A candidate in the Texas 21 Congressional District runoff is calling for her opponent to resign from the Texas Association of Business board in lieu of a lawsuit challenging paid sick leave in Austin.
Mary Wilson, who is running against Joseph Kopser in the CD-21 primary runoff, said in a statement her opponent is a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit from the Texas Public Policy Foundation challenging Austin’s sick leave ordinance.
“The passage of Austin’s paid sick leave ordinance was a hard-earned win for Austin families,” Wilson said. “Joseph Kopser should resign from the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Business and denounce this lawsuit.”
The ordinance, which was passed on October 1, allows employees to accrue paid sick and save leave at the rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked for up to 64 hours annually.
The lawsuit against the city of Austin is wrong and he will continue to fight for justice and equality in the Texas boardrooms, Kopser said.
“It’s too important to be held hostage by political stunts and I won’t let us lose ground now,” Kopser said. “I know how important (paid sick leave) is for our working families.”
This statement by his opponent came in light of a record first quarter fundraising effort by the Kopser campaign, which out-fundraised all three of his Democratic and Republican opponents.
The Federal Election Committee report for the first quarter of 2018 shows a total reporting contribution of $446,924.24 with $278,556.48 cash in hand.
In the primary election, Wilson pulled away with 15,669 votes while Kopser secured his spot in the runoff with 14,684. CD-21, currently held by U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith (R), serves most of eastern Hays County, including Buda, Kyle and San Marcos. Smith announced in 2017 he would not seek reelection.
“Joseph is a millionaire with a lot of connections in the financial world,” Wilson said. “I am going up against the establishment and I understand he will raise more than I will, but I am confident. People are realizing I am the candidate that can win this race.”
Kopser said the fundraising report by the FEC showed a shift in momentum for the people in the district, citing a common ground between Democrats and Republicans that will help secure his seat in Congress.
“People are tired of the politics in Washington and want a moderate candidate who can win with both Democrats and Republicans,” Kopser said. “My experience in the military, leading teams and building nonprofits is starting to stick with people.”
Both candidates agreed that the election for District 21 is one of the most important in the state as it can mark a major shift in the Texas political ideology for Central Texas.
Wilson said a win in November is a win against gerrymandering, which has plagued the district by keeping this area politically Republican. For Wilson, the Democratic turnout in the primary conveyed the message that Democrats are on the cusp of winning the district.
For Kopser, the key component heading into the runoff on May 22 is to keep the momentum from the first quarter.
“We are letting people know they have a real progressive choice that appeals to both sides of the electorate,” Kopser said. “That is how we are going to win this race.”
