Johnny Garcia is running against Democratic primary: Maureen Galindo, John Lira (Marine veteran), Whitney Masterson-Moyes. Republican frontrunners: Carlos De La Cruz (Air Force veteran, brother of Rep. Monica De La Cruz), Joshua Cortez (former De La Cruz staffer, Harvard Kennedy), John Lujan (former State Rep, firefighter)..
TX-35 was redrawn in 2025 as part of a Republican gerrymander that dismantled five Democratic seats. The district voted for Trump by ~10 points in 2024, shifting from Solid Democratic to Likely Republican. Current Rep. Greg Casar was drawn into the new TX-37. Garcia faces long odds but represents Democrats' best hope in a district with deep Latino roots.
Garcia is one of four Democrats in the March 3 primary. The Republican primary is crowded (11 candidates) with Carlos De La Cruz and Joshua Cortez leading in fundraising (~$255K and $235K respectively) and John Lujan bringing name recognition as former State Rep. Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball all rate general election "Likely Republican." Democrats argue the seat could flip in a wave election.
Key dates to watch: Primary on March 3, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.