De La Cruz and Garcia Will Compete in 35th District
Candidates will face off on November 3, 2026, for the Texas congressional seat following district redistricting.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Elections
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Air Force veteran Carlos De La Cruz and public information officer Johnny Garcia are set to compete for the Texas 35th Congressional District seat on November 3, 2026. The race for this open seat follows redistricting efforts that shifted the district boundaries and relocated incumbent Greg Casar to the 37th District.
Why it matters
The redistricting process has fundamentally altered the partisan lean of the 35th District, which would have favored Donald Trump by 54.6% in the 2024 presidential election. This competitive environment positions the district as a critical contest as voters evaluate the candidates' platforms in the wake of significant geographic changes.
A recent poll of 500 likely voters conducted August 27-31 showed Carlos De La Cruz with 45% support and Johnny Garcia with 44% support. This data reflects a dead heat between the two candidates.
The players
Carlos De La Cruz
He is an Air Force veteran running for the Texas 35th Congressional District seat.
Johnny Garcia
He serves as a public information officer for the Bexar County Sheriff.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who has endorsed Carlos De La Cruz.
Greg Casar
He is the incumbent representative who won the 2024 race in the district with 67% of the vote before redistricting.
Brandon Gill
He is an political figure who provided an endorsement for the De La Cruz campaign.
The details
The 35th District encompasses portions of San Antonio along with Bexar, Guadalupe, Wilson, and Karnes counties. Carlos De La Cruz has secured key endorsements from Donald Trump, Brandon Gill, and the National Border Patrol Council as the campaign approaches Election Day.
Timeline
August 27-31, 2026: A poll of 500 likely voters was conducted.
November 3, 2026: Election Day will occur for the 35th District seat.
Political Context
This race follows the structural changes initiated by the Texas redistricting process, which redesigned the 35th Congressional District to favor a different political orientation. Opposition groups have raised concerns regarding the fairness of these new maps and how they impact the representation of urban voters in counties like Bexar.
Residents within the 35th District will see changes to their federal representation as the new district boundaries take full effect. These modifications may influence how local infrastructure funding and federal policy priorities are addressed for voters in Bexar, Guadalupe, Wilson, and Karnes counties.
The takeaway
The race serves as a case study in how redistricting can transform a previously safe incumbent seat into a highly contested battleground. Voters should stay informed on how these new boundaries impact their specific area and congressional representation.
What happens next
The general election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, when voters will officially decide the winner of the congressional seat.
Further reading
Learn more about upcoming races and candidates at Texas Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Signal.
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