Austin-area elected officials and Democratic candidates remembered Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, after her death Wednesday at 96. Huerta worked alongside farm-worker rights advocate Cesar Chavez.
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin) said he was "heartbroken" and praised Huerta for decades of work to "make the world a better place for workers, women, and immigrants." In a written statement, Casar said she would travel on short notice to join protests and meetings with Texas workers. Austin City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes said Huerta made a "huge impression" on her life and encouraged her to keep going.
Montserrat Garibay, the Democratic nominee for Texas House District 49, said on social media that her "heart is heavy" and called Huerta an "icon." Bobby Pulido, the Democratic nominee for Texas' 15th Congressional District, said Huerta's legacy "lives on" in workers and families. Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder said Huerta spoke at the party's state convention in June, where she called on Texas Democrats to organize and vote. Scudder said the party would continue her work.