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Scenes From the Texas Democratic Convention

Scenes from the Texas Democratic Party's convention in San Antonio.

By Marjorie Kamys Cotera
A Democratic convention attendee holds up signs during remarks by U.S. Congressman and convention chair Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, at the Alamodome on June 17, 2016.

One month after Texas Republicans staged their annual convention in Dallas, Texas Democrats convened at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The gathering coincided with Donald Trump’s latest campaign swing through the state, helping party leaders emphasize a key theme of the convention: uniting in opposition to the presumptive Republican nominee for president.

The stars of the convention were the city's own Castro brothers. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro was a keynote speaker. He's also been touted as a possible running mate for the party's presumptive presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, was the convention's chairman. 

Brothers Julián Castro, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary, and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, speak to the media.Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Along with rallying against Trump, most convention attendees appeared ready to unite behind Clinton, though supporters of her primary rival, Bernie Sanders, were also in attendance.

Hillary Clinton supporter Kim Fredrick.Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Emily Wells, a Bernie Sanders state organizing committee member, counts signaturesMarjorie Kamys Cotera
Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Throughout the weekend, current and former Texas officials emphasized the party's opposition to Donald Trump, in particular his stances on immigration and his comments about certain minority groups. 

Sen. José Menendez, D-San Antonio, speaks alongside other Democratic officials to reporters about Donald Trump.Marjorie Kamys Cotera

 

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro waits behind the stage ahead of his keynote speech.Marjorie Kamys Cotera

 

U.S. Congressman Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, recently made national news for saying, in an open letter to Donald Trump, "... you can take your border wall and shove it up your ass."Marjorie Kamys Cotera 
A mariachi band onstage at the Alamodome in San Antonio.Marjorie Kamys Cotera

 

The Texas State Democratic convention at the Alamodome in San Antonio.Marjorie Kamys Cotera

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Politics 2016 elections Filemon Vela Joaquin Castro Julián Castro Texas Democratic Party