Democrat Johnny Garcia is projected to win the race for Texas's 35th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ, preserving a seat that Republicans had hoped to flip through a mid-decade redistricting effort.
The district, which was redrawn by state Republicans to favor their party, has been represented by Democrat Greg Casar. It covers the suburbs of San Antonio and nearby communities, with a majority-Hispanic population and a significant military presence.
Garcia, a deputy sheriff in Bexar County, defeated Republican nominee Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran and brother of Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX). With 52% of the vote counted by early Wednesday, Garcia led by nearly 14 points, 56.9% to 43.2%.
Garcia's campaign centered on easing the high cost of living in Texas, banning lawmakers from trading stocks, expanding affordable housing, securing the southern border, and curbing new data center developments. He drew support from Casar, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Garcia also hammered the Trump administration's military actions against Iran, blaming them for rising fuel and living costs and for the deaths of service members. In an August social media post, he wrote: "No more endless wars. I'm running because our troops and their families deserve better."
The win is part of a broader Democratic surge in Texas and nationally. Democrats flipped several House seats, including Texas's 10th District, and seized control of Congress in a rebuke of Trump's Iran policy. In the Senate, Democrats also won the majority, blunting the president's agenda.
Garcia's victory underscores the resilience of Democratic candidates in districts drawn to favor the GOP, and it sets up a potentially contentious term as House Democrats prepare to confront Trump, as party leaders have vowed.
