In the country’s top fossil fuel producing state, Democratic legislators head to primary runoffs this spring that together could elect a wave of new progressive leadership on climate and energy. Here’s who we’re backing:

• Montserrat Garibay for House District 49: A union leader in the Austin area, Garibay fought to convince her school board to make up funding when the Texas state legislature cut full day Pre-K and has since gone on to lead at the Texas AFL-CIO and US Department of Education. She believes Texas must leverage the clean energy economy to benefit workers by investing in wind, solar, and energy storage, with a focus on union jobs.
• Julio Salinas for House District 41: Salinas grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and has stood up for climate justice as a state legislative staffer for the Transportation Committee where he helped ensure the final vote against a bill that would have prevented the Department of Transportation from taking into account environmental impact in construction bids. He’s running to push for clean energy opportunities in Texas and to establish the geothermal energy production policy council which would bring needed clean energy jobs to his district. 
• Junior Ezeonu for House District 101: Ezeonu is a city councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem in Grand Prairie where he was elected as the youngest member to serve at 22! In office, he’s worked to finalize the city’s climate action plan, upgrade its fleet to electric vehicles, and create an affordable transportation program for residents. He’ll fight for greater regulations on oil and gas companies that frack and drill in working class neighborhoods – and wants to ensure the state provides the kind of clean energy investments that could bring thousands of jobs to his district’s residents while driving down the cost of energy.
• Brian Beck for Denton Mayor: Beck is a university biochemics researcher and educator who has been a leader on City Council where he’s helped advance Denton’s Climate Action Plan, fought for the expansion of solar installations citywide, and strengthened gas well management regulations. If elected Mayor, he will continue to ensure Denton remains a leader in climate action by expanding energy storage to help stabilize the grid, ensuring the city stays on track with its clean energy goals, and advocating for regional partnerships to protect water supplies.