Following a historic 2018 primary campaign for U.S. Senate on progressive issues, policies, and solutions, supporters of our campaign have asked whether and when I will seek office again. 

John Cornyn and many of our other elected representatives continue to maintain a status quo which leaves millions in systemic poverty, without healthcare, secure jobs, affordable housing, or savings for our future.  Our campaign earned 24% of the Democratic vote on a platform of reform.  Across the nation, voters have elected grassroots candidates running on the same platform. Still, the parties refuse to hear voters’ demands.   Together we have remained active, calling for the end of the war economy, systemic racism, dependence on the fossil fuel industry and organizing to end poverty.

I worked in healthcare for 6 years, I have witnessed the flaws in our healthcare system, something most politicians have not.  My experiences in a system which favors the wealthy and multinational businesses inspired me to become a human rights advocate, activist and organizer in the Houston area. I am a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and fully support the DSA platform and DSA values. Before joining my local chapter of the organization, I contributed to the drafting of resolutions for the DSA platform.

I am the daughter of immigrants, the oldest of 7 siblings, and the first American-born child in my family. The sacrifices my parents and grandparents made fueled my run for the U.S. Senate.  I grew up in a migrant working family, and I understand the struggles of people burdened by crushing debt, absence of job security, and lack of healthcare coverage.

In order to prepare for the 2020 U.S. Senate race to unseat Sen. John Cornyn, I am asking for your pledge of support.  If you would like to continue the campaign we began to bring real reform to our government and make it work for the working class, then please let me know with your commitment.

In Solidarity,

Sema Hernandez


Show your support for this campaign by endorsing it and sharing why!

  • endorsed

    “Sema knows that true progress requires that everyone have healthcare and a living wage.”

  • endorsed

    “Sema is Texas' best hope at getting a Progressive politician into office, and reversing the decades of damage done by Senators for Texas like Ted Cruz and John Cornyn. We need to send a message to the Washington Elite that Texas is not a safe bet any longer, and Progressive Populists can and will challenge the status quo.”

  • endorsed

    “I support Sema to stand up for the people ( talking about the proletariat, if your not one the people)”

  • endorsed

    “we need real progressive candidates”

  • endorsed

    “We need to remove all corporate owned Republicans and Democrats from office. #PeopleOverProfit #MedicareForAll #GreenNewDeal #CriminalJusticeReform #FreeCollegeForAll #ProgressivesOnly”

  • endorsed

    “Beto O'Rourke has let me down about bringing a political revolution. Sema has been involved since the beginning, she should be the next U.S. Senator of Texas!”

  • endorsed

    “We need more progressives in Congress ?”

  • endorsed

    “Love her policies and her guts! Gooo, Sema!:)”

  • endorsed

    “I endorse Sema Hernández because of her commitment to a Progressive platform in line with the Democratic Socialists of America. Let's make her the @AOC of the US Senate!!”

  • endorsed

    “The real deal.”

February 26, 2019

Defeat Sen. John Cornyn

SEMA FOR U.S. SENATE TO DEFEAT SEN. JOHN CORNYN

“SEMA HERNANDEZ IS THE ONLY TEXAS DEMOCRAT TO OFFICIALLY

ANNOUNCE HER CANDIDACY FOR THE 2020 RACE FOR U.S. SENATE”

* * * * * IMMEDIATE RELEASE * * * * *

HOUSTON, Texas -- Senate Candidate Sema Hernandez has called on Sen. John Cornyn to retract his quote of deceased fascist Benito Mussolini, which is reflective of Mr. Cornyn’s past support of restricting the rights of individuals.

On February 24, 2019, Sen. Cornyn issued the following quote on Twitter:

“‘We were the first to assert that the more complicated the forms assumed by civilization, the more restricted the freedom of the individual must become.’ Benito Mussolini.”

In 2017, the senator co-sponsored and later voted for a bill to reauthorize a warrantless spying on US citizens as part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He voted numerous times to strip US citizens of their access to healthcare by a repeal of the Affordable Care Act. In recent weeks, Sen. Cornyn called for a coup to overturn the election in Venezuela, disregard the votes of the people of Venezuela, and replace the elected President with a politician who refused to put his name on the ballot.

Ms. Hernandez rejects each of these actions as an obstruction of the rights of sovereign individuals, not unlike the laws Mussolini imposed on Italy during WWII. Mr. Cornyn’s apparent admiration for the fascist Mussolini is an affront to the U.S. Constitution and to the rights of Texans and all who reside in the United States and its Territories.

In September 2018, Sema Hernandez declared her candidacy to challenge Sen. John Cornyn for his Senate seat in the U.S. Congress. Conditions for working Texas families have worsened over the past several decades. A worldwide humanitarian crisis caused by decades of US military intervention, failed regime change, economic sanctions, and trade deals has forced refugees to seek asylum at our borders. It is time for change.

Let's defeat Sen. John Cornyn together!

* * * * * * * * * *

Back to all updates

Show your support for this campaign by endorsing it and sharing why!

  • endorsed

    “Sema knows that true progress requires that everyone have healthcare and a living wage.”

  • endorsed

    “Sema is Texas' best hope at getting a Progressive politician into office, and reversing the decades of damage done by Senators for Texas like Ted Cruz and John Cornyn. We need to send a message to the Washington Elite that Texas is not a safe bet any longer, and Progressive Populists can and will challenge the status quo.”

  • endorsed

    “I support Sema to stand up for the people ( talking about the proletariat, if your not one the people)”

  • endorsed

    “we need real progressive candidates”

  • endorsed

    “We need to remove all corporate owned Republicans and Democrats from office. #PeopleOverProfit #MedicareForAll #GreenNewDeal #CriminalJusticeReform #FreeCollegeForAll #ProgressivesOnly”

  • endorsed

  • endorsed

  • endorsed

    “Beto O'Rourke has let me down about bringing a political revolution. Sema has been involved since the beginning, she should be the next U.S. Senator of Texas!”

  • endorsed

    “We need more progressives in Congress ?”

  • endorsed

    “Love her policies and her guts! Gooo, Sema!:)”

  • endorsed

    “I endorse Sema Hernández because of her commitment to a Progressive platform in line with the Democratic Socialists of America. Let's make her the @AOC of the US Senate!!”

  • endorsed

    “The real deal.”

  • endorsed

    “Sema Hernandez believes that the People are to be represented by the government, not Corporations, profits and kickbacks. She has a Policy base platform that accomplishes economic freedom through a responsible, human rights driven society. No fluff, no platitudes, real issue resolution. #Sema2020”

  • endorsed

    “Simply, she stands up for what I believe.”

  • endorsed

    “Sema is a real progressive who fights every day for the people. She has dedicated herself to helping others, and I’m proud fo call her my friend!”

  • endorsed

    “I support Sema for Texas because she stands with working class Americans and she is inclusive, listens to the needs of Americans, works toward solving problems for all without blaming and lives the struggle.”

  • endorsed

    “I endorse Sema because Sema is the ultimate fighter for the people”

  • endorsed

    “Sema is a true progressive and will work tirelessly for Texans”

  • endorsed

    “I hate our huge military budget. I see homeless people & know we can shelter all of them well if we stop wasting money on the military. We should employ people to build homes not to build weapons & cause destruction in foreign nations. I believe Sema will provide the leadership this country will require to shelter those in need.”

  • endorsed

  • endorsed

    “Sema is a strong Progressive that stands for "We The People" not We The Corporations. We need her in the Senate.”

  • endorsed

    “We need real progressive voices representing us!”

  • endorsed

    “The progressive movement succeeds or America fails.”

  • endorsed