Democrat Johnny Garcia is projected to win Texas' newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, overcoming a Republican-favored map. The district was reshaped by Republicans in an effort to flip the seat after redistricting pushed the previous Democratic representative, Greg Casar, into a different district.
Garcia, a Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy, defeated Republican candidate Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran endorsed by former 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!"
The race served as a key test of Texas Republicans' redistricting strategy, which aimed to bolster their U.S. House majority. Republican lawmakers significantly altered the district in 2025, purportedly at Trump's urging, transforming it into territory that would have favored him by approximately 10 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
De La Cruz, a 20-year Air Force veteran and former gym owner, also had a notable family connection to Washington; his sister, GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz, represents Texas' 15th Congressional District. Garcia campaigned as a moderate, law-and-order Democrat, focusing on working families and household costs.
The 35th District, which includes parts of San Antonio and surrounding areas in Bexar and neighboring counties, has a Hispanic-majority electorate. The outcome of this race was seen as a barometer for whether Republicans could maintain gains with Hispanic voters in a midterm election without the former president on the ballot.
The contest was one of several Texas battlegrounds attracting national attention, as both parties vied for control of the House.