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Ally Raskin, a Dallas mother, speaks during the Republican convention at American Airlines Center, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n
Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Just a few years ago, Ally\u00a0Raskin had little interest in politics. A self-described Democrat, Raskin said she spent more time raising her two children than\u00a0following campaigns.<\/a><\/p>\n Wednesday, the Dallas mother of two took the stage at the Republican Party\u2019s first midterm convention<\/a> to recount her break from the\u00a0Democratic Party and embrace of the Make America Healthy Again movement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Raskin delivered her message in front of a\u00a0dark background with the faces of former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Bernie Sanders and other prominent Democrats.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cAmerica remains the greatest place in the world to build a life, raise a family and pursue the American dream. And that\u2019s why I am here,\u201d Raskin said on stage. \u201cThat’s why I found my political home, my voice, and I am ready to keep fighting for the principles I believe will keep America free and strong.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Mayor Eric Johnson prepares to welcome Trump to Dallas as questions build about the mayor\u2019s future<\/a><\/p>\n Raskin is among a growing number of parents who say the COVID-19 pandemic pushed them toward\u00a0MAHA, a movement championed by Health and Human Services Secretary<\/a> Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u00a0<\/p>\n Its focus has expanded beyond vaccine policy to focus on children\u2019s health, food additives, chronic disease and environmental health. Kennedy is expected to highlight those priorities during his speech Thursday.<\/p>\n Supporters say MAHA reshaping national health policy. Critics argue it has also undermined confidence in established public health institutions.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Turning point<\/p>\n Raskin said her political awakening began during the pandemic, when disagreements over masking, contact tracing and vaccine policies in Dallas schools convinced her the government was overstepping.<\/p>\n \u201cThey took my freedoms away. They took my children\u2019s freedoms away,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Raskin said Trump\u2019s decision to bring Kennedy into his administration cemented her support for the MAHA movement, calling it the \u201cbest day ever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am a free thinker, and I vote for who is going to defend my constitutional rights,\u201d she said. \u201cRight now, that\u2019s the Republican Party.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Ally Raskin, a Dallas mother, speaks during the Republican convention at American Airlines Center, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Raskin said she has followed Kennedy\u2019s work for years and viewed the partnership as a sign the administration would prioritize issues she cares about.\u00a0<\/p>\n Raskin\u2019s activism has expanded beyond local school board issues. She now serves as a Dallas County Republican precinct chair<\/a> and was invited to speak at the convention about her political journey.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey said, \u2018We got your name, and we\u2019ve been vetting you, and we\u2019d like to ask you to speak,\u2019\u201d Raskin said. \u201cI was so honored.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n MAHA promises<\/p>\n Raskin said she believes Republicans have begun delivering on MAHA’s promises, pointing to efforts to phase out synthetic food dyes<\/a>, restore whole milk in schools<\/a> and encourage healthier eating.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n She has noticed more restaurants and manufacturers moving away from seed oils and artificial ingredients, changes she sees as evidence the movement is influencing both government policy and the marketplace.<\/p>\n Raskin said she wants to see more action from the Environmental Protection Agency on issues such as chemical exposure, clean air and drinking water.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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