Texas Candidates Reside Outside 35th District

Both congressional hopefuls currently live outside the borders of the district they aim to represent in the House.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Elections

Texas Candidates Reside Outside 35th District

Live Poll

Should congressional candidates be legally required to reside in the districts they seek to represent?

Republican Carlos De La Cruz and Democrat Johnny Garcia are running for the Texas 35th Congressional District seat despite residing elsewhere. While both candidates have expressed intentions to move into the district if elected, they are not legally required to live there to serve.

Why it matters

The boundary map in question, which was redrawn by the Texas Legislature in 2015, aims to flip five Democratic congressional seats. This situation highlights ongoing discussions regarding congressional residency and representation following the map adjustments.

Official records show Carlos De La Cruz is registered in the 21st Congressional District, while Johnny Garcia rents an apartment in the 20th Congressional District. U.S. House members are not legally required to reside in the districts they represent.

The players

Carlos De La Cruz

He is the Republican nominee for the 35th Congressional District and is currently registered to vote in the 21st Congressional District.

Johnny Garcia

He is the Democratic nominee for the 35th Congressional District and currently resides in an apartment within the 20th Congressional District.

Donald Trump

As the President of the United States, he requested the Texas Legislature to redraw the state's congressional map.

The details

The Texas Legislature redrew the congressional map in 2015 at the request of President Donald Trump. While residency outside of one's district is permitted, both candidates have publicly stated their intent to relocate to the 35th District following a victory on November 3.

2015: The Texas Legislature redrew the state congressional map.
2017: A study identified 20 U.S. House members residing outside their districts.
May 26: Johnny Garcia won the Democratic runoff election.
November 3: The date scheduled for the midterm election.
January: The redrawn congressional map officially takes effect.

Political Context

Critics of the current residency trends point to the disconnect between representatives and their local constituencies as a flaw in the democratic process. Advocacy groups frequently argue that officials should reside in the areas they serve to better understand the needs of their voters.

Voters in the 35th Congressional District will decide between two candidates who live outside current district lines, potentially impacting local representation priorities. Residents should be aware that the redrawn map may alter which services and federal representatives oversee their specific neighborhoods starting in January.

The takeaway

While federal law permits members of Congress to live outside their districts, this situation underscores the tension between legal requirements and voter expectations for local representation. Prospective voters should evaluate how a candidate's current residence might influence their focus on district-specific issues.