A new face is poised to take the place of Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett in representing the Dallas area in the House of Representatives next year. Based on Tuesday’s primary result, that face will be someone very familiar to Crockett and many of the city’s churchgoers.
Frederick Haynes III easily wins the Democratic primary for Texas’s 30th Congressional District
The Rev. Frederick Haynes III won Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Texas’s 30th Congressional District, which includes much of the Dallas area. Attorney Ben Crump posted a video of the results being announced, showing Haynes gaining over 70% of the votes cast in the primary race. “Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III, senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church and President & CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, has won the Democratic primary for Texas’ 30th Congressional District,” Crump said. He lauded the pastor, writing, “A lifelong advocate for civil rights, voting rights, and economic justice, Rev. Haynes has long served the people. We look forward to him continuing to fight for the people and speaking truth to power in Washington.”
Haynes is poised to replace Crockett in Congress, with her blessing
The victory came amid a mix of results for Texas Democrats in Tuesday’s contests. Rep. Crockett, who ended her 30th District reelection campaign to run for the U.S. Senate, lost that race’s Democratic primary to State Rep. James Talarico. Crockett, whom Haynes had endorsed during her Senate run, supported his candidacy to replace her in the House.
“Let me send mad love to my pastor, Pastor Freddie Haynes, who will be the congressman for Texas 30,” Crockett said of Haynes during an Instagram Live session on Tuesday, The Grio reported. Given the district leans heavily Democratic, Crockett’s prediction that Haynes will win November’s general election is likely to come true.
Supported by Democrats, progressives
In addition to being backed by Crockett, Haynes also has the endorsement of Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons. He also has the support of Kirk Johnson, whose mother, Eddie Bernice Johnson, represented the district for 30 years from 1993 to 2023. Haynes is also close to Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, another pastor who entered politics, and Haynes consulted Warnock shortly before entering the race. Haynes is running as a progressive, with a platform that includes providing “quality affordable health care for all” and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Haynes’ positions have garnered endorsements from organizations such as the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, as well as the progressive Justice Democrats. Haynes’ candidacy has also drawn attention to his past statements criticizing Israel and supporting Palestinians, positions that are gaining Haynes criticism from conservatives and support within progressive circles.
Having won Tuesday’s primary, Haynes is now the heavy favorite to win November’s general election, which would send him to Congress to represent the people of Dallas. Such a victory would send Haynes to Washington to follow in the footsteps of people, including his parishioner Crockett and fellow pastor-turned-politician Warnock.
The post Jasmine Crockett’s Pastor Frederick Haynes III Wins Primary To Replace Her In Congress appeared first on Blavity.
