U.S. Representative, District 35 - Texas Ballot Compare

Carlos De La Cruz

Republican

On ballot as: Carlos De La Cruz
Current role: Retired U.S. Air Force veteran
Background: In a 2026 questionnaire, says he is 46, grew up in Texas and enlisted in the Air Force at 18
Raised by a single mother in South Texas
Brother of U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Edinburg
Experience: Served 20 years in the Air Force, with deployments to the Middle East after 9/11 and counter-drug assignments at the southern border
Opened a San Antonio kickboxing gym with his wife in 2018; they later sold it
First run for office; won the May 26, 2026 Republican primary runoff
Top priorities: Economy: "cut wasteful spending, support pro-growth tax policy, and make sure small businesses" can "compete and thrive"
Border: "lock in the tools, personnel, and legal authority to enforce our laws"
"fully supporting law enforcement and going after the cartels that are flooding our streets with fentanyl"
Says members of Congress "should not be allowed to trade stocks while they write the laws that move the market"
"I will defend Social Security and Medicare"
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Immigration: "Has to be legal, orderly, and safe. That means finishing the job on border security"
Guns: Will protect the 2nd Amendment
Health care: "We need more competition, not more government control."
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: President Donald Trump
House Speaker Mike Johnson
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer
U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz
U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden
Show all 9
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul
U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill
U.S. Rep. August Pfluger
National Border Patrol Council
Campaign website: carlosforcongress.com

Johnny C. Garcia

Democratic

On ballot as: Johnny C. Garcia
Current role: Deputy and Public Information Officer, Bexar County Sheriff's Office
Background: Age 38; born and raised on the West Side of San Antonio
Attended St. Philip's College while working construction
Joined the Bexar County Sheriff's Office at age 21,
Experience: Bexar County Sheriff's Office: jail, patrol and the SWAT crisis negotiation team
Led the jail's Inmate Worker Program, a job-training and reintegration program
Won the May 26, 2026 Democratic primary runoff over Maureen Galindo
Top priorities: Economy: "ending the Trump tariffs, renewing ACA subsidies to make healthcare more affordable, investing in apprenticeships and job training programs"
Public safety: "giving officers the training, resources, and mental health support they need, while ensuring transparency and clear oversight"
Education: "fully funded public schools, investment in teachers, updated classroom resources"
"I won't trade stocks as a Member of Congress, and I'll work to get the influence of billionaires out of our elections"
Housing: "crackdown on big private equity companies buying up homes"
Tidbits: Abortion: Pro Abortion
Immigration: Campaign site: "We need comprehensive immigration reform that includes border security, pathways to citizenship, and work visas that meet our economy's needs."
Guns: (no public position)
Health care: "I'll reverse Republicans' healthcare cuts and invest in our rural hospitals."
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: Texas AFL-CIO
Texas AFT
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro
Show all 11
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett
Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar
Former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg
Blue Dog Coalition (primary runoff)
Democratic Majority for Israel PAC (primary runoff)
Campaign website: votejohnnygarcia.com