Democratic Leaders Host High-End Fundraiser In Storm-Ravaged Houston
In the midst of the rebuilding Texas city, Democratic Party power brokers are holding a high-dollar fundraiser hosted by large Clinton donor Tahir Javed. Attending is Beto O'Rourke, who claims to refuse large campaign contributions. Sema Hernandez responds...
Tahir Javed, who contributed $11,300 three times during the 2018 election cycle, and ultimately donated $171,000 to the Hillary Victory Fund, hosted Clinton fundraisers. Now, he is back to host another fundraiser for top Democrats, who have included Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) in the meeting. While O'Rourke claims he does not accept PAC contributions, he nonetheless likes big money. A recent poll shows he may be closing in on incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). Albeit still in the primary race within his own party, those voters currently supporting him would likely transition to Sema Hernandez (a progressive "Berniecrat" challenging him in the primaries) should she overtake O'Rourke in this preliminary battle.
The "big story" here isn't that the Democrats are hosting a high-end fundraiser and bringing along their bourgeois friends. That is par-for-the-course with the establishment Democrats. Neither is it a big surprise that they are bringing along O'Rourke, who himself has received health insurance subsidies and a $13,500 contribution from Time-Warner in the '17-'18 mid-term election cycle. What is curious, however, is the decision to host this event in an area currently begging for financial support from Congress after having been ravaged by hurricanes Harvey and Irma. It would seem a curious decision to gather funds for Democratic campaigns where their constituents there have been put off by Schumer's refusal to grant subsidies for recovery. The fact that the event is hosted by a Clinton donor just adds irony. The fact that O'Rourke, who is currently being challenged from the left, will be there to line his pockets only rubs salt into the wounds of economic subjugation.
Primary challenger Sema Hernandez, with any luck, could prove to be the establishment's Achilles Heel in this Texas battle, as she has not only espoused the progressive values foregone by the DNC, but is running against someone willing to go to Houston, not to provide relief to his constituents there, but to pass the storm-torn homes on his way to a meeting of the DNC's elite. Hernandez has herself spoken of Houston's crisis as one of the events that acted as a catalyst in her decision to run. I reached out to her campaign for comment, and she sent the following response, included in full below...
"There are working class families who are still struggling to repair their homes. Due to the delay in Harvey Relief in low income & undocumented communities, people having health issues due to secondary exposure to mold &/or chemicals from oil refineries. I live in Pasadena, TX, near HWY 225 that has about 12 miles of oil refineries along the Houston Ship channel. During the hurricane as our home was flooding, my husband & I rescued our neighbors, then I went back to rescue a Vietnam Air Force Veteran. After Harvey, I organized to coordinate demo from home & food prep & distribution to affected families. My campaign was put on hold, my home & vehicle flooded. Despite the obstacles, I did all I could for people in my neighborhood & across Houston. I didn't ask for money to fund my campaign, I volunteered to give all I could to truly help as many people as possible. There was no photo ops or fundraising for our campaign, after seeing & living the devastation first hand, swimming to rescue my neighbors, & helping people in their most vulnerable moments, I couldn't & would never take advantage of people like that. There is still help needed not just in Houston but all across Texas where Hurricane Harvey left its mark. I pledged #OffFossilFuels Act long before I decided to run for office & I'm keeping my promise. I will always choose People Over Profits."
