Four Texas congressional races remain competitive as Election Day approaches, drawing attention to some of the state’s most closely watched contests.
In August 2025, the Texas Legislature passed a new congressional map during a special legislative session. Although the map was challenged in court, with a lower court ruling that it raised constitutional concerns over race, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Texas to use the map for the 2026 midterm elections.
Since redistricting, four congressional races—most of them in South Texas—have become competitive, with both parties vying for key seats.
15th Congressional District
Following redistricting, Texas’ 15th Congressional District covers the Rio Grande Valley and portions of Central and Coastal Bend counties. The incumbent is Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz.
De La Cruz is facing Democrat Bobby Pulido, a Tejano singer who has faced scrutiny over his association with a former band member who is a registered sex offender.
Pulido has centered his campaign on presenting himself as a moderate. While he opposes abortion, he says every woman has the right to make her own decision. He also pledged to protect Medicare, writing on his campaign website, “Medicare is a promise and a critical safety net that we have to keep and make stronger.”
De La Cruz, who has held the seat since 2023, has continued to support President Donald Trump’s agenda, including voting in favor of the SAVE Act and the “One Big, Beautiful Bill.”
Although the race remains competitive, two polls show De La Cruz leading, while one shows Pulido ahead.
28th Congressional District
The 28th Congressional District stretches from parts of San Antonio to the U.S.-Mexico border, including Laredo and Rio Grande City. The incumbent is Democrat Henry Cuellar, who is seeking reelection.
Cuellar is facing Republican Tano Tijerina, who has served as a Webb County judge since 2015.
Cuellar’s political career has been overshadowed by legal troubles. He and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, were indicted on federal bribery, money laundering, and foreign influence charges in May 2024. Trump pardoned the couple in December 2025.
Tijerina points to his record of lowering property taxes during his tenure as county judge and says he supports an “America first” foreign policy.
Polling as of July 20 shows Tijerina with an advantage.
34th Congressional District
The 34th Congressional District covers parts of South Texas and the Gulf Coast, including Brownsville and Harlingen.
The candidates are incumbent Democrat Vicente Gonzalez, who has represented the district since 2023, and Republican Eric Flores, a former assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas.
Gonzalez voted against the One Big, Beautiful Bill, legislation Trump supported, that would help create a thriving economy, protect America’s borders, and end wasteful spending. He also voted against the SAVE Act, another Trump initiative that would require documented proof of citizenship to vote in U.S. elections.
Flores says his priorities include border security, support for law enforcement, and U.S. energy independence. He has been endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council, Americans for Prosperity, and Trump.
The race is considered competitive, with some polling indicating that Gonzalez holds a slight advantage.
35th Congressional District
In the 35th Congressional District, the redistricted map moved incumbent Democrat Greg Cesar to the 37th Congressional District, leaving the 35th District without an incumbent.
The new district includes much of the south and northeast sides of San Antonio, along with parts of Bexar, Guadalupe, Wilson and Karnes counties.
The candidates are Democrat Johnny Garcia, public information officer for Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, and Republican Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran and the brother of Rep. Monica De La Cruz.
Garcia says immigration reform should include border security, pathways to citizenship, and meeting economic needs. He also has advocated strengthening the Affordable Care Act, an Obama-era law that has been riddled with problems including fraud and skyrocketing premiums.
De La Cruz has focused his campaign on border security, saying he is the “only candidate who has been deployed to the southern border.” He also has emphasized parental rights and barring transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
Current political ratings indicate the district leans Republican. The Cook Political Report noted that Trump carried the newly drawn district by 10 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026.
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[ H/T The Daily Signal ]
