A group of Texas Democrats rallying on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was forced to cancel a campaign event after Trump supporters allegedly created unsafe driving conditions.
The group of Biden backers included Wendy Davis, who is running against incumbent Republican Chip Roy for the 21st Congressional District; Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who represents the 35th District; and Roland Gutierrez, a candidate for Texas Senate District 19. They were forced to cancel a rally and other events on Friday after their bus was swarmed by vehicles promoting President Trump while on the highway.
Sheryl Cole, a Democrat running for reelection to the Austin City Council, said on social media that the event was canceled because the Trump supporters “escalated” the situation “well beyond safe limits.” The New Braunfels Trump Train posted a video on YouTube of one instance in which the Trump train tailed the Biden-Harris bus.
“This is a 1st for me — but we just cancelled a joint event in Pflugerville [with Joe Biden] campaign, [Austin Young Democrats], & more, due to security reasons. Unfortunately, Pro-Trump Protestors have escalated well beyond safe limits,” she explained. “Sorry to all who looked forward to this fun event.”
Katie Naranjo, the head of the Democratic Party of Travis County, claimed that one of the Trump supporters hit another car. Neither she nor the Biden campaign responded to a request for comment. Rafael Anchia, a member of the Texas House of Representatives, also claimed that the pro-Trump provocateurs had been carrying weapons.
“Armed Trump trolls harassing Biden Bus on I-35, ramming volunteer vehicles & blocking traffic for 40 mins,” he said, before accusing Eric Trump of inciting “violence.”
Gloria Meehan, the head of the Comal County Democratic Party, told the Canyon Lake, a local newspaper, that the New Braunfels Trump Train is ruining Comal County’s reputation as a great place to live.
“Frankly, I feel sorry for those involved with the Trump Train that they have nothing worthwhile to do but drive around aimlessly, harassing and intimidating,” she said. “Why? Nothing good comes of idleness and bad intentions. They’re rudderless, adrift, lost in a sea of discontent. It’s unsustainable, and behavior like this strikes at the heart of our community and is driving our economy into the ground as folks no longer feel safe coming to New Braunfels and will take their tourist dollars elsewhere. The word is Comal County, for all its beauty, is dangerous and unwelcoming.”
The Biden campaign has spent time in Texas a week before Election Day, as it is hoping to turn the traditionally conservative state blue.
