OrgUp interviewed Sema Hernandez, a progressive community organizer in Texas who ran in the Democratic Party primary for U.S. Senate. In this interview, Hernandez touches upon the political landscape in Texas before and after the midterm elections as well as how she used the Democratic primary to push Beto O’Rourke’s program to the left.
You can also listen to more from Sema here: Speech from Texas Poor People’s Campaign Co-Chair, Sema Hernandez, regarding family separation at the Poor People’s Campaign Global Day of Solidarity in Washington, D.C.
Sema Hernandez is a daughter of immigrants, oldest of 7 siblings and first American born child in her family. The sacrifices her parents and grandparents made are part of what fuels the reason she decided to run for U.S. Senate. She grew up in a migrant working family and she understands the struggle of the people that are burdened by crushing debt, job insecurities, and lack of healthcare coverage among other struggles of the working poor.
After a historic 2018 primary election for U.S. Senate, campaigning on progressive issues, policies, and solutions, Sema’s campaign earned 24% of the Democratic vote as a first time candidate. Although Sema did not win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, she continues to remain active, organizing as the Co-Chair of the Texas Poor People’s Campaign, empowering voters to challenge their elected officials and candidates bases on the issues to end systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the distorted moral narrative.