On Tuesday, voters in Texas’ newly drawn 35th Congressional District will participate in primaries to select both Democratic and Republican candidates for the San Antonio-area seat, which has been redistricted to favor the GOP.
The primaries feature a total of 11 Republican candidates and four Democrats, both of which could lead to runoff elections in May if no candidate secures a majority of the votes. The district’s current representative, Democrat Greg Casar, has been removed from the 35th District and is now seeking election in the heavily Democratic 37th District.
The reconfigured boundaries of the 35th District now encompass less than 10% of its previous constituency, extending into parts of San Antonio and surrounding areas in Bexar, Guadalupe, Wilson, and Karnes counties. If these new boundaries had been in place during the 2024 election, Donald Trump would have won the district by approximately 10 points. However, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report estimates a four-point advantage for congressional Republicans. Democrats are focusing on overcoming the GOP’s redistricting efforts, hopeful of capitalizing on a shift among Hispanic voters toward the left since Trump’s presidency began.
On the Republican side, a crucial moment occurred when Trump endorsed Air Force veteran Carlos De La Cruz just before early voting commenced. This endorsement often provides a significant boost to GOP candidates in Texas primaries.
De La Cruz’s main competitor is state Rep. John Lujan, a Republican from San Antonio who believes his name recognition among voters from his overlapping Texas House district will help him surpass the impact of Trump’s endorsement.
Other prominent candidates include former congressional aide Josh Cortez, Navy veteran Jay Furman, and entrepreneur Ryan Krause, all of whom have raised substantial campaign funds and possess diverse political backgrounds. Furman, the 2024 nominee for the 28th Congressional District, narrowly lost to incumbent Rep. Henry Cuellar, while Krause has previously run unsuccessfully in the GOP primaries for the 15th District.
Trump’s endorsement of De La Cruz is particularly noteworthy given the seat’s creation was prompted by Republican lawmakers, including Lujan, at the president’s behest. Lujan was re-elected to the Texas House in 2021 after flipping a seat that had long been held by Democrats, representing parts of Bexar County that align with the new congressional district.
He has garnered endorsements from notable figures, including Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey, along with support from various legislative colleagues. Prior to his political career, Lujan spent 25 years as a firefighter and served as a deputy with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department.
During a campaign rally, Abbott highlighted Lujan as the only Republican capable of winning the House race, pointing out his own unsuccessful bid in the district during his gubernatorial campaign.
In a recent Republican candidate forum, Lujan emphasized his previous electoral success as a key asset that positions him as the most qualified candidate to compete against a Democrat in the general election. He expressed a commitment to bipartisan collaboration while cautioning against the extremes within both parties.
De La Cruz, a small business owner and former Air Force member, presents himself as a political outsider eager to support Trump’s agenda in Congress. His campaign has garnered endorsements from House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Texas congressional members.
De La Cruz’s familial connection to the district is strengthened by his sister, Monica De La Cruz, who is seeking reelection in the 15th District, which overlaps with parts of the newly drawn 35th District.
In a statement, De La Cruz highlighted his military service as a distinguishing factor from his opponents, prioritizing issues such as border security, support for law enforcement and veterans, and reducing burdensome regulations on businesses.
Cortez, who has experience working in congressional offices and as a veterans liaison, argues that his rural Texas upbringing and legislative background set him apart. He aims to address the state’s water crisis and safeguard local energy and agriculture from federal interference.
Fundraising efforts in this district have not matched the heights seen in other Texas congressional races, where some candidates have raised over $1 million. As of February 11, Furman led the fundraising race with approximately $396,000, followed closely by Lujan with around $370,000. De La Cruz, Cortez, and Krause each reported at least $230,000 in campaign contributions.
Overall, Republican candidates are outpacing Democrats in fundraising, indicating potential voter sentiment, according to political science experts.
Several candidates have previously run for Congress, including Vanessa Hicks-Callaway, who lost primaries for the Texas House in 2020 and 2024, Rod Lingsch, who received 10% of the vote in the 2024 primary for District 35, and Steven Wright, the nominee in that year who lost to Casar.
Furman, during a candidate forum, described the current state of the U.S. border as the worst he has experienced, advocating for strict immigration measures and opposing the restoration of Affordable Care Act subsidies.
In the Democratic primary, Marine Corps veteran John Lira and Bexar County sheriff’s deputy Johnny Garcia are emerging as leading candidates, competing against Maureen Galindo and Whitney Masterson-Moyes.
Despite the redistricting favoring Republicans, some Democratic leaders believe the seat remains within reach. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has listed the 35th District as one of its targeted districts, signaling a commitment to support the chosen nominee in November.
Katherine Fischer, executive director of Texas Majority PAC, indicated that discontent with the Trump administration could negatively impact Republican candidates, especially if there is a return to Democratic support among Latino voters, who represent a significant portion of the district’s electorate.
Garcia expressed optimism about the district’s potential, emphasizing his focus on affordability and public safety as key campaign issues.
Garcia, who has extensive experience with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, highlighted his background in labor and construction as factors that enhance his candidacy, securing endorsements from various labor organizations.
Lira emphasized his policy experience and deep community ties as key advantages over other candidates, citing his previous campaign in a Republican-leaning district. He has received endorsements from several organizations advocating for progressive causes.
Both candidates agree that a strong Democratic turnout could shift the dynamics of the election in their favor, allowing them to challenge the Republican advantage established by the redistricting.
