Former Vice President Joe Biden has selected veteran Dallas consultant Jane Hamilton to lead his campaign’s effort to win the Texas presidential primary.
The move comes as Biden scored the endorsement of state Sen. Beverly Powell of Fort Worth, signaling his strength in a region critical for the March primary showdown. He is relying heavily on North Texas to help him win the lion’s share of Texas’ 262 delegates.
Hamilton managed the coordinated campaign that led to the Democratic takeover of Dallas County politics in 2006 that included the election of numerous Democratic Party judicial candidates and Craig Watkins as district attorney. After managing Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins’ successful 2010 campaign for county judge, Hamilton steered Fort Worth Democrat Marc Veasey to victory in several congressional races. She also served as his chief of staff.
Veasey endorsed Biden last week.
“What we know right now is that Biden is the most electable candidate in the field, period,” Hamilton told The Dallas Morning News. “There’s nothing more important than working on this campaign and helping secure the nomination for Joe Biden.”
Hamilton said that Biden was the strongest candidate on the issues of health care and education and that he’ll have the coattails to help other Democratic candidates on the Texas general election ballot. Texas Democrats are looking to make gains in the state’s congressional delegation and take control of the state House.
“Texas is in play,” Hamilton said. “Biden is the candidate and nominee that we need at the top of the ticket.”
Powell was elected to the Senate in 2018, one of two pickups for Democrats that year. The other, Sen. Nathan Johnson of Dallas, has also backed Biden.
Powell said she liked the former vice president’s positions on education.
“He’s the person to support our teachers and address the needs in public education,” Powell said. “Joe Biden will restore trust in America.”
She also said Biden is the ideal candidate to beat President Donald Trump.
“We need a leader in the race who is going to lead,” Powell said. “People are ready for common-sense leadership, and that’s what Biden brings to the table.”
Biden tops most Texas polls, though former Housing Secretary and San Antonio mayor Julian Castro has said he will win his home state.
Other Biden supporters include Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, former Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings and state Rep. Victoria Neave of Dallas.
