Nathan Hawks, who describes himself as “a lifelong Texan and product of North Texas public schools, announced today (Monday, July 14) that he is running for the Democratic nominee for Texas’ District 24 seat in Congress.
Hawks is also an openly gay man. (Watch for a complete interview with his in the July 18 issue of Dallas Voice.)
Congressional District 24 is a suburban district that spans two counties and more than 10 different school districts. The district is currently represented by Beth Van Duyne, former mayor of Irving.
Hawks said in his press release that he was inspired by his grandfather who “worked his way up from painting stacks on chemical plants” before eventually retiring to become a full time public school bus driver. That inspiration ignited Hawks’ passion for education early on, and he “turned that passion into purpose when he learned that Dan F. Long Middle School, his former school, along with two others in Carrollton, were being shut down due to inadequate funding.”
“Nathan showed up with boots on the ground, talking directly with voters to help move the needle in local races throughout the district,” according to a press release announcing his campaign. “Now he is ready to run to be a congressman who listens, responds and fights for working class families.”
“It’s time to start doing things differently in Washington, D.C. Congress is clearly working against working families,” Hawks said. “I am not a talker; I am a doer who likes to get things done. I’m running to make a difference. For too long, working families have been left behind by a system that prioritizes special interests over real people.
“I’m a problem solver and a relationship builder, two of the most important things missing in Congress today,” he continued. “While incumbents refuse to work across the aisle and rest on their laurels at fancy D.C. donor dinners, our public schools are suffering, and the American dream is out of reach for too many working families.”
Hawks’ press release also noted that he has been endorsed by Keller ISD student organizer Heath Shiflett, former Texas House District 112 candidate Averie Bishop and former Farmers Branch mayoral candidate Jamie Rivas and his wife Sara, who are political organizers in the district.
For more information on the candidate, visit his website at HawksForCongress.com.
—Tammye Nash