Johnny Garcia

Johnny Garcia is a longtime Bexar County sheriff's deputy and SWAT hostage negotiator who won the Democratic runoff in May for the open, redrawn 35th District. The seat was redrawn to lean Republican by about 10 points, and the only public poll I found, an August survey commissioned by a Democratic super PAC, had him one point behind Republican Carlos De La Cruz.

On the ballot against Carlos De La Cruz (R)

Why it matters: The newly redrawn, Republican-leaning district is a test of whether Republicans can hold their gains among Latino voters, and coverage ties it to control of the U.S. House.

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The race at a glance

Race ratingToss-upCook Political Report, Oct 27 source

Latest poll Garcia 44% 45% De La Cruz 11% undecided or other Normington, Petts and Associates (for House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC), Aug 27-31, 2026, not reported. source

Money raised (through Sep 30) Garcia$985,000 De La Cruz$843,000 $510,000 cash on hand. source

In Johnny's own words

People in this district were sold on a false promise that things would be fixed on day one

Johnny Garcia, Garcia on voters' economic struggles, at a Texas Public Radio candidate debate, Oct 9 source

Where Johnny stands

Cost of living and tariffs: Garcia says he wants to lower costs for families and end Trump's tariffs, and he has said the administration's enforcement has hurt local businesses. source
Health care: His campaign lists affordable health care as a priority, and reporting says he supports renewing Affordable Care Act subsidies. source
Public safety: He presents himself as a law-and-order Democrat who wants safer streets and more federal grant money for local law enforcement. source
Military bases: He opposes moving Army North and Army South out of San Antonio and called it a "personal attack" by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. source

The record

Has worked for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office for about two decades, including as a SWAT hostage negotiator and agency spokesperson.
Grew up on San Antonio's West Side and studied at St. Philip's Community College.
First run for public office; he finished second in the March primary and won the May Democratic runoff.

ConfidentialThe GOP File

The file on Carlos De La Cruz

De La Cruz is a retired Air Force veteran who served 20 years, owns a business in San Antonio, and is the brother of Republican U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz. source
He has been endorsed by President Trump, who held a San Antonio rally for him and other Texas Republicans in October. source
At a debate he called Trump's tariffs "a little too broad — way too broad," and he did not commit to his sister's Bracero Program 2.0 Act. source

Endorsed by

BOLD PAC

Profile sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Race data checked Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Quotes on this page were matched word for word against their sources.