Dem wins Trump-targeted Texas district in rebuke of Republican redistricting shakeup

Democrat Johnny Garcia is projected to win Texas' newly redrawn 35th Congressional District on Tuesday, overcoming a Republican-favored map designed to flip the seat after redistricting pushed Democratic Rep. Greg Casar into another district.

Garcia, a Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy, defeated Republican candidate Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran who was backed by President Donald Trump.

"Carlos De La Cruz just called and conceded the race, and I thanked him for a hard fought campaign," Garcia posted on X. "I'm grateful to the voters of TX-35 for their trust. Whether or not you voted for me, I'll fight to lower your costs, make healthcare affordable, and keep our community safe. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!"

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A woman carries a sample ballot as she walks to a polling station in San Antonio, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The contest became a closely watched test of Texas Republicans' mid-decade redistricting strategy, which sought to strengthen the GOP's grip on the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Republican lawmakers dramatically reshaped the district in 2025 at President Donald Trump's urging, transforming a Democratic stronghold into territory that would have favored Trump by roughly 10 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.

The overhaul also displaced the district's Democratic incumbent, Casar, who opted to seek election in the newly configured 37th Congressional District rather than defend his former seat.

The new 35th District covers portions of San Antonio and surrounding communities in Bexar County and neighboring counties.

The race pitted two candidates with sharply different backgrounds against one another.

De La Cruz, a 20-year Air Force veteran and former gym owner, entered the general election with Trump's endorsement and a prominent family connection to Washington. His sister, GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz, represents Texas' 15th Congressional District.

U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks against Texas redistricting efforts at a news conference at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Thursday, July 31, 2025. Listening are U.S. representatives Joaquin Castro, Lloyd Doggett, Greg Casar, Lizzie Fletcher and Al Green. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)

Garcia, a longtime Bexar County sheriff's deputy, campaigned as a moderate, law-and-order Democrat, emphasizing working families and household costs in his appeal to voters.

Both candidates emerged from competitive May primary runoffs, with De La Cruz defeating Republican state Rep. John Lujan and Garcia overcoming Democratic rival Maureen Galindo.

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The district's Hispanic-majority electorate also placed the race at the center of a broader political question: whether Republicans could sustain Trump's 2024 gains among Hispanic voters in a midterm election without the president himself on the ballot.

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Republicans John Lujan (left) and Carlos De La Cruz (right) faced off in the Republican primary runoff election. (Campaign Website for John Lujan for Congress; Campaign Website for Carlos De La Cruz for Congress)

The outcome carries implications beyond South Texas, offering a test of whether redistricting can translate favorable presidential voting patterns into congressional victories or whether candidate appeal and changing voter priorities can disrupt those calculations.

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With control of the House at stake nationally, the race became one of several Texas battlegrounds drawing attention from both parties.