Carlos
De La Cruz
Republican challenger for Texas' 35th Congressional District and retired U.S. Air Force veteran
- sources
- 17
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 36
Background
Carlos De La Cruz is a Republican candidate running in the November 3, 2026 general election for Texas' 35th Congressional District. The Federal Election Commission classifies him as a challenger, and the seat is open with no incumbent. He won the Republican nomination in a May 26, 2026 primary runoff. 127
De La Cruz served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and service at Lackland Air Force Base and along the southern border. His campaign biography and the San Antonio Report differ on whether he enlisted at age 17 or 18. After retiring from the military, he and his wife built a kickboxing business in San Antonio. 23
He describes himself as a small-business owner and says he was raised in South Texas, though the sources reviewed do not establish a specific hometown. No prior elected offices have been identified in the sources reviewed. 239
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 35, Texas
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- carlosforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Nov 3newsGeneral Election Day for TX-35: De La Cruz vs. Johnny Garcia
November 3 is the scheduled General Election Day for the TX-35 race between Republican Carlos De La Cruz and Democrat Johnny Garcia, as reported by the Daily Signal.
Texas 35th Congressional District Race: De La Cruz vs. ... · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8debateDe La Cruz and Garcia appear at San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce forum, their first and likely only joint event
On October 8, De La Cruz and Garcia appeared at a forum hosted by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Texas Public Radio. De La Cruz called Trump's tariffs 'way too broad' and argued for more strategic tariffs, discussed border security, and said he would seek a seat on the House Armed Services Committee if elected. He did not commit to supporting the Bracero Program 2.0 Act.
In hotly contested TX35, candidates debate affordability, immigration and tariffs’ impact on business owners · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsTrump-aligned No Going Back PAC reserves $4 million in advertising for De La Cruz in TX-35
The San Antonio Report reported on October 7 that the Trump-aligned No Going Back PAC had reserved $4 million in advertising in the district on behalf of De La Cruz. Federal fundraising reports covering through September 24 were not yet available at the time of reporting.
What the money tells us about 2026 races in Texas · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7endorsementTrump rallies in San Antonio alongside De La Cruz, calls him a 'proud 20-year Air Force veteran'
President Trump appeared at a San Antonio rally on October 7 that included De La Cruz. Trump described the candidate as a 'proud 20-year Air Force veteran' whom he wanted in Congress, according to Houston Public Media reporting dated October 8.
Trump makes last-minute pitch in San Antonio after upending the GOP map · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7pollCook Political Report rates TX-35 race 'Lean Republican' amid competitive dynamics
NBC News reported on October 7 that the Cook Political Report rated the TX-35 race 'Lean Republican,' reflecting assessments of the redrawn district's partisan lean and voter dynamics.
Trump's Texas two-step: From the Politics Desk · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4newsDe La Cruz campaign declines invitation to appear on Texas Public Radio's 'The Source'
Texas Public Radio reported on October 4 that it had invited De La Cruz to appear on The Source to answer listener questions, but his campaign declined.
Affordability, Latino turnout and Trump's endorsement shape ... · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29endorsementDe La Cruz holds endorsements from Trump, Rep. Brandon Gill, and National Border Patrol Council
By September 29, De La Cruz had secured endorsements from President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill, and the National Border Patrol Council, according to the Daily Signal.
Texas 35th Congressional District Race: De La Cruz vs. ... · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 31pollPoll shows De La Cruz at 45%, Garcia at 44% in tight TX-35 race
A Normington Petts poll sponsored by House Majority PAC, conducted August 27–31 among 500 likely voters, found De La Cruz at 45% and Garcia at 44%, within the 4.4-point margin of error. The Daily Signal reported this on September 29.
Texas 35th Congressional District Race: De La Cruz vs. ... · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 28filingDe La Cruz certified as Republican candidate for U.S. House District 35 on general-election ballot
According to a candidate profile citing the Texas Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate list, De La Cruz was officially certified for the November 3 ballot as the Republican candidate for U.S. House District 35.
