Primary Challenger Hits Cornyn on Obamacare, Immigration
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Fred Watkins/ABC News(HOUSTON) — Linda Vega, an immigration lawyer based in Houston, will challenge Texas Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Party primary for his seat.
“I’ve been thinking about this for awhile,” says Vega. “People have been very supportive.”
Vega doesn’t necessarily identify herself as a Tea Party Conservative, but rather as someone who’s keen on finding solutions to America’s problems, primarily on economic issues.
“I’m an American that looks to help this country by focusing on creating economic prosperity and finding solutions to issues like the debt,” Vega told ABC News. “I’m standing up for what is right and good to solve problems.”
Vega opposes the Affordable Care Act and feels that it will hinder economic growth. “Obamacare would be a disaster for Texas families and small businesses,” said Vega. She thinks that many families and individuals could find themselves unemployed and in debt if its implementation continues to go forward.
In a swipe at Cornyn, Vega blamed him for not taking up more of a leadership role in the fight against the health care law.
“Sen. Cruz (R-Texas) showed leadership in filibustering Obamacare,” exclaimed Vega. “Shouldn’t Sen. Cornyn, being the senior senator from Texas, have been the one leading that effort?”
“He’s been there for 12 years, and supporting the junior senator is the best that he’s got?” she questioned.
For his part, Cornyn has introduced or cosponsored 27 bills to repeal or defund the health care law. The two most recent bills of this kind introduced by Cornyn seek to defund the Independent Payment Advisory Board and prohibit the Treasury Secretary from enforcing the Affordable Care Act.
Vega also criticized Cornyn for voting against a bipartisan Senate immigration reform proposal and for “sitting by the waist side” instead of participating in the endeavor.
“I admire Sen. Rubio’s courage for stepping up and proposing something,” said Vega. “We should look at the economic viability of the proposal, because it’s not amnesty — immigration reform is good for the labor force and the economy overall.”
Cornyn’s 2014 campaign manager, Brendan Steinhauser, said in a statement: “As the second-most conservative senator in America, Sen. Cornyn looks forward to discussing his record and welcomes Ms. Vega into the race.”
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