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Garcia Wins Runoff; De La Cruz Secures GOP Nomination

5/27/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Johnny Garcia won the runoff for Texas’s 35th Congressional District with 63.8% of the vote after Maureen Galindo’s antisemitic remarks, while Democratic leaders and super PACs rallied behind him.
Lead Left PAC spent $1 million on ads supporting Galindo and attacking Garcia.
Carlos De La Cruz won the Republican nomination with 57.6% over John Lujan as the district was redrawn R+4, a seat President Donald Trump carried by 10 points in 2024.

History

Historical Context

After the 1994 Republican Revolution—when Newt Gingrich helped the GOP capture a 54-seat House majority and the Speakership—the party has repeatedly used high-spending PACs to reshape Texas districts. In 2024, Democrat Johnny Garcia won Texas’s 35th district with 63.8% of the vote after Lead Left poured $1 million in ads against Maureen Galindo, echoing the 1994 redistricting-driven surge.

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Story summary

Johnny Garcia won the runoff for Texas’s 35th Congressional District with 63.8% of the vote after Maureen Galindo’s antisemitic remarks, while Democratic leaders and super PACs rallied behind him.
Lead Left PAC spent $1 million on ads supporting Galindo and attacking Garcia.
Carlos De La Cruz won the Republican nomination with 57.6% over John Lujan as the district was redrawn R+4, a seat President Donald Trump carried by 10 points in 2024.

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