Bernie Sanders movement changing Democratic politics in Texas

Activists push leftward as candidates hope economic message resonates

By Jeremy Wallace, Houston Chronicle December 28, 2017

Excerpts:

Hightower said the Bernie Sanders movement highlights an economic populism that used to be the way Texas Democrats dominated with working men and women. Access to health care, college education and a healthy distrust of corporate greed are all elements of the Sanders rise to prominence that could be tools for Democrats in Texas to finally win back the state, he said. "We reach out to real working stiffs and farmers," Hightower said. "We can turn people out."

There is no questioning that the Sanders campaign had an impact on Democratic politics, said Lillie Schechter, the leader of the Harris County Democratic Party. "It has brought a lot of young people into the party," Schechter said. "It's also opened a dialogue on a lot of issues."

Kutalik-Couthren said victories in local races has only helped build optimism as the calendar turns to 2018. "We're building a movement, a grassroots movement," he said. "The momentum is just growing as we get closer to the 2018 cycle."

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Bernie-Sanders-movement-changing-Democratic-12460650.php