Josh CortezCandidate

Josh Cortez

U.S. HouseRepublican

TX-35 U.S. House

Age 42·Tejano/Mexican-American·Former Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to Rep. Monica De La Cruz (2023-2024)

Why This Race Matters

Josh Cortez is running against GOP Primary: Carlos De La Cruz (R, Rep. Monica De La Cruz's brother), John Lujan (R, State Rep), Randy Adams (R), plus 7 others. Dem Primary: Johnny Garcia (D, Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy), John Lira (D), Maureen Galindo (D), Whitney Masterson-Moyes (D).

TX-35 was redrawn in 2025 redistricting to flip from safe Democratic (Greg Casar won 67% in 2024) to Likely Republican. This is one of five blue Texas seats targeted by the new GOP-drawn map. The crowded 11-candidate GOP primary tests whether Republicans' gains with Hispanic voters will hold in a majority-Hispanic district.

Cortez was the first Republican to file for the newly-redrawn district. He faces Carlos De La Cruz, brother of his former boss Rep. Monica De La Cruz, and former State Rep. John Lujan in the primary. The district's redrawing faces a federal lawsuit from LULAC alleging racial discrimination. If Republicans win, this flips a seat Democrats held since 2013.

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

About

Josh Cortez is an eighth-generation Texan from Guadalupe County whose family has ranched on the same Spanish land grant since 1773. A proud Tejano descended from Spanish royal land grantees, his ancestors contributed cattle herds to aid George Washington during the American Revolution. The son of an Air Force family and descendant of public servants and educators, Cortez has worked as a tech founder, college professor, and senior congressional staffer. In May 2025, he graduated from Harvard Kennedy School as a recipient of the Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy.

Family & Heritage

Eighth-generation Tejano whose ancestors settled on a Spanish land grant in Starr County on the banks of the Rio Grande in 1773. His ancestor Don Jose Maria Escobar was a Spanish royal land grantee. Father served in U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense. Mother was a lifelong educator specializing in first-generation and ESL students. A teacher once told his parents he "likely wouldn't make it out of high school," but his mother's dedication proved otherwise. His grandparents still maintain the family ranch in South Texas where he spent summers working cattle.

Political Career

Before Politics

Veterans liaison for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison; Professor at University of North Texas; Tech company founder; Amazon employee (Whole Foods partnership rollout); Small business owner and rancher; Fellowship at Cicero Institute (Austin)

Education

Bachelor's degree from Baylor University; MBA from University of Virginia; MPA from Harvard Kennedy School (Ash Scholar, 2025)

Awards & Recognition

First Republican to formally announce for newly-redrawn TX-35 district; Harvard Kennedy School graduate

Key Issues & Priorities

*Border Security: Completing physical barriers and sealing the border, no amnesty
*Water Infrastructure: Addressing regional water crisis through conservation and infrastructure
*Energy Independence: Protecting Texas agriculture and local energy production
*Education: Promoting tech and trade schools as alternatives to four-year degrees
*Fiscal Responsibility: Balancing the federal budget and protecting Social Security/Medicare

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