Austin News

Critics say Mike Siegel, a civil rights attorney running for the U.S. House of Representatives, has continued to push his communist agenda after saying several years ago that he was proud to be a "red-diaper baby" — a phrase often used by children of parents affiliated with the United States Communist Party. 

In a 2014 speech honoring his parents, Siegel compared them to Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

"If I had to describe my parents as political figures, I would borrow from the Cuban Revolution, and I would say in our family my mom’s the Che and my dad’s the Fidel," Siegel said. "But, I want to say that I’m here as a proud red diaper baby and also as a proud second-generation National Lawyers Guild member." 

Siegel said he and his parents were a team.

"Some of you may remember when the state took over our local school district in Oakland and we fought for local control and that was when I got to do time with my mom," Siegel said. "Six of us took over the state administrator’s office at the Oakland headquarters and you know we did a few hours in jail and then my dad picked us up and we went to Mexicali Rose. That was a great night."

He noted in the speech that while working with his father, he learned about the 2010 Fruitvale Gang Injunction, which his father help Siegel oppose.

Siegel supports healthcare for all, wants to focus on education and ensure everyone has the right to vote. He also supports the Green New Deal, labor rights expansion, gun reform and housing for all, as well as police reform.

"Right now, our economy and political system is not working for most Americans," Siegel said on his website. "Huge corporations use their money and influence to rig the game to their own advantage. To build a stronger America, a country that truly serves the greater good, we need a movement."

Siegel is running against U.S. House Rep. Michael McCaul (R-West Lake Hills), who recently earned a rating as one of the five most effective members of Congress and the most bipartisan representative. McCaul received more bipartisan cosponsors on the most bills compared to the entire delegation. He was also ranked as the delegate who joined bipartisan bills the third most often.