This week, we are seeing a fight for democracy and self-government in Ukraine that has moved and mobilized people around the world. As Americans, we must stand with Ukrainians and work with our allies and partners to end Russia’s unprovoked and unconscionable war. People around the world are both outraged by Russian aggression and inspired by Ukrainian resolve, commitment, and leadership.
And those are lessons for all of us to take to heart at this moment. Legendary Texan Dan Rather reminded us this weekend: “The fight for freedom and democracy takes many forms. The bloody showdown in Ukraine is one. So is what happens at the ballot box here in the U.S.”
And here in Texas this week, as people head to the ballot box for next Tuesday’s primary election, we see all too well the risks and failures of a democratic system where citizens are excluded and politicians prioritize power over people.
We saw this in the worst possible way this week as Governor Abbott issued a cynical, cruel, and nakedly political order directing our state’s department of Family and Protective Services to target families and kids seeking gender-affirming care and asking doctors, teachers, and others to report them to state authorities. This order is utterly inconsistent with our values as Texans. But it is not at all inconsistent with what we have seen from these leaders in Austin as they use real people as pawns in an effort to hold on to political power.
This week reminds us how important it is that we come together to fight for our values, for democracy – from Austin to Washington to Kyiv. I am proud of the United States’ leadership and partnership with our allies to support Ukraine and to impose swift and meaningful sanctions on Russia in this moment. At the same time, I am deeply disturbed to see national political figures including the former U.S. President, former Secretary of State, and current members of Congress praise Putin, parrot Russian propaganda, and polarize Americans in this moment.
It should not be lost on anyone that President Trump was impeached for withholding security assistance to Ukraine to obtain a personal benefit for himself. And it must not be lost on us how important our elections are – for us and for the world.
The contrast between candidates and ideologies could not be more clear. And we must rise to the challenge this moment presents, doing all we can in this election year to engage in democracy, to protect democracy, and to fight for democracy.
Together, we can do anything –
