on a number of boards, both in El Paso and for the state of Texas.
Judge Veronica Escobar is the daughter of Benjamin and Isabel Escobar. She and her husband, Michael Pleters, have two children: Cristian Escobar (20, a student at Harvard), and Eloisa Escobar (18, a student at Simmons), and they live in Central El Paso.[1]
JStreet PAC endorsement
In 2024 JStreet PAC endorsed Veronica Escobar.[2]
'Building a New Ellis Island'
Gaza ceasefire statement
October 17, 2023, U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Barbara Lee (CA-12), James McGovern (MA-02), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Chuy Garcia (IL-04) are releasing the following statement calling for an immediate ceasefire, or at minimum, a temporary cessation of all hostilities in Israel and Gaza to save civilian lives:
“We remain outraged by the horrific terror attacks carried out by Hamas against Israeli civilians. We are also deeply alarmed by the rising civilian death toll in both Israel and Gaza, including nearly 1,400 Israelis and 3,000 Palestinians. This is a moment that calls for moral and strategic clarity. That is why we believe that the United States must help achieve an immediate ceasefire, or at minimum, a temporary cessation of all hostilities that stops the threats to civilians in Israel and Gaza.
“Let us be clear: our call for a ceasefire should not be mistaken as a lack of support for the protection of the people of Israel. To the contrary, it is because of our dedication to the safety of both Israelis and Palestinians that we seek a path forward without further escalating the toll of civilian dead and injured.
“A cessation of hostilities will allow for the negotiation of the immediate and safe return of all hostages, including Americans, and the delivery of essential humanitarian aid under international auspices. Hamas can and must be stopped and the security of Israel must be guaranteed without the killing of thousands more Palestinian and Israeli civilians. There is a different path. In this devastating time, the United States must lead the way forward.”[3]
Resolution condemning socialism
Fedrary 2, 2023 House Republicans moved a Resolution condemning socialism and certain dictators.
The Resolution began:
- Whereas socialist ideology necessitates a concentration of power that has time and time again collapsed into Communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorships;
- Whereas socialism has repeatedly led to famine and mass murders, and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide;
- Whereas many of the greatest crimes in history were committed by socialist ideologues, including Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un, Daniel Ortega, Hugo Chavez, and Nicolás Maduro;[4]
Eighty six Democrats voted no. Forteen voted "present" and six didn't vote.[5]
Representative Veronica Escobar voted "Present".[6]
No to China committee
Sixty-five Democrats in the House of Representatives voted on Tuesday January 10, 2022, against creating a committee to investigate China and find ways to counter the communist country’s growing international influence.
The House overwhelmingly voted to create the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party on a 365 to 65 margin, in one of the first votes since the Republicans took control of the chamber.
However, even though some members did not vote, all 65 lawmakers who voted against the committee’s creation were Democrats, including Veronica Escobar.
NRDC Action
In 2022 the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund endorsed Veronica Escobar.
Progressive Change Campaign Committee
Progressive Change Campaign Committee endorsed Veronica Escobar in 2022.
Humanitarian Needs in Cuba letter
December 16 2021 , House Rules Committee Chair James McGovern (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory Meeks (D-NY), House Appropriations subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA), and House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Energy Chair Bobby Rush (D-IL) led 114 Members of Congress in a letter to President Biden asking him to prioritize the well-being of the Cuban people as they experience the worst economic and humanitarian crisis in recent history...
In the wake of this year’s protests, the members urged the administration to support the Cuban people by suspending U.S. regulations that prevent food, medicine, remittances, and other humanitarian assistance from reaching the Cuban people...
Signatories included Veronica Escobar.[7]
“Demanding Accountability for Separated Families”
In April 2021, in a webinar on “Demanding Accountability for Separated Families,” the Latinx Accountability Project brought together four leading analysts and activists on immigration issues at and beyond the US-México border. Alvaro Bedoya from the Georgetown Law Privacy Center moderated the discussion, and we’ve excerpted here from his exchanges with Congresswoman Veronica Escobar from El Paso, CBS and Univision contributor Maria Elena Salinas, Jess Morales Rocketto of Families Belong Together, and Erika Andiola of the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, RAICES.[8]
Hope Border Institute
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar February 22 2019·
The Hope Border Institute visited Guatemala to meet with the families of Jakelin Caal Maquin and Felipe Gomez Alonzo. This week, I had the opportunity to express my gratitude for their work, and hear about their visit.
Supporting Escobar
Our Revolution El - Paso endorses Veronica Escobar for Congress (TX 16 Democratic Primary) for more information contact Rebekah Patnode 915-227-9967.
After a candidate forum on January 13, Our Revolution El - Paso endorses Veronica Escobar. The forum was attended by over a hundred people and featured 5 candidates for the Democratic nomination and 1 Republican candidate.
