In a significant political shift, the recent redistricting of Texas’ 35th Congressional District has led to the Democratic incumbent, Rep. Greg Casar, seeking a different seat. This change has opened the door for a competitive race, resulting in two Democrats and two Republicans advancing to runoff elections, as no candidate secured the requisite 50% of the vote in the March primaries.
On the Republican front, state Rep. John Lujan faces a tough challenge against Carlos De La Cruz, who has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Lujan aims to leverage his existing voter base in the Texas House to gain an advantage. Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, Johnny Garcia, a deputy sheriff, is promoting himself as a traditional, law-and-order Democrat, emphasizing that his approach is essential to counter a Republican opponent. He will compete against Maureen Galindo, a housing reform activist who, despite raising less than $10,000, outperformed Garcia in the March primary.
The newly drawn district encompasses less than 10% of the previous constituency, now covering portions of San Antonio and extending to Guadalupe, Wilson, and Karnes counties. If these boundaries had been in place during the 2024 elections, Trump would have won the district by approximately 10 points.
Despite the Republican-led redistricting, which has resulted in a Hispanic-majority district, Democrats are focused on preserving their influence. They aim to capitalize on a notable leftward trend among Hispanic voters since Trump’s administration.
Demographic breakdown of the district reveals a population that is 57% Hispanic, 31% white, 9% Black, and 3% Asian. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump received 54.6% of the vote compared to 44.2% for his opponent.
Candidate Profiles
Carlos De La Cruz (Republican)
Campaign finance:
- Total raised: $513,000
- Total spent: $375,000
- Cash on hand: $138,000
Notable support this cycle includes significant contributions from various PACs focusing on AI safety and regulation, as well as endorsements from influential figures such as President Trump.
Experience:
- 20 years in the Air Force with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Opened a kickboxing gym in San Antonio in 2018.
Policy positions emphasize border security, healthcare access, and innovation in artificial intelligence.
John Lujan (Republican)
Campaign finance:
- Total raised: $528,000
- Total spent: $448,000
- Cash on hand: $79,000
Support from long-standing Republican PACs and endorsements from prominent party figures highlight his campaign.
Experience:
- State representative since 2021.
- 25 years of service as a firefighter.
Lujan’s policy stance opposes comprehensive immigration reform and advocates for economic development through support for small businesses.
Maureen Galindo (Democrat)
Campaign finance:
- Total raised: $9,000
- Total spent: $11,000
- Cash on hand: $2,000
Galindo is backed by various local and national Democratic organizations.
Experience:
- Housing justice activist who developed a rental assistance program during the pandemic.
Her policies focus on veterans’ benefits, ending for-profit detention centers, and promoting clean energy.
Johnny Garcia (Democrat)
Campaign finance:
- Total raised: $247,000
- Total spent: $205,000
- Cash on hand: $42,000
Garcia has garnered support from centrist Democratic PACs and influential local leaders.
Experience:
- Public information officer at the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office with a background in law enforcement.
His platform advocates for increased funding for law enforcement and job creation initiatives.
