Ep. 40: Convention, Texas Democratic Leadership, and Proud Patriots (Nic Nickens)

We're kicking off a series of episodes with leaders within the Texas Democratic Party infrastructure, hearing what's going on within the party from the inside. Recorded coming off the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi and heading straight into the Fourth of July weekend, this first installment is about reclaiming patriotism as Democratic territory. Kate and Alex sit down with Frederick "Nic" Nickens, chair of the Texas Democratic Veterans Caucus and a leader within the Black Caucus, a 23-year Army veteran who retired as a First Sergeant and Tank Master Gunner. He makes the case that veterans, and the party that champions them, are the ones who actually define what patriotism means, and that Democrats have let the other side write that narrative for too long.Plus: the hosts celebrate 40 episodes of Mission: Texas, Alex heads to Rockwall for a July 4th cookout with his Air Force veteran law school best friend, and Nic shouts out his daughter's birthday and the Texas Democratic Veterans' 24th anniversary as an organization, all landing the same holiday weekend.What we cover: Convention recap from Corpus Christi: the mood in the room, the water concerns that never materialized, and a party lineup built for the big tent How the caucus system works inside the Texas Democratic Party, and what the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) actually does The military oath to the Constitution, not to a party or a person, and why that distinction matters right now Why  72 of 100 veterans in Congress are Republicans  Nic's path from Army private to tank master gunner to first sergeant, and how military leadership training translates directly to political organizing Why Democrats need to define patriotism on their own terms going into 2026 and beyondGuest: Nic Nickens, Chair, Texas Democratic Veterans CaucusWebsites: txdemvets.org | txblackdems.orgAlso mentioned: Texas Black Politics, Texas in ColorLove what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