"[Bernie Sanders] will be disastrous for down-ballot races," said Vela of a possible Democrat presidential nomination for the Vermont senator. "From sheriff to school board to mayor, all the way up to the U.S. Senate and the House, he will be absolutely disastrous for down-ballot Democratic races."

Vela continued, "We cannot let this man be the nominee of the Democratic Party," adding, "It would be like giving Donald Trump a gift with a bow on it, and Republicans would be jumping up and down if Bernie Sanders was the nominee because they know, as we say in Texas, you can just open up a can of whoop-ass."