By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews.com
MURPHY — Democratic congressional candidate Evan Hunt and State Rep. Gene Wu (D–Houston) headlined a Saturday “No Hate Town Hall” in Murphy, where speakers urged residents to stay engaged ahead of primary season and addressed topics ranging from anti-Asian hate and civil rights to healthcare and voting access.
Organizers with the North Texas Asian Democrats opened the event by describing it as a community-focused gathering aimed at protecting Asian American residents and encouraging turnout. The town hall was part of a broader collaboration that included Asian Texans for Justice Action Fund, which organizers described as a major partner in the effort. Pastor Irving Barrett delivered an invocation and told attendees, “Hate has no place in our neighborhoods, our schools, our workplaces, our public spaces, or our politics.”
Hunt: “A rising wave of hate”
Hunt, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran running for Congress in Texas’ 3rd District, framed his remarks around what he called “a rising wave of hate in this country.”
“Not disagreement, not debate, but hate,” Hunt said. He described it as “shape-shifting hate” that “calls itself patriotism,” “cloaks itself in religion,” and “pretends to be law and order.”
“Hate thrives on intimidation,” Hunt said, listing “guns, masks, violence, lawsuits, [and] a justice system turned into a weapon.” He warned that “when hate goes unchecked, it gives birth to extremism,” and referenced his military background: “I went to war against extremists in the Middle East. I do not fear Muslims… I do not fear Asians, but I do fear extremists.”
Hunt told the crowd that hate is now “legitimized by our leaders,” “written into policy,” and “enforced in our streets.” He urged attendees to stay involved, calling for people to “volunteer,” “have the hard conversations,” and participate in civic life. “The time for silence is over,” Hunt said.
Wu: “Hate is the weapon”
Wu, who represents Texas House District 137, described hate as a political tool used to divide people and prevent cooperation across communities.
“Hate is not the end goal,” Wu told the audience. “Hate is the weapon.”
He argued that people across different backgrounds face many of the same pressures. “We all one day turn around and see whose boot is on our neck,” Wu said. “Whether we’re black, white, Asian, Latino, whether you’re Muslim, or Jew, or nothing at all… you realize that it’s the same damn boot.”
Immigration, healthcare, and redistricting
During the Q&A, immigration and cultural inclusion were raised as part of a broader discussion about belonging and safety.
Wu said, “America is better with immigration than it is… without it,” adding, “Immigrants make us better because immigrants are Americans and Americans are immigrants, period.”
Hunt also framed immigration as a long-standing national strength. “We welcome everybody in, regardless of color, regardless of religion,” he said. “Those other cultures bring their work ethic… their food, their music… and they enrich our culture.”
Healthcare was another major focus, with speakers addressing affordability and access.
“Nobody should be one medical emergency or a cancer diagnosis away from bankruptcy,” Hunt said, adding he would vote to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. Hunt referenced a constituent he identified as “Jesse,” describing him as a “22-year-old cancer survivor,” and said ACA subsidies were currently helping him access care.
Wu criticized insurance delays and denials and said broader reforms are needed. “How does every other 1st world country… figure this out but us?” Wu asked, adding, “We need… universal health care.”
Speakers also criticized mid-cycle partisan redistricting, arguing it impacts representation.
“My commitment to you is, if I get elected, I will sponsor a bill to outlaw all mid-cycle partisan redistricting,” Hunt said. Wu described the issue as “a naked power grab.”
Some conservative lawmakers and activists have argued that proposals aimed at restricting or banning the use of religious legal frameworks in U.S. courts are needed to protect constitutional rights and prevent foreign legal doctrines from influencing American law. Critics of those proposals, including speakers at the Murphy town hall, said such efforts can stigmatize Muslim communities and conflict with First Amendment protections for religious practice, particularly when applied broadly to personal faith or voluntary religious mediation.
Clinton: turnout and margins
Justice Tina Clinton, who serves on the 5th District Court of Appeals, closed with a turnout-focused message and told attendees that small margins can decide major races.
“I won by 1,596 votes,” Clinton said, urging the audience to treat voting as a community activity. “Voting is a social event,” she said.
Organizers ended by encouraging residents to prepare for upcoming elections and remain involved as primary voting approaches.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated (1/20/26) to recognize Asian Texans for Justice Action Fund as a major collaborating organization involved in the Murphy No Hate Town Hall.