Justice Democrats have a primary challenger for Rep. Henry Cuellar -- their top target

The group that backed AOC wants to unseat a moderate Texas Democrat — or move him to the left.

By Ella Nilsenella.nilsen@vox.com Jun 13, 2019, 7:30am EDT

Justice Democrats — the progressive group that backed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez when she was a long-shot candidate — have announced the first primary challenger they’re supporting in 2020 House races.

As part of an attempt to oust moderate, seven-term Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar, Justice Democrats are throwing their weight behind Jessica Cisneros, an immigration and human rights attorney.

“Our congressman claims to be a Democrat, but he’s voted with Trump nearly 70 percent of the time,” Cisneros said in her launch video. “He’s Trump’s favorite Democrat. Henry Cuellar voted to defund sanctuary cities and reproductive services for women’s health. He’s received an A rating from the NRA. And he’s accepted thousands of dollars from private prisons and the Koch brothers.”

Cisneros, on the other hand, touts progressive policies she supports including Medicare-for-all, the Green New Deal, and a $15 minimum wage. In the video, she pledges not to take corporate PAC money.

It’s no secret Justice Democrats have been eyeing Cuellar for a while; they announced he was their No. 1 target to primary back in January. And they are hoping Cisneros will be the next Ocasio-Cortez.

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https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/6/13/18663332/justice-democrats-henry-cuellar-primary