TX-17 Needs Real Change - Not Platitudes

Bridging the Real Divide: Why J. Gordon Mitchell is the Bipartisan Leader TX-17 Needs

In today’s political climate, the word “bipartisanship” gets tossed around so often that it’s nearly lost its meaning. Incumbent politicians like Pete Sessions are quick to claim the mantle, pointing to token gestures or hollow caucus memberships as proof that they can work “across the aisle.” But voters in Texas’s 17th Congressional District know the difference between empty rhetoric and real leadership.

If we want a future where our government actually gets things done, we need to demand more than slogans and surface-level cooperation. We need candidates who understand what true bipartisanship is—and what it is not. That’s why J. Gordon Mitchell stands out as the best choice to represent TX-17 in Congress.

What Bipartisanship Really Means (and What It Doesn’t)

To understand why J. Gordon Mitchell is the right leader for this moment, it’s important to clarify what true bipartisanship looks like. Real bipartisanship means working with people of differing viewpoints to actually solve problems—not just reaching across the aisle for show. It’s about finding common ground on issues that matter to our communities, while still respecting and defending core civil rights and liberties.

Genuine bipartisanship involves building coalitions that advance policies benefiting everyone, engaging in honest debate, and reaching principled compromises. It requires listening to the concerns of all constituents, upholding dignity, equality, and democracy, and standing firm on non-negotiable moral issues even as we seek areas of agreement.

By contrast, bipartisanship is not about hiring someone who openly opposes your values or putting personal relationships above public trust. It does not mean excusing or overlooking bigotry, misogyny, or hate in the name of “unity,” nor does it involve sacrificing civil rights for the sake of appearances. True bipartisanship never means resorting to nepotism, handing over campaign leadership to those who undermine your platform, or giving power to individuals who deny the very principles of democracy and equality. Waffling on fundamental rights is not compromise—it’s a betrayal of what matters most.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen far too many candidates fall into the traps of the latter—those who claim the bipartisan mantle but fall short when it comes to upholding our deepest values. That’s why strong, principled leadership matters now more than ever.