Pete Gallego Earns Spot in DCCC’s Emerging Races Program

01/19/2012

Representative Pete Gallego announced today that his campaign for Congress has been recognized as an Emerging Race by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

The DCCC recognized the Gallego campaign for making the race increasingly competitive by meeting infrastructure and organizational goals and beginning to make the case to voters that he is a practical problem-solver who will help protect the middle class when elected to Congress.

“This is a great step for our campaign that shows we’re very competitive and have strong grassroots support,” said Pete Gallego. “We will continue to aggressively build our network, and communicate our message about solving problems and creating jobs. Receiving this recognition from the DCCC - even while uncertainty still remains over the map & the exact boundaries of the district - is a tremendous vote of confidence.”

Emerging Races highlights Democratic candidates and districts that are making themselves increasingly competitive by running smart campaigns.

Since he was first elected in 1990, Pete Gallego has earned a reputation for reaching across the aisle to solve problems. Pete has worked with both Democrats and Republicans to safeguard funding for priorities that make people’s lives’ better – whether by building schools and roads, protecting water quality or creating jobs. The son of a World War II veteran and state employee, Pete was born in the West Texas town of Alpine. He attended local public schools and worked in his family`s restaurant where he learned the value of a hard day`s work. Pete graduated from his hometown college, Sul Ross State University, in two years while balancing three jobs. After graduating, Pete went on to earn a degree from The University of Texas School of Law. He became an assistant attorney general before returning home to serve as a felony prosecutor.

At just 28 years old, Pete`s neighbors elected him State Representative, and sent him to Austin to fight for them. During his career in Austin, Pete led the 43 members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and chaired numerous legislative committees. Pete crafted and helped passed legislation investing billions of dollars in public schools. He’s worked to secure our border, reform our criminal justice system and support Texas veterans.