Former journalist announces Democratic bid for Texas governor

A former public radio journalist in Texas has launched a Democratic gubernatorial campaign, joining a growing field of candidates vying to take on Gov. Greg Abbott (R).

Joy Diaz, who was a reporter with KUT Radio in Austin and hosted the radio show "Texas Standard," said in a video announcing her candidacy that she "left journalism to fulfill a mission - an unshakable dream."

"Texas needs joy," said Diaz, who left public radio last month after almost 20 years. She added she has "a fire in my soul to serve you as the next governor of Texas."

Diaz joins several other Democratic candidates seeking to face off against Abbott. A poll released Thursday showed Abbott holding a 15-point lead over his biggest rival, former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D).

O'Rourke launched his campaign last month after two prior campaigns for higher office: One for U.S. Senate in 2018 and another for the White House in 2020.

Abbott and O'Rourke have the most popularity in their respective parties but will face primary opponents in 2022 before the November general election.

Diaz told the Austin-American Statesman she is focused on defeating Abbott, who was first elected governor in 2015.

"My target has been Greg Abbott. That's where my focus is, that's where my spirit is, that's where my energy will be," she said.

Texas has been in the spotlight for a number of controversial laws passed this year, including a six-week ban on abortion and a law limiting voter registration and ballot access, which critics argue restricts minority voting.

Diaz, however, said in her announcement video that she is focused on three issues: the border, the pandemic and education.

The Mexico-United States border saw a record number of migrants flooding into the U.S. this year. As a child, Diaz said she crossed the border with her father, a missionary. She argued she could bridge the divide between migrants and those who want more restrictive border control.

"People in power describe the border as a crisis," she said. "It just reinforces one thing: that they haven't done their jobs."

Diaz, who served as a public school teacher, also stressed the issue of education, and said she decided to run for governor after she and her son contracted COVID-19 earlier this year.

"I also remember thinking that if I lived - because so many have died - that if I lived, I would live a life of public service," she said in her announcement video. "Our current leadership has forgotten that their mission is to serve us."