STATEMENT FROM JOHN LIRA, CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS IN TEXAS’ 35TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, REGARDING OUTSIDE DARK MONEY

TX-35 Voters - Not Washington Insiders - Should Decide This Primary

San Antonio, TX - John Lira, Marine Corps veteran and candidate for Texas’ 35th Congressional District, issued the following statement regarding the surge of “dark money” and Washington special interest attempting to tip the scales in the TX-35 Democratic Primary.

“The reaction from Washington operatives to our campaign shows exactly what we already knew: DC operatives are trying to buy influence in TX-35 before voters even get a chance to make their voice heard.”

“I entered this race to fight against a rigged system. First, it was against the GOP’s gerrymandered maps that tried to dilute our community’s voice. Now, we face a different kind of suppression: the DC special interest attempting to shape this race from the outside. And I’m not going to stay quiet if anyone, from any party, treats the people of TX-35 like a chessboard game instead of a community.”

“Let me be clear: You cannot buy roots in this community. I was born and raised in this district. I have been here, listening to working families in Bexar, Wilson, Guadalupe, and Karnes counties. I’m running to represent the people I served with and grew up with, not to be a rubber stamp for power brokers 1,500 miles away.”

“I lead the Democratic Field in TX-35 in endorsements, in volunteers, in canvassing and in experience and in favoring policies that look out for all Texans. I am a principled Democrat who fights for the people. I do not take marching orders from Washington DC Dark Money insiders.”

“My campaign in TX-35 is singularly focused on the issues that matter most to working families: lowering everyday costs, ensuring access to affordable health care, reducing the price of prescription drugs, and fighting for better wages, strong job security, and a dignified retirement.”

"I am committed to protecting a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions and will work to extend crucial Obamacare subsidies. Furthermore, unlike candidates beholden to Dark Money interests, I will unequivocally not support expanding ICE funding until key enforcement reforms are implemented or any other agency that infringes upon the guaranteed constitutional rights of all people."

“I answer only to the voters of TX-35, not to Washington operatives. We are building the strongest people-powered campaign in this race because while money can buy ads, it cannot buy trust.”

“I am a Marine who swore an oath to defend the Constitution, and that means defending the right of voters, not the powerful special Washington establishment, to choose their leaders. We will not be bought, and we will not be silenced. If you believe TX-35 deserves a representative who will fight for this community, and only this community, I’d be honored to earn your support, your vote, and your help building the strongest grassroots campaign this district has ever seen.”

John Lira is available for media interviews. Please contact Juan Rodriguez at 312-771-0263 and juan@liraforcongress.com

###

About John Lira

A fourth-generation Mexican American from San Antonio’s Southeast Side, Lira enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 17 and served 11 years, including two deployments to Iraq. Using the GI Bill, he became the first in his family to graduate from college (San Antonio College, University of Texas-San Antonio) and later earned a master’s from Carnegie Mellon University.

He continued public service in the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative fellow, a management and program analyst at the Small Business Administration and

AmeriCorps, and a national commission focused on military, national, and public service. Lira has dedicated his career to helping those who serve, from veterans starting businesses and to serving as the senior presidential advisor for Americorps. John is committed to supporting all those who serve their communities and country.