Turn Up Texas isn’t trying to recreate another partisan institution. We’re building an on-ramp for Texans who may be dissatisfied with the direction of their state but don’t necessarily think of themselves as Democrats or political activists.
Why Now?
For decades, Texas leaders have sold the state as a model of limited government. Whenever there’s a choice between Texans and profit, Texas has built a political system that rewards corporate interests. Policy isn’t judged by how it helps communities, it’s judged by how it benefits donors, developers and corporations.
We want to see the script flipped in Texas.
Government should be judged by whether it makes life better for the people it represents: Are families able to afford a home? Can they rely on the power staying on? Are communities free to solve their own problems? Are public institutions responsive to the people who use them? Is economic growth improving people’s lives, or merely generating impressive numbers on a balance sheet?
What We’re Looking For
We’re a cross-partisan PAC that supports candidates who approach those questions with curiosity, creativity and a genuine interest in governing. That means looking for innovative policy solutions, measuring whether they actually work, and being bold enough to change course when they don’t.
But good policy isn’t enough. The way leaders exercise power matters too. Candidates must respect democratic institutions, free and fair elections, constitutional constraints, and the rule of law — even when those constraints are inconvenient.
We don’t care whether there’s a D, R or I next to their name. We’re interested in how candidates lead, not which team they belong to.
Who We Are
Mark Bauer
Co-founder, Executive Director
Mark Bauer is a journalist, communications strategist, and co-founder of Turn Up Texas, a civic initiative focused on supporting practical leadership and making it easier for Texans to engage in state and local politics.
A native Texan, Mark spent more than a decade working in journalism, communications and digital media, including legal journalism. His work has centered on translating complicated issues into accessible stories and helping people better understand the institutions and decisions that shape their lives.
After living and working around the country, Mark ran as an Independent for Congress in 2020 after becoming increasingly interested in the growing disconnect between Texas politics and the everyday concerns of Texans. He helped launch Turn Up Texas because he believes good government should be measured less by partisan victories and more by whether leaders solve problems, respect democratic institutions and improve the lives of the people they represent.
Katie Martinez
Director of Operations
Katie Martinez is a fifth-generation North Texan who joins Turn Up Texas with more than a decade of experience working and volunteering behind the scenes of Democratic campaigns across the state.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Business from Texas Christian University, an educational foundation that combines sharp communication skills with an eye for the operational and financial realities of running an effective campaign.
At Turn Up Texas, Katie brings her deep Texas roots and years of hands-on campaign experience to help identify and elect candidates — regardless of party — who put integrity, accountability, and their constituents’ daily lives ahead of partisanship.