"I am honored to have the support and endorsement of Our Revolution who shares my passion and dedication to ending income inequality and standing up for our border communities,” said Veronica Escobar. “Fighting for healthcare for all, ending gender inequality and establishing quality care for our Veterans are just a few of the issues I will continue to champion alongside Our Revolution as we work to strengthen our democracy so that it works for everybody.”[9]
PDA 2020 endorsement
In 2020 Progressive Democrats of America endorsed Veronica Escobar's congressional run.[10]
Common Defense endorsements
Common Defense endorsed Veronica Escobar for Congress in 2022.
Common Defense endorsed Veronica Escobar in 2018.
Labor Caucus
The Labor Caucus is an official caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2021 members included Veronica Escobar .[11]
CPC Deputy Whips
2021 Congressional Progressive Caucus Deputy Whips: Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Congressman Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush (MO-01).
Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC
In 2018 Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC (CPC PAC), the political arm of the 76-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, endorsed Veronica Escobar (TX-16) for the House of Representatives.[12]
Vote Common Good 2018 endorsements
Vote Common Good 2018 endorsements included Veronica Escobar.
National Nurses United endorsement
National Nurses United 2018 endorsements included Veronica Escobar TX 16.
Lugo connection
Veronica Escobar and Judy Lugo, February 2019.
Judy Lugo August 20, 2018 ·
Great time block walking in McAllen. Thank you Bianca for driving us. On our way back to El Paso tired but would do it again. Thank you Veronica Escobar and Susie Byrd for organizing this and asking us to be part this
Glass connection
Allison N. Glass financial director.
Veronica Escobar for Congress October 22, 2018 ·
Knocking on doors with the amazing @AllisonNGlass this morning! First day of #2018midterms #EarlyVoting and we’ve already met folks who have a plan to get to the polls today for our #borderblitz! #VoteDemocrat
DUH winning candidates 2018
DUH - Demand Universal Healthcare winning candidates 2018.
Ro Khanna, Joe Neguse, Jared Polis, Jesus Garcia, Andy Levin, Jamie Raskin, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Deb Haaland, Madeleine Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Cunningham, Veronica Escobar,
Democracy for America
Veronica Escobar, U.S. House, Texas 16, was endorsed by Democracy for America in 2018.
- Congressman Beto O'Rourke is leaving his seat to challenge Ted Cruz in the Senate, so it is important to ensure El Paso’s vibrant border community is represented by a true progressive leader.
- Veronica has a proven track record of progressive leadership throughout more than a decade of public service - serving first as County Commissioner, and later serving two terms as County Judge. In these roles, she helped expand access to affordable healthcare, fought corruption and bigoted legislation in local government, helped labor unions gain access to the public hospital and local government and protect the rights of more workers. She led advocacy efforts for just immigration policies through the Border Rights Coalition, eventually becoming the co-chair of the coalition. Veronica helped build El Paso’s first Children’s Hospital and expanded the role of El Paso’s public hospital through modern clinics where the neediest could access world-class care. Veronica helped raise wages in her county and stood up to her local police chief when he called Black Lives Matter a “radical hate group.” Escobar sued the State of Texas when Republican legislators pushed through a bill that would allow local law enforcement to become de facto border patrol agents. Veronica Escobar was also a leading voice in protecting the reproductive rights of women in Texas. Her eleven-year record at the county level and a lifetime civic engagement have made her ready to stand up and fight for progressive values at the federal level.
- Veronica grew up working on a dairy farm, and taught Chicano literature at the University of El Paso - Texas prior to has been the recipient of the “Women of Integrity” award given by Women for an Ethical El Paso (2007), the “2008 Elected Official of the Year” Award given by the National Association of Social Workers (Texas Chapter, El Paso Branch), the “Human Rights Safe Communities” award given by the Border Network for Human Rights (2009), and the “2010 Elected Official of the Year” presented to her by the Rio Grande Council of Governments, and the TAMACC 2014 Women of Distinction Award.[13]
Beto supporter
CPC new members
2018 Congressional Progressive Caucus new members included Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Deb Haaland, Veronica Escobar, Chuy Garcia, Joe Neguse, Andy Levin, Mike Levin.[14]
"Green New Deal"
From the Sunrise Movement:[15]
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has released a proposal for a Select Committee on a Green New Deal, a plan that would transform our economy and society at the scale needed to stop the climate crisis.
We have the momentum to make a Green New Deal real, but we need a critical mass of Congresspeople to support the proposal.
Take action on Dec. 10 to show Congress the Green New Deal is a top priority.
Congressional supporters by January 11 2019 included Veronica Escobar.
HR 109 endorser
By February 20 2019 endorsers of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's HR 109 (Green New Deal) included Veronica Escobar.
Medicare for All Act
In February 2019 Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced H.R.1384 - Medicare for All Act of 2019. By May 29 she had 110 co-sponsors including Rep. Veronica Escobar.