Texas Democratic Senate candidate says she does not support Green New Deal

Democratic Texas Senate candidate M.J. Hegar explained her opposition to the Green New Deal at a party luncheon Wednesday.

Hegar said climate change was an existential threat to her children and said “aggressive action” was needed.

But Hegar said she did not support policies like the Green New Deal, which has been championed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezClimate protesters glue themselves to Capitol doors, confront lawmakers Overnight Energy: House Democrats offer rival to Green New Deal | Zinke clients include industries he regulated | Oil companies dealt blow in Rhode Island climate lawsuit Gingrich: Trump more interested in fighting Democrats than on ‘any particular bill’ MORE (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ed MarkeyEdward (Ed) John MarkeyOvernight Defense: Esper sworn in as Pentagon chief | Confirmed in 90-8 vote | Takes helm as Trump juggles foreign policy challenges | Senators meet with woman accusing defense nominee of sexual assault Hillicon Valley: Trump seeks review of Pentagon cloud-computing contract | FTC weighs updating kids’ internet privacy rules | Schumer calls for FaceApp probe | Report says states need more money to secure elections Poll: McConnell is most unpopular senator MORE (D-Mass.)

“I feel like so often we are attaching so many things to the key thing that we’re trying to accomplish that it politicizes it and makes it if you disagree with it, you’re a climate change denier, or if you agree with it, then you’re a socialist,” she told a questioner in the event audience.

“And it’s just so much oversimplification and talking point nonsense and finger-pointing,” she added, saying that she often felt like she was “washing the windows on a bus going off the cliff.”

Audience member asks @MJHegar if she supports AOC-Markey Green New Deal. Hegar says climate change is biggest threat to her kids and calls for “aggressive action.” But: “I don’t support the type of policies like the Green New Deal.” More: pic.twitter.com/A84xxywlJ9

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) July 24, 2019

Hegar, an Air Force veteran who narrowly lost to Rep. John CarterJohn Rice CarterPopulation shifts set up huge House battleground GOP frets about Trump’s poll numbers The Hill’s Morning Report – Democrats wonder: Can Nadler handle the Trump probe? MORE (R-Texas), announced in April she would challenge Sen. John CornynJohn CornynGOP pushback puts Trump judicial nominee at risk Bipartisan senators introduce bill to challenge new EPA policy and Supreme Court ruling on FOIA Grassley gambles on drug price bill despite GOP doubts MORE (R-Texas) in 2020.

The sweeping environmental proposal has been a point of contention between the party’s centrist and progressive flanks, with House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiWarren presses Pelosi on impeachment: ‘Some things are above politics’ Mueller Day: What to watch for On The Money: Trump sues to block release of NY state tax returns | Conservatives erupt in outrage against budget deal | White House defends deal amid backlash from allies | Deal’s winners, losers MORE (D-Calif.) dismissing it as “the Green Dream” earlier this year and Sen. Dianne FeinsteinDianne Emiel FeinsteinBipartisan senators introduce bill to challenge new EPA policy and Supreme Court ruling on FOIA Overnight Energy: Senators push back on EPA’s new FOIA rule | Agency digs in on rule change | Watchdog expands ethics probe of former EPA air chief Bipartisan senators fight ‘political considerations’ in EPA’s new FOIA rule MORE (D-Calif.) rebuking young activists who asked her to support the measure.