Washington, D.C.–The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) today issued a blog post attacking congressional candidate Candace Valenzuela and Secretary Julián Castro. On Monday, Secretary Castro endorsed Valenzuela, who is currently in a runoff race for the Democratic ticket for Texas’ 24th Congressional District.
In the post, the NRCC used the pejorative term “illegal immigrants” and coded language typically used to demonize immigrants such as “smugglers” and “human traffickers.”
“Today is a milestone for the NRCC– it’s not every day they get to hit two birds with one stone by attacking two Latino leaders in one despicable statement,” said Mayra Macías, Latino Victory Fund executive director. “Besides being baseless, the NRCC’s attacks on Valenzuela and Secretary Castro are also predictable, taken from a page in their racist, xenophobic playbook. Republicans will find any excuse, no matter how absurd, to attack Valenzuela because they fear losing Texas’ 24th Congressional District.
“The NRCC clearly doesn’t want their candidate to face Valenzuela in November–and their fear is valid. Valenzuela is a formidable, inspiring candidate with a broad coalition of support. She has the grit and experience to win in the general election and make history by becoming the first Afro-Latina elected to Congress. Valenzuela would be a fierce, inclusive voice in Congress who would put the well-being of hard-working families first, and that should be more than enough to terrify any Republican.”
