WASHINGTON, DC-- National Nurses United, the nation's largest union of registered nurses, today endorsed Veronica Escobar for election to Congress to represent Texas' 16th Congressional District. Escobar, who most recently served as El Paso County Judge, would succeed U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s (D-Texas) as he vacates the seat to challenge Republican Ted Cruz for Senate.

 "Veronica supports nurses and knows firsthand how nurses caring for patients saves lives. She's been an advocate for the nurses at University Medical Center and for nurse-to-patient ratios to guarantee safe quality care for our patients." said Alexandria Schiffert, RN, who works at the UMC Emergency Department. 

"It has been great getting to know Veronica Escobar during her tenure as county judge where she has been a tireless advocate for nursing values," said Luis Velez, RN, who works at the Hospitals of Providence, Memorial Campus Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. "We look forward to having a congresswoman who will stand for caring, compassion and community."

"As a long-time advocate for access to quality healthcare, I am honored to have the support and endorsement of National Nurses United," said Escobar.  "I stand with them in the call for a single payer system that covers all Americans as well as a system that honors nurses -- the men and women who take care of us in our moments of need.  Together, we will work for a system that increases patient safety and creates the best opportunities for nurses to do their jobs," said Escobar.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest growing union of RNs in the nation with over 150,000 members. NNU has advocated for landmark health and safety protections for nurses and patients in the areas of staffing, safe patient handling, infectious disease and workplace violence protection.