TX-24: Kim Olson faces momentum from Candace Valenzuela in bid to flip GOP-held U.S. Hous

[RandySF]

Kim Olson began her congressional campaign last year with high hopes.

Fresh off a run for agriculture commissioner that endeared her to Democratic activists statewide, she looked to the 24th District as a unique opportunity to not only flip a newly competitive seat but also help her party down-ballot with an array of battleground state House seats in the area.

For months, Olson looked like a candidate to beat, launching with a biographical video that went viral and building a strong early fundraising lead. But as the fall went on — and especially now in the runoff — Olson has had to increasingly confront the threat of Candace Valenzuela, a local school board member aiming to become the first Afro Latina elected to Congress.

The political trajectories of the two women are set to collide Tuesday, when Democrats will pick their nominee to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell. The seat is a national Democratic target after he won reelection two years ago by a surprisingly small margin.

The runoff has been dominated lately by scrutiny of Olson's time working for the Dallas school district in the late 2000s. But there have also been lingering questions related to race, life experience, other parts of their resumes and connections to North Texas district.



https://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/10/kim-olson-candace-valenzuela-runoff/

[TexasTowelie]

1. In the primary, Olson received 40.9% of the vote while Valenzuela received 30.4%.

The Republican opponent is Beth Van Duyne, the former mayor of Irving. I lived in that district from 2000 to 2012. The district is R+9 and I think that Olson has a better chance of winning a general election than Valenzuela.

[RandySF]

3. I know that's probably true

but Valenzuela REALLY pulls on my heartstrings.

[TexasTowelie]

4. The voters in that district will have to choose whether to make an emotional decision or a

decision based upon qualifications. I've been receiving email from the campaigns of both candidates for almost a year and I am troubled that the Valenzuela campaign has engaged in a lot of negative campaigning while Olson has refrained from doing so. Valenzuela's biography does not indicate much professional experience so I have doubts regarding whether she would be able to adequately represent her constituents.

[Gothmog]

2. I like Kim Olson

I think that she is the better candidate