Escobar locks up Democratic nomination for Congress; one step closer to making history

Former El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar is one step closer to becoming the first Latina elected to Congress in Texas. Escobar locked up the Democratic nomination for District 16 Tuesday.

“I want you to know how thankful I am to each and every one of you,” an emotional Escobar said when addressing supporters, “From the minute that we launched, there was nothing but love in this journey from each and every one of you.”

Escobar easily avoided a runoff in a crowded Democratic field.

new pym.Parent(“1520031728061”, “https://electionwidget.lakana.com/?account=npg-kvia&widgetId=1520031728061”, {});

Democrats in El Paso had six options when casting a ballot in the primary for Congressional District 16, the seat vacated by Congressman Beto O’Rourke.

A disappointed Fenenbock told ABC-7 Escobar had “$500,000 worth of special interest money come into our market and these are non El Pasoans helping steer the decision for El Pasoans and that is very hard to overcome.”

When asked if she would change anything she did during the campaign, Fenenbock said, “We worked very hard. We did the things we needed to do ethically. We knocked on doors, we made phone calls, we talked to as many people as we can, but I came into this as a relative unknown and we worked as hard as we could.”

Fenenbock said she will be back: “There is still hope. I don’t think El Paso has seen the last of Dori Fenenbock.” The former EPISD board president told ABC-7 she cares deeply about the children in our community. “It’s not about being Latino, Anglo or African American. It’s not about rich and poor. This is about everyone having the same opportunities and having leaders that we hold accountable and create opportunities for every family. That is what I am going to fight for.”

The other candidates in the race were Enrique Garcia, Norma Chavez, Jerome Tilghman and John Carillo.