In a stunning move, pastor Frederick Haynes III is throwing his hat into the ring to fill the vacant House seat left by embattled Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who's running in a heated Senate primary. What makes this candidate particularly notable is that he's also Crockett's pastor – a position of trust that's now being leveraged as part of his campaign.
As one of the first national groups to endorse Haynes's candidacy, Justice Democrats sees him as a golden opportunity to snag a crucial win for the progressive left in Texas. The group's spokesperson, Usamah Andrabi, believes that Haynes's anti-Israel stance and outspoken criticism of the Israeli government make him an attractive candidate.
Haynes has built his campaign around ending U.S. military support for Israel, regulating the crypto industry, and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement – all positions that diverge from Crockett's more nuanced approach to these issues. The pastor-turned-politician has also drawn attention for calling out Israeli apartheid and genocide, a stance that puts him at odds with many of his peers in Texas.
Haynes's church in Dallas is known for its activism on social justice issues, including predatory lending, voting rights, and food security. However, this activism comes with its own set of risks – the pastor has been targeted by right-wing groups who view his views as a threat to Israel's interests.
The primary election in Texas is just around the corner, and Haynes's campaign is seen as one of the first real tests for Justice Democrats. The group's decision to wade into this race reflects its efforts to capitalize on voter frustration with the party establishment. As Andrabi noted, "We try to be as selective and intentional about the races and candidates we pick... We're hoping we can really, as a movement — but if not, as Justice Democrats — to start this cycle off with some wins."
As one of the first national groups to endorse Haynes's candidacy, Justice Democrats sees him as a golden opportunity to snag a crucial win for the progressive left in Texas. The group's spokesperson, Usamah Andrabi, believes that Haynes's anti-Israel stance and outspoken criticism of the Israeli government make him an attractive candidate.
Haynes has built his campaign around ending U.S. military support for Israel, regulating the crypto industry, and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement – all positions that diverge from Crockett's more nuanced approach to these issues. The pastor-turned-politician has also drawn attention for calling out Israeli apartheid and genocide, a stance that puts him at odds with many of his peers in Texas.
Haynes's church in Dallas is known for its activism on social justice issues, including predatory lending, voting rights, and food security. However, this activism comes with its own set of risks – the pastor has been targeted by right-wing groups who view his views as a threat to Israel's interests.
The primary election in Texas is just around the corner, and Haynes's campaign is seen as one of the first real tests for Justice Democrats. The group's decision to wade into this race reflects its efforts to capitalize on voter frustration with the party establishment. As Andrabi noted, "We try to be as selective and intentional about the races and candidates we pick... We're hoping we can really, as a movement — but if not, as Justice Democrats — to start this cycle off with some wins."
. crockett's approach might be more nuanced, but maybe that's not what justice democrats are looking for right now... a fresh face with some bold stances 
.
. Can you imagine having to deal with all those factions in Congress? 
And what about his church's activism on social justice issues? It's great to see ppl speaking out, but sometimes it feels like they're more focused on the controversy than the actual cause 
. Justice Democrats is definitely taking a risk by backing him, but at least they're not afraid to take a stand 
. We'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out 
! Pastor Frederick Haynes III is like, the ultimate wild card in the Texas election scene, and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a pastor-turned-politician take on the establishment and speak truth to power about issues that really matter to him? 
And I'm not even getting started on the whole Justice Democrats thing... it feels like they're trying to pawn off their own agenda onto this poor man, without giving him any actual agency in his campaign 
. We need more voices like Haynes' in politics - ones that aren't afraid to speak truth to power and challenge the status quo.