Marcus CardenasCandidate

Marcus Cardenas

State SenateRepublican

TX-SD19 State Senate

Mexican-American·Republican primary candidate for TX SD-19 (2026)

Why This Race Matters

Marcus Cardenas is running against Roland Gutierrez (D, incumbent); Robert Marks Jr (R, primary); Adam Salyer (R, primary).

SD-19 is a 66% Hispanic majority-minority district spanning 15 counties and 35,000 square miles along 400 miles of the Texas-Mexico border. Gutierrez flipped this seat in 2020 by defeating incumbent Pete Flores 50%-47%, giving Democrats their only state Senate pickup that year. As the senator representing Uvalde, Gutierrez became a national voice for gun control after the 2022 Robb Elementary shooting.

Cardenas faces a three-way Republican primary against Robert Marks Jr and Adam Salyer on March 3, 2026. Gutierrez is unopposed in the Democratic primary. This is one of four Bexar County state Senate seats up for reelection in 2026, with Bexar County containing some of Texas's most competitive seats. Gutierrez ran for U.S. Senate in 2024, finishing second with 16.6% behind Colin Allred.

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

About

Marcus Cardenas is a small business owner and South San Antonio native running for Texas Senate District 19. Born and raised on the Southside, where family, faith, and community shaped his values, Marcus attended St. Joseph's Catholic School, Kazen Middle School, and South San High School where he played basketball. After his older brother died in a motorcycle accident in 2007, Marcus left college at Palo Alto College to help support his family by joining the family plumbing business. He later founded Vertex Concrete, which has served District 19 for over a decade.

Family & Heritage

Born and raised on the Southside of San Antonio in a family-oriented, faith-based community. Attended St. Joseph's Catholic School. After his older brother's death in a motorcycle accident in 2007, Marcus left college to support his family. Father to daughter Isabella and uncle to multiple nieces and nephews.

Political Career

Before Politics

Founder and owner of Vertex Concrete (10+ years); Family plumbing business (after brother's death in 2007)

Education

Palo Alto College (studies interrupted 2007); St. Joseph's Catholic School; Kazen Middle School; South San High School

Key Issues & Priorities

*Economic development and job creation
*Public safety and law enforcement support
*Education funding and teacher compensation
*Infrastructure investment (roads, bridges, water, broadband)
*Regulatory relief for small businesses
*Opposition to police defunding

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