Adam
Bauman
Republican nominee Adam Bauman, a retired Border Patrol agent, challenges Democratic incumbent Veronica Escobar in Texas's 16th Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 6
- positions
- 7
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Adam Bauman is the Republican nominee for Texas's 16th Congressional District in the November 2026 election, challenging five-term Democratic incumbent Veronica Escobar. [6, 9] He is a retired U.S. Border Patrol agent whose campaign states he served on the Border Patrol Tactical Team (BORTAC) and as a U.S. Navy Special Warfare Combatant Crewman. [1, 13] Bauman was born in Phoenix and came to El Paso in 2001 when he was stationed there with the Border Patrol; he currently runs a canine drug-detection business in the area. [13, 16] The 2026 congressional race marks his first run for elected office. 6
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 16, Texas
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Owner of a canine drug-detection business; retired U.S. Border Patrol agent
- Website
- adambaumanforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 6newsKVIA voter-guide profile identifies Bauman as retired Border Patrol agent; awaiting his questionnaire response
KVIA published a voter-guide profile identifying Bauman as the Republican candidate and a retired Border Patrol agent running in TX-16. The station noted it had sent him a questionnaire and was still waiting for his response, so no policy answers were included.
Adam Bauman, candidate for Texas Congressional District 16 ... - KVIA · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsReport notes Bauman had not reported raising campaign money 'as of this summer'
El Paso Matters reported that Bauman was among major-party House candidates who had not reported raising campaign money as of that summer, though FEC data through June 30 showed receipts of $858,766.
El Paso, Rio Grande Valley residents say ICE tactics have ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26pollAnalysis estimates Escobar holds a 22.4-point starting advantage over Bauman; no 2026 polls published
The Political Group published a race analysis estimating incumbent Veronica Escobar's starting advantage at 22.4 points based on a weighted blend of past election results. The outlet explicitly noted no 2026 polls had been published for the TX-16 race.
What It Would Take for Adam Bauman to Win TX-16 in 2026 · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingFEC filings through June 30 show Bauman with $858,766 in receipts and $270,455 cash on hand
FEC reports through June 30 listed Bauman's committee at $858,766 in receipts, $704,156 in disbursements, and $270,455 cash on hand.
TX-16 voting record - Veronica Escobar - In Your Name · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 26newsBauman wins Republican runoff with 68.6%, becoming GOP nominee for TX-16
Bauman won the Republican runoff with 68.6% (7,742 votes), defeating Manuel Barraza who received 31.4% (3,547 votes), securing the Republican nomination to face Democratic incumbent Veronica Escobar in the general election.
TX-16 voting record - Veronica Escobar - In Your Name · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Mar 3newsBauman leads TX-16 Republican primary with 23.9% but falls short of majority
Bauman led the March 3 Republican primary in TX-16 with 23.9% of the vote but did not secure a majority, forcing a runoff election.
TX-16 voting record - Veronica Escobar - In Your Name · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $0
- Spent
- $0
- Cash on hand
- $0
Reporting date not available. ↳ FEC record H6TX16152(opens in a new tab)
Sources 6
- [1] Adam Bauman, candidate for Texas Congressional District 16 ... - KVIA(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [2] Adam Bauman for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [3] Adam Bauman — 2026 Texas's 16th Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [4] El Paso, Rio Grande Valley residents say ICE tactics have ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [5] What It Would Take for Adam Bauman to Win TX-16 in 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [6] TX-16 voting record - Veronica Escobar - In Your Name(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026