Carlos De La CruzCandidate

Carlos De La Cruz

U.S. HouseRepublican

TX-35 U.S. House

Mexican-American·U.S. Air Force veteran (20 years, retired)

Why This Race Matters

Carlos De La Cruz is running against GOP Primary: Joshua Cortez (8th-gen Texan, rancher, former Monica De La Cruz staffer), John Lujan (State Rep, firefighter), Steven Wright (2024 nominee, deputy sheriff), and 8 others | Dem Primary: Johnny Garcia (Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy, SWAT negotiator), Maureen Galindo, John Lira (Marine veteran), Whitney Masterson-Moyes.

TX-35 was redrawn in 2025 mid-decade redistricting to transform Rep. Greg Casar's D+30 district into a Republican-leaning seat (Trump +10 under new lines). One of five blue seats dismantled by Texas GOP at Trump's request. Despite gerrymandering, DCCC added TX-35 to "Districts in Play" believing Democrats can win with right candidate and turnout. Cook/Inside Elections/Sabato all rate it Likely Republican, but Trump would have only won by <2 points in 2020 under new lines.

Crowded 11-candidate GOP primary with three frontrunners: De La Cruz (name recognition via sister, veteran), Cortez (8th-gen Texan, Harvard Kennedy School), and Lujan (sitting State Rep). De La Cruz positions himself as Trump's "wingman in Congress." District anchored in San Antonio's South Side, hooks around city into Republican-leaning Guadalupe, Wilson, and Karnes counties. Identified as battleground primary by Ballotpedia).

Key dates to watch: Primary on March 3, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Carlos De La Cruz is a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran running to represent Texas' newly redrawn 35th Congressional District. During his military career, he deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the U.S.-Mexico border before retiring honorably. After his service, he and his wife founded a kickboxing gym in San Antonio that mentored local youth, and he later founded an IT company that has grown to over 550 employees. The brother of U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15), he is running as a Trump-aligned conservative outsider in his first bid for public office.

Family & Heritage

Mexican-American heritage with deep South Texas roots. His grandmother immigrated to the United States as a child to flee political injustice in Mexico. His grandfather was a first-generation American who served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Raised in Brownsville by their single mother, Norma. The family has roots as Mexican farm workers who picked melons in fields across South Texas. Brother of U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15). Married with children; his wife partnered with him to build their kickboxing gym.

Political Career

Before Politics

U.S. Air Force (20 years, retired) with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and U.S.-Mexico border; Kickboxing gym founder and operator (San Antonio); IT company founder (550+ employees)

Education

U.S. Air Force training and education

Awards & Recognition

20-year U.S. Air Force veteran with honorable retirement; Multiple combat deployments

Key Issues & Priorities

*Border security
*Fighting "woke" policies and stopping radicalization of youth
*Strengthening the economy for working families
*Veterans issues and care
*Public safety and supporting law enforcement
*Agricultural support
*Energy independence
*Protecting Social Security and Medicare

Endorsements

Rep. Monica De La Cruz (sister)Political

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