Veronica Escobar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Veronica Escobar
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Official portrait, 2019
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| Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 Serving with Dean Phillips (2023), Lori Trahan, and Lauren Underwood
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| Leader | Hakeem Jeffries |
| Preceded by | Debbie Dingell Matt Cartwright Ted Lieu |
| Succeeded by | Maxwell Frost |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 16th district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Beto O'Rourke |
| County Judge of El Paso County | |
| In office January 1, 2011 – October 10, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Anthony Cobos |
| Succeeded by | Ruben Vogt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 15, 1969 El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Michael Pleters |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Texas at El Paso (BA) New York University (MA) |
Veronica Escobar (born September 15, 1969) is an American politician. She serves as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 16th congressional district, which includes El Paso. She has held this position since 2019. Before this, she was a county commissioner and a county judge for El Paso County. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
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Early Life and Education
Veronica Escobar was born in El Paso, Texas, in 1969. She grew up near her family's dairy farm with her parents and four brothers. She attended Loretto Academy and Burges High School. Later, she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She then received a master's degree from New York University.
Starting Her Political Career
Before becoming a politician, Escobar worked for non-profit groups. She also helped Raymond Caballero when he was the mayor of El Paso. After Caballero was not reelected, Escobar and some friends decided to get involved in public service. They wanted to improve city planning and create more skilled jobs. They also aimed to end corruption in city leadership.
In 2006, Escobar was elected as an El Paso County Commissioner. In 2010, she became the El Paso County Judge. Her friends also won their elections. They were known as "The Progressives" because they worked for change. Besides her political work, Escobar taught English and Chicano literature at UTEP and El Paso Community College.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Becoming a Representative
In 2017, Veronica Escobar left her role as county judge. She decided to run for the United States House of Representatives. She wanted to represent Texas's 16th district. This district is mostly Hispanic and usually votes for Democratic candidates. Escobar won the Democratic primary election with 61% of the votes.
In June 2018, Escobar and Beto O'Rourke led protests in Tornillo, Texas. They were protesting a policy that separated immigrant children from their families. The government had set up a "tent-city" in Tornillo to hold these children. Escobar and O'Rourke spoke out against this practice.
On November 6, 2018, Escobar won the general election. She became the first woman to represent the 16th district. She and Sylvia Garcia also became the first Latina congresswomen from Texas.
Key Moments in Her Term
In November 2019, Escobar was chosen by her fellow new members of Congress to be a freshman class representative.
On February 4, 2020, she gave the Spanish-language response to the President's State of the Union Address. She talked about important issues like healthcare, immigration, and gun violence. She also spoke about the 2019 mass shooting in El Paso.
What Committees Does She Serve On?
As a U.S. Representative, Veronica Escobar works on different committees. These groups focus on specific topics.
- Committee on Armed Services: This committee deals with military matters.
- Subcommittee on Military Personnel
- Subcommittee on Readiness
- Committee on the Judiciary: This committee handles laws and justice.
- Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship
Groups She Belongs To
Escobar is also part of several groups in Congress:
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- New Democrat Coalition
Her Political Views
Veronica Escobar often votes in line with the Democratic Party's positions. For example, she voted to support Israel after the 2023 Hamas attack. She has voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress.
Personal Life
Veronica Escobar is married to Michael Pleters. They have two children together.
See also
- List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
