One of the few contests that will determine the success of the GOP’s 2025 redistricting process is the contest between a President Donald Trump-endorsed candidate and a Democrat nominee who has a strong support base among the state’s congressional candidates in the fall.
In Congressional District ( CD ) 35, Republican candidate Johnny Garcia will face Republican candidate Carlos De La Cruz, brother of U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15 ).
CD 35 was one of the five Texas Republican-controlled towns that were targeted for a mid-decade redistricting change in the summer of 2025. The seat was moved from Austin to a nearby San Antonio, changing it from deep blue to firmly Republican, and is currently being held by U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX-35 ).
According to The Texan’s Texas Partisan Index, the redistricting resulted in a rise in CD 35 from D-77 % to R-55 %.
De La Cruz defeated the former during the major time by state representative John Lujan (R-San Antonio ), who voted in favor of the gerrymandering legislation during the 89th Legislative Conference in February.
De La Cruz puts the Trump support front and center as a self-described” Texas Trump Conservative,” focusing on his two years of service in the U.S. Air Force and his knowledge as a small business owner.
In a recent rally in Texas, both Trump and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04 ) have endorsed De La Cruz in his bid to win the district, which the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC ) has repeatedly referred to as a last-ditch effort by Trump and his cohorts to” save” the redistributed area for the GOP.
Garcia has also attracted the support of his party’s upper echelons, with his inclusion in the DCCC’s Red to Blue program prior to the primary election bolstering his chances for a win in the district’s then generally Republican-run area. With about 64 percent of the vote in their May discharge, he defeated his controversial Democratic primary opponent, sex therapist Maureen Galindo, who the party had rejected for alleged anti-Jewish speech.
This week in Texas, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08 ) is expected to run for office alongside Garcia.
Garcia’s plan messaging to Texas voters has been heavily influenced by his work as a deputy sheriff’s deputy, who claims to have considerable law enforcement experience and to be committed to the safety of San Antonio residents.
Some of the most well-known Democrats in the country, including state representative James Talarico (D-Austin ), former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20 ), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-35 ), and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07 ), are also endorsed by Garcia.
Garcia came out on top with just over$ 985, 000 raised in their most recent campaign finance filings for the October quarter, compared to De La Cruz’s estimated$ 843, 000 raised. Garcia also had the most cash on hand at about$ 510, 000, while De La Cruz had$ 476, 000.
On Monday, October 19, first voting began and will end on Friday, October 30. Election day is November 3, and voting may be held from 7 am to 7 p.m.
