Council’s Summer 2026 Meeting in Austin, TX

DNC Members, Texas Democrats and environmental leaders from across the country gathered at the Council's Summer Meeting in Austin, an official event of the DNC's Summer Convention.

DNC Members, Texas Democrats and environmental leaders gathered for the Summer Meeting in Austin.

Chair Michelle Deatrick opened with the argument that ran through the afternoon: "This is not a coincidence. This is not two separate fights. This is one fight — the fight for a country where working people can afford their lives. And that means we cannot let anyone tell us to choose between talking about the economy and talking about climate. They are the same conversation. And everywhere I go, the people get it."

Mayor Elida Castillo of Taft, Program Director for Chispa Texas, and Daniel Ayala, President of Texas Environmental Democrats and newly elected Vice Chair for Finance of the Texas Democratic Party, spoke on water, growth and environmental justice in their corners of the state — from the fight that defeated the Las Brisas Energy Center on the Coastal Bend to San Marcos's move to become the first city in Texas to ban data centers outright. 

Congressman Lloyd Doggett followed with remarks drawing on one of the strongest environmental voting records in the House.

Ryan O'Donnell, Executive Director of Data for Progress, presented polling on climate, data centers and energy affordability.

Ryan O'Donnell, Executive Director of Data for Progress, presented new polling showing support for local AI data centers swinging from +25 to -22 in about a year — a shift that crosses party lines.

Andre Treiber, Chair of the DNC Youth Council, and Clara Pratte, Chair of the DNC Native Caucus and the Democratic nominee for the Arizona Corporation Commission, closed out the panels making the case for down-ballot races that decide who regulates utilities and data centers.

The Council recognized the work of the Climate Integrity Project, which backed Resolution 21 — submitted by Tennessee Democratic Party Vice Chair Nathan Higdon and headed to a vote at the DNC's general assembly — to preserve communities' access to the courts to hold Big Oil and Gas accountable for extreme weather costs. Chair Deatrick thanked California DNC Member David Atkin for Resolution 22, reaffirming America's commitment to climate action and global climate cooperation, and supporting the Council's work.

The meeting closed with the Council's traditional group photo and a commitment to build on the momentum so far this year — 45 events across 15 states, 5 phone banks, and an ongoing listening tour.