State Legislators Respond To Sen. Davis’ Comments
AUSTIN – State Representatives Angie Chen Button, Jason Villalba, James White and Larry Gonzales today released the following statements regarding Sen. Wendy Davis’ recent comment that Republicans dislike people who don’t “look like them.”
“Senator Davis’ comments are more than inappropriate, they are inaccurate,” said Representative Button (R-112). “As a third-term Republican legislator who has won two contested primaries, I think it is ridiculous to suggest that Republicans are gripped by a racial bias. While I may not ‘look’ like a Republican to Sen. Davis, when it comes to limited government and less taxation, I’m proud to represent the look that a majority of Texans agree with.”
Representative Jason Villalba (R-114) echoed this sentiment saying, “As a child, I remember Ronald Reagan running to be President of the United States. His words spoke to me as a young man with ambitions of obtaining a college education and a job that would enable me to support a family. Three decades later, the ideals of the Republican Party are still what motivates me to fight for the American Dream. Greg Abbott understands conservative values and supports opportunity for all Texans. Those who oppose our fight for greater opportunity and lower regulations are lobbing hostile accusations because they cannot win on the merits of their counterproductive policies. The voters of Texas will not be distracted by malicious, incendiary political claims.”
“Contrary to Sen. Davis’ ignorant comments, the Republican Party includes people from all backgrounds who are united in our common belief in the conservative values of freedom and opportunity for all,” Representative White (R-19) said. “Texans deserve leaders who are above using divisive rhetoric for political gain, and in light of her recent remarks Sen. Davis does not fit that bill. At a time when the unemployment rate among African Americans remains stubbornly high due to her Party’s policies, I urge Sen. Davis to focus on bringing jobs to Texas and stop injecting race into her campaign.”
Representative Larry Gonzales (R-52) added, “It is outrageous that Sen. Davis is using this sort of racially-charged rhetoric instead of engaging in a civil discussion about the issues. My Hispanic colleagues on both sides of the aisle and I have worked for decades to ensure that all Texans are represented by their state government, and I am proud of the vibrant and diverse Texas Republican Party that I am part of today.”