Stepping Up Con Ganas

The story of how a grassroots family in the RGV grew into a force for democracy.

@theriograndecurrent1We are one movement— shaped by time, evolving, shifting, wearing new colors, building new circles. Yet beneath every change, we remain one and the same. @STGC @LoneStarLeft @Blanca Gómez @M4D & MothersAgainstGregAbbott

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I started this Substack because I believe our stories, our struggles, and our victories in South Texas deserve to be told by us—not filtered through compromised media owned by outside interests. What began as local organizing has grown into a movement, one built on connection, courage, and the belief that everyday people can spark real change. This is my story of how it started, where it’s taken us, and why the work is only just beginning.

I started this Substack newsletter because I felt there was a need for news rooted in local voices. Too often, TV and newspapers feel compromised—owned or influenced by MAGA interests. Radio isn’t much better. Billionaire oil-rich dark money has infiltrated our democratic spaces through television, print, radio, and social media. It’s no secret that MAGA paid influencers to shape public opinion about Trump.

Here in the RGV, they went all out with Spanish-language literature, small community papers, and nonstop campaigning through groups like the LIBRE Initiative. I’ve written about their misleading tactics, especially how they target poor voters in colonias by disguising political propaganda as “social services.”

At the same time, I found myself stepping deeper into grassroots organizing. Many of you know that I led a local grassroots group that grew stronger and more effective over time—thanks in large part to its amazing new leadership. Along the way, I worked with coalitions to organize protests and vigils, and I began speaking publicly about the challenges we face and the power we have when we come together.

With Substack, I wanted to take that a step further—adding podcasts to my essays so we can continue to share stories, strategies, and hope. None of this would have been possible had I not first taken on the role of leading that grassroots Facebook group. It was a leap of faith, but one that changed my life.

At the root of this journey is Nancy Thompson, the founder of Mothers Against Greg Abbott. I still remember when her videos first went viral back in 2018. I reached out on social media, and to my surprise—she responded. In 2022, I joined the RGV chapter as a member. By mid-2023, I was serving as chapter leader. When I started, the group had around 200 members, most of whom I’d never met. By the time I stepped down, we were over 1,100 strong.

That growth didn’t happen by accident—it was a true team effort. We phone banked, block walked, wrote postcards, and so much more. Consolidating such a large group of volunteers in the RGV is an accomplishment few can claim, and it’s something I’ll always be proud of.

But more than the work, what we were building was a movement. A movement that was recognized across the region. A movement driven by one goal: to elect Democrats. While we fell short at the top of the ticket—the county went red for the orange dictator wannabe—I don’t see it as a failure. We were just getting started. Today, we’re on solid ground. We’re not a “baby grassroots organization” anymore. We have a record of hard work, and no one can take that away.

What excites me most is the way this work has inspired others. We’ve not only sparked a new generation of activists but also planted the seeds for a second wave of leaders.

This month, I attended the RISE Summit in Austin, hosted by Mothers Against Greg Abbott. Joining me was Sara Barrera, who went from being a Facebook follower—not even a “keyboard warrior”—to a grassroots organizer and leader. She told me she finally got involved after reading my posts encouraging people to take action. That’s how momentum spreads—from one person to the next.

Another friend, Elvira Cruz, came up to me at the John Lewis event in McAllen back in June and said, “I got involved because of you.” During the last election cycle, she was one of the hardest working canvassers. And like her there were many, many more who helped canvass our RGV. Stories like these remind me why we do this work.

I wish I could name everyone, but if I did, I’d be here all day. If you were there, please know how deeply grateful I am for every single one of you. At my last meeting as chapter leader, I met people in person for the very first time who had come simply to show their support. Many of us now talk even more than before. That’s what community looks like.

We are all connected—and we must keep building those connections. In another piece, I wrote about the importance of moving beyond chat rooms and gathering in person. There’s something about human connection, face-to-face, that no online space can replace.

That’s why I was so excited for the RISE Summit. Nancy Thompson—the one who first lit the spark—was the organizer. Her vision and leadership brought so many of us together. Nancy, you created a movement that changed my life. I will always support you because of all I’ve learned through your work. Wherever you go, whatever you do, I wish you the best.

Because of you, and because of all of us, the movement grows.