Both Parties Pick Nominees In Newly Redrawn Texas 35th Congressional District
Democrat Johnny Garcia won the primary in Texas' newly redrawn 35th Congressional District on Wednesday after national Democratic leaders intervened to boost his campaign.[1]
Republican Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran endorsed by former President Donald Trump, was projected to win the GOP runoff in the same district on Tuesday.[2]
Garcia is a sheriff's deputy and was described as the "preferred candidate" of Democratic leaders.[3] Democrats mobilized after Maureen Galindo's repeated antisemitic remarks drew public condemnation from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other party figures.[1] House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene also publicly urged voters against Galindo.[1]
Texas Republicans redrew the 35th District in 2025 to favor the GOP, creating a map that stretches south to San Antonio and mixes parts of the city with suburban and rural counties.[3] The district is majority Hispanic and roughly one-third white, making it a focal battleground as Democrats try to hold or flip the seat.[3] Republicans pushed into the GOP contest as well; De La Cruz drew backing from House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Monica De La Cruz.[2]
Early coverage highlighted how the redrawn map made the seat significantly more Republican.[3] Later reporting shifted to focus on Democratic leaders' interventions to stop Galindo's nomination and preserve a more electable candidate.[1] Democrats say Garcia's victory keeps alive their chances in the general election, citing factors such as falling Trump approval among some Hispanic voters as part of that calculus.[3]
Show source details & analysis (4 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, national Democratic leaders intervened to help Johnny Garcia win the Democratic primary in Texas' 35th Congressional District, according to PBS NewsHour (Johnny Garcia).
- Johnny Garcia is a sheriff's deputy and was described as the "preferred candidate" of Democratic leaders in reporting by The New York Times (Johnny Garcia).
- Maureen Galindo repeatedly expressed antisemitic views, drawing public condemnation from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other Democrats who urged voters against her nomination (PBS NewsHour: Maureen Galindo).
- A new Republican-linked super PAC called Lead Left funded mailers that boosted Maureen Galindo and attacked Johnny Garcia, prompting House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to accuse Republicans of meddling, per The New York Times (Lead Left).
- On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran endorsed by former President Donald Trump, was projected to win the Republican runoff in the newly redrawn Texas 35th, defeating longtime state lawmaker John Lujan (Fox News: Carlos De La Cruz).
- Carlos De La Cruz also had the backing of House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Monica De La Cruz, signaling strong national Republican support in the race (Fox News: Mike Johnson).
- Texas Republicans redrew the 35th District in 2025 to favor a Republican; the new TX-35 stretches south to San Antonio and includes parts of the city plus suburban and rural counties, and is majority Hispanic with about one-third white residents (The New York Times: 35th District).
- Democrats view Garcia's primary victory as preserving their chance to hold or flip the redrawn seat, citing factors such as falling Trump approval among Hispanic voters over high prices as part of that political calculus (The New York Times: Garcia's primary win).
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Associated Press reporting noted that national Democratic leaders intervened to help Johnny Garcia win the Democratic primary in Texas' 35th Congressional District over Maureen Galindo.
- The article highlights that Maureen Galindo had repeatedly expressed antisemitic views, prompting concern among Democratic leaders that her nomination would damage the party; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called Galindo's comments "disgusting" and said they should not be near U.S. politics.
- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene also publicly weighed in against Galindo ahead of the primary.
- The piece reiterates that Republicans redrew the 35th District to favor the GOP but notes Democrats believe they still may be able to flip the seat, and that stopping Galindo's nomination was seen as important to preserving that chance.
- On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran endorsed by President Donald Trump, was projected to win the Republican runoff in Texas' newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, defeating longtime San Antonio state lawmaker John Lujan.
- The new TX-35 district, numerically now held by "Squad" member Rep. Gregorio Casar, was redrawn so that Casar chose to run in an adjacent district after Rep. Lloyd Doggett declined to seek reelection under the new map.
- The redrawn TX-35 now stretches south to San Antonio and is considered significantly more Trump-friendly than in past elections, and Carlos De La Cruz also has the backing of House Speaker Mike Johnson and his sister, Rep. Monica De La Cruz.
- The New York Times confirms on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, that Johnny Garcia is a sheriff's deputy and the 'preferred candidate' of Democratic leaders in Washington.
- The article specifies that the 35th District was redrawn by Texas Republicans in 2025 to favor a Republican and details its composition: parts of San Antonio plus suburban and rural counties, majority Hispanic with about one-third white residents.
- It reports that a new Republican-linked super PAC called Lead Left funded mailers boosting Maureen Galindo and attacking Garcia, prompting Hakeem Jeffries to accuse Republicans of meddling.
- The piece adds that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez publicly condemned Galindo's comments as 'bigoted garbage' and explicitly urged voters to support Garcia.
- The Times notes Democrats view Garcia's win as keeping alive hopes of holding the seat despite redistricting, citing Trump's falling approval among Hispanic voters over high prices as part of that political calculus.