Texas Redistricting and Its Impact on Key Elections

Republican-led efforts to redraw Texas voting districts have taken center stage ahead of the midterm elections. Fox News’ chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram covers these redistricting strategies and their impact on congressional races. The changes could influence the balance of power in Congress and lead to various legal and political challenges, as discussed on ‘Special Report.’

In a significant development, Democrat Johnny Garcia has emerged victorious in the newly redrawn 35th Congressional District in Texas. Despite a Republican-favored map, Garcia, a Bexar County Sheriff’s Deputy, beat Republican candidate Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran supported by former President Donald Trump.

“Carlos De La Cruz just called and conceded the race, and I thanked him for a hard-fought campaign,” Garcia shared on X. “I’m grateful to the voters of TX-35 for their trust. Whether or not you voted for me, I’ll fight to lower your costs, make healthcare affordable, and keep our community safe. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!”

The 35th District, part of the broader Texas Republicans’ redistricting plan, was a key test of their efforts. The strategy aimed to solidify the GOP’s presence in the U.S. House before the 2026 midterm elections. The redistricting was done under the direction of President Trump and shifted the district towards a demographic favoring him by about 10 percentage points during the 2024 presidential election.

The redrawing also shifted Democratic incumbent Greg Casar, who moved to contest the newly formed 37th Congressional District. The new 35th District includes parts of San Antonio and nearby counties, dramatically altering its political landscape.

The race contrasted two distinct candidates. Carlos De La Cruz, with a 20-year military background and experience as a gym owner, gained Trump’s endorsement and had notable family ties in politics. His sister, GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz, serves Texas’ 15th Congressional District. Garcia, known for his moderate, law-and-order approach, focused his campaign on working families and economic concerns.

Both candidates faced tough primary challenges, with De La Cruz defeating state Rep. John Lujan, and Garcia overcoming Maureen Galindo. The district’s primarily Hispanic electorate posed broader questions about Hispanic voter trends, particularly if Republicans could maintain their gains without Trump on the ballot.

The race’s outcome was significant beyond South Texas. It assessed whether redistricting could leverage presidential voting trends for congressional wins or if candidate appeal and evolving voter priorities could influence results.

As control of the House remains a national focus, this race was among several Texas battlegrounds capturing bipartisan attention.