Julio Salinas

Julio Salinas graduated from Sharyland Pioneer High School. He attended the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas, Austin. His career experience includes working as a legislative director.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Julio Salinas, 25, I’m a son of the RGV and son of an immigrant farm worker, running to make an RGV that works for ALL– fighting for Affordability, Labor, and Liberty. I serve as the Co-Chair of the Hispanic Caucus of the Texas Democratic Party– serving as one of the youngest party leaders in the entire state.

I’ve been a community organizer for over a decade and have proudly served as a state capitol staffer, most recently as a legislative director. I am proud of where I’m from and what I do but it was never easy.

My father was the second youngest in a pack of nine siblings. Traveling across the country as migrant farmworkers, from New York to California, before settling here in the Rio Grande Valley.

My dad managed to get an education, land a decent job in local journalism, buy a home, and give my sister and me a better life. But I knew even as a kid that it wasn’t easy. At our kitchen table, we always had a fork, a knife, and a calculator to account for our expenses– but there was a path to a better life but that path to opportunity is broken.

I’m fighting to bring back the opportunities that made the RGV the best place to live because the system is not made for working families.

I have built a life of public service with deep experience in the State House. I know what it takes to serve this community by rebuilding community, restoring trust in a place held back by corruption, and fighting for working families.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

While being the youngest candidate in this race, I have the most experience in the job. I have proudly served as a Legislative Director in the Texas Capitol where I have deep and intimate knowledge of how the process work. I have specialized in the public health and transportation committees where I have fought for caps on prescription drug prices, Medicaid expansion, and helped bring millions of dollars in Transportation funding to Texas. I have successfully killed bills that would have attacked local control and South Texas. I am ready to get to work on day one.I was elected as Co-Chair of the Hispanic Caucus of the Texas Democratic Party where I have been instrumental in helping build Democratic infrastructure in South Texas such as helping bring the 2030 State Democratic Convention to McAllen. I have successfully fended off attacks by Greg Abbott and the Republican Legislature while my opponent in this Dem Primary openly endorsed and voted for them.

This race is about choosing a fighter for South Texas who will stand up to special interests and Republican attacks on our community.There is a simple choice in this primary:

If you believe that we are headed in the wrong direction in this country and the RGV-- Vote for Julio.

If you believe things are going well and there's no need for change-- I'm not your candidate.

I have and will continue to fight for an RGV that Works for ALL. That means taking on the special interests and fighting for teachers, workers, and retirees.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My top priorities in the State Legislature will be to fight for:

Economic Security for Working Families: Secure better benefits for retirees, provide a Childcare Tax Credit for working families, and establish statewide Paid Family Leave.

Fully Funding Public Education: Expand benefits and wages for all staff including a $15,000 raise for teachers & Raising the Basic Allotment per student.

Ensuring Affordable Healthcare for all: Expand Medicaid to lower costs, cap prescription drug prices.

Modernize Infrastructure: Secure funding for drainage, water infrastructure, and bring High Speed Rail to the RGV.

Take on the RGV’s Corruption: Our system is rigged by corruption and special interests. I’m the only candidate ready to fight it.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

State Rep. Venton Jones, HD 100, House Minority Whip

State Rep. Lulu Flores, HD 51

State Rep. Mary Ann Perez, HD 144

State Rep. Christina Morales, HD 145

State Rep. Josey Garcia, HD 124

State Rep. Terry Meza, HD 105

Fmr. State Rep Eddie Rodriguez, HD 51

Fmr. State Rep Celia Israel, HD 50

Run For Something

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, TX Lege Board

Susan Hays

Kolby Duhon, Vice Chair for Finance, TDP

André Treiber, Chair, DNC National Youth Council

Celina Vasquez, DNC Member, Hispanic Caucus

Daphne Tenorio, Co-chair, TDP Hispanic Caucus

Joella Methola, SDEC Rep. for Texas Young Democrats

43 members of the State Democratic Executive Committee