Carlos De La Cruz Jr. (R) — U.S. Representative, TX-35 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 26newsDe La Cruz wins Republican runoff against state Rep. John Lujan, becomes GOP nominee
Carlos De La Cruz won the Republican runoff against state Rep. John Lujan on May 26, becoming the Republican nominee for TX-35. Texas Public Radio reported that Trump had backed De La Cruz in the primary contest.
Affordability, Latino turnout and Trump's endorsement shape ... · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- The Guardian Fund PAC organizationListed as an endorsement on iVoterGuide's candidate profile. No date provided. ivoterguide.com
- Tom Emmer officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Jason Smith officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Lance Gooden officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Brian Babin officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Guy Reschenthaler officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Rudy Yakym officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Rich McCormick officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- John McGuire officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Derrick Van Orden officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Troy Downing officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Stephanie Gonalez officialConverse City Council. Listed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- John Carlson officialSeguin City Council. Listed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Daniel "Danny" Loyola officialMayor of Marion. Listed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Steven Bailey officialKarnes County Sheriff. Listed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Donald J. Trump officialPresident of the United States. Endorsed De La Cruz during the Republican primary; the San Antonio Report says Trump endorsed him the day before the March primary. De La Cruz thanked Trump after winning the May 27 runoff, saying 'His support meant the world to this campaign.' sanantonioreport.org
- Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) officialListed by the campaign and Texas Tribune. She is Carlos De La Cruz's sister. No endorsement date specified. carlosforcongress.com
- August Pfluger officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Brett Guthrie officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Michael McCaul officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Joe Wilson officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Mario Diaz-Balart officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Ryan Zinke officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Randy Weber officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Jody Arrington officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Brandon Gill officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Brian Mast officialListed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Manuel Decena officialElmendorf City Council. Listed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Bill Keller officialSeguin City Council. Listed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Sheryl Sachteben officialGuadalupe County Judge. Listed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Jeffrey Martinez officialKennedy City Council. Listed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Blake Liedka officialWilson County Constable. Listed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) organizationListed as an endorsement on iVoterGuide's candidate profile. No date provided; no independent announcement found in the sources reviewed. ivoterguide.com
- Daniel Keen officialWilson County Constable. Listed on the campaign's endorsement page. No date given. carlosforcongress.com
- Mike Johnson officialHouse Speaker. Listed as an endorser by the campaign and the Texas Tribune. The San Antonio Report reports that House GOP leaders joined Trump in endorsing De La Cruz shortly before the March primary. carlosforcongress.com
- Veterans for America First (VFAF) organizationEndorsement announced July 27, 2026, delivered by Kimberly Taiko Moyers, VFAF Texas chapter vice president and national Vet Force director. yournews.com · Jul 27, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1.05M
- Spent
- $776K
- Cash on hand
- $272K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6TX35087(opens in a new tab)
Sources 17
- [1] District 35 candidates pitch voters in a key race for majority ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] In hotly contested TX35, candidates debate affordability, immigration and tariffs’ impact on business owners(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Trump makes last-minute pitch in San Antonio after upending the GOP map(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [4] Trump's Texas two-step: From the Politics Desk(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] What the money tells us about 2026 races in Texas(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [6] Carlos De La Cruz | 2026 candidate for Texas’ 35th ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [7] Affordability, Latino turnout and Trump's endorsement shape ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [8] ENDORSEMENTS | Carlos De La Cruz(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [9] Mission(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [10] Carlos De La Cruz - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [11] Texas 35th Congressional District Race: De La Cruz vs. ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [12] Carlos De La Cruz - Texas Republican ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [13] Carlos De La Cruz Jr. (R) — U.S. Representative, TX-35 | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [14] VFAF Endorsement of Air Force Veteran Carlos De La Cruz for Congress in Texas' 35th District – [your]NEWS(opens in a new tab) Jul 27, 2026
- [15] It's Johnny Garcia vs. Carlos De La Cruz in San Antonio's new TX35(opens in a new tab) May 27, 2026
- [16] Carlos de la Cruz platform & website | Texas U.S. Representative ...(opens in a new tab) Apr 2, 2026
- [17] Carlos De La Cruz | BallotReady(opens in a new tab) Mar 3, 2026