In a bid to unseat Republican incumbent U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Democratic State Senator Roland Gutierrez has officially filed his candidacy for the upcoming U.S. Senate election. Representing a significant portion of San Antonio and southwest Texas, including Uvalde, Gutierrez launched his campaign in July, officially filing the necessary documents at the Texas Democratic Party Headquarters in Austin on Monday, December 11.

The announcement was accompanied by a show of support from Uvalde residents, as well as advocacy groups such as Mothers For Democracy and Mothers Against Greg Abbott. Young voters from across the state also joined the event, signaling a diverse and widespread backing for Gutierrez’s candidacy.

Gutierrez‘s decision to run gained traction back in April when sources close to him hinted at the likelihood of challenging Cruz. His official candidacy comes as no surprise to those following Texas politics closely.

One significant event that has fueled Gutierrez’s campaign is the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24, 2022, where 19 students and two teachers lost their lives. The state senator contends that Cruz has failed to adequately address gun safety issues in the aftermath of this devastating incident.

In a statement released on Monday, Gutierrez expressed his commitment to bringing about change in the state. “After the Robb Elementary Massacre, we saw every failure that happened in Uvalde. In Uvalde and across the state, thousands joined together to demand change, but we saw firsthand how our leaders only care about maintaining power,” he said.

Gutierrez, a gun owner and supporter of the Second Amendment, criticized the Republican response to the tragedy. “After 19 children and 2 teachers died, Republicans wouldn’t even allow us to have a conversation about gun safety. But what happened in Uvalde wasn’t just about guns; it was about the neglect of rural Texas and the systems in this state that are supposed to keep us safe,” he added.

The state senator emphasized his commitment to addressing the real problems faced by Texans, accusing Republicans of prioritizing their wealthy donors over the needs of the working class. “I’m going to work hard to fix the real problems of today. Texans will have a Senator that will fight for them,” Gutierrez affirmed.

Before facing Ted Cruz in the November election, Gutierrez must first navigate the Democratic primary on March 5, 2024, where he will compete against U.S. Representative Collin Allred. The primary will serve as a crucial milestone in determining the Democratic nominee who will challenge Cruz for the U.S. Senate seat.