A progressive primary challenger, backed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, came within 281 votes of defeating incumbent Representative Henry Cuellar in 2020. Cuellar, a Democrat representing Texas’s 28th Congressional District, subsequently won reelection in 2022 and 2024—despite a federal bribery indictment and, a pardon from President Donald Trump.
A Shift in Texas Politics
This year, Cuellar faces no well-funded primary opponents. This situation reflects a broader trend along the Texas border, where progressive candidates once attracted national attention and fundraising, but now mount “shoestring” campaigns. Political observers attribute this shift to the defeats of progressive candidates in 2022 and 2024, recent redistricting efforts, and concerns that some Latino voters may have permanently shifted their support to Republicans.
Despite these challenges, some believe Democrats may have “overlearned” the lessons of 2024, when Trump made “historic inroads” among Latino voters in the region. According to Jon Taylor, a political science professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, “There’s a decided progressive shift, especially among Democratic voters who are desperate for real change.”
Challenges to the Establishment
In the 15th Congressional District, Ada Cuellar—who is not related to Henry Cuellar—is competing for progressive votes against Tejano music scion Bobby Pulido. While Washington Democrats favor Pulido, believing he has a better chance of winning over Republicans in a district that favored Trump by 58 percent to 40 percent in 2024, Ada Cuellar considers herself an “independent Democrat” and supports policies like Medicare for All and abortion rights. She argues that “the establishment has misread the moment” and “shouldn’t have made a pick here.”
Similar dynamics are playing out in the 34th Congressional District, where policy researcher Etienne Rosas is challenging incumbent Representative Vicente Gonzalez with limited funding. Gonzalez, a co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security and opposes abortion rights—positions that could produce him a target for progressives. However, national groups have largely stayed away from this race.
A Mixed Record for Progressives
National progressive groups have had a mixed record in the Rio Grande Valley. While backing Jessica Cisneros in 2020 and 2022, she fell short of defeating Cuellar. In the 15th District, Michelle Vallejo secured the Democratic nomination in 2022 and 2024, but ultimately lost to Republican Monica De La Cruz. A report by Cambio Texas suggested Vallejo’s campaigns were hampered by overreliance on national groups and “purity tests.”
Recent redistricting has further complicated matters, with nearly every border district now voting for Trump by a margin of more than 10 percent—with the exception of the district represented by Representative Veronica Escobar of El Paso.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors are contributing to the challenges faced by progressive candidates in Texas?
The defeat of progressive candidates in 2022 and 2024, mid-decade redistricting, and concerns about a potential shift in Latino voters toward the Republican party are all contributing factors.
What is the argument for national Democrats supporting more conservative candidates like Henry Cuellar?
The argument is that these candidates are more likely to win general elections in districts that heavily favored Trump.
What role has Donald Trump played in the current political landscape in Texas?
Trump granted Representative Henry Cuellar a pardon from federal charges, and his influence on Latino voters along the border is seen as a significant factor in the current political dynamics.
As Texas primary elections approach, it remains to be seen whether national Democratic groups will adjust their strategies and provide more support to progressive candidates, or if the current trend of favoring more conservative options will continue.
