Filipina American candidate featured in powerful video

SCREEN CAPTURE

Gina Ortiz Jones is running for Congress in Texas' District 23.

ONE OF CONGRESSIONAL RACES that is being closely watched nationwide is the 23rd District in Texas that involves first-time Democratic candidate Gina Ortiz Jones and incumbent Republican Will Hurd.

At a candidates' forum in Castroville, Texas, Ortiz Jones approached the microphone to answer a question. After answering the question, she turned to her opponent and asked:

“So Will, will you agree to televised debate?” she asked him. “I think folks all across the district should hear these answers.”

He appeared to nod yes, despite avoiding a debate during the campaign. It is boldness like this that is giving her a chance to become the first Filipina American, and the first openly gay woman to serve in Congress.

Ortiz Jones was one of the scores of women who decided to run for office for the first time after Donald Trump was elected in 2016. Now, less than three weeks before the 2018 midterm elections on November 6, women hold a record number of spots on ballots across the country.

Ortiz Jones was included in two powerful videos, both which emphasized her military service. She served in Iraq and Afghanistan and rose to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Air Force.

In the tight race in the 23rd district, the videos and the message they convey might be the edge she needs to win.

The video, which features eight first-time congressional candidates, was created by Serve America PAC, a political action committee started by Seth Moulton, a Democratic congressman from Massachusetts. It was executive-produced by activist Laurie David, who wanted to highlight these women because of their previous commitment to the country.

"They have already served their country in the most prestigious and courageous way, they have already sworn to uphold the constitution of the United States and now they are choosing once again to serve America," David said in a press release. "We all have an obligation too to serve democracy and that is to vote."

She opens the other video produced by The Washington Post. 'The toughest fights are the ones you run towards, not run away from," she says.

After her military service, she worked at the White House as a national security advisor in the Obama administration.

Texas is a deeply red state. The 23rd District leans Republican but voted for Clinton in 2016. According to fivethirtyeight, Hurd has a slight edge.

However, Ortiz Jones raised $3.6 million for her campaign vs. Hurd.s $1.5 million. How Ortiz Jones spends her funds before the election to motivate younger voters and energize the huge Latino electorate may be the deciding factor in the contest.

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