Edgardo
Rafael Baez
Republican attorney and Army veteran challenging Rep. Joaquin Castro in Texas' 20th Congressional District in 2026
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 2
Background
Edgardo Rafael Baez is the 2026 Republican nominee challenging incumbent Democrat Joaquin Castro in Texas' 20th Congressional District, which covers the San Antonio area. 13
Baez describes a career spanning military service, healthcare, and law. He served as an Army combat medic, airborne paratrooper, and drill sergeant, and later worked as an intensive-care nurse before transitioning to law. He has practiced as an attorney in San Antonio for approximately 20 years. 110
Baez holds multiple degrees. A lawyer directory reports a J.D. (2004) from Texas Southern University, a B.S.O.E. from Wayland Baptist University, an M.A. from Liberty University, and an associate degree from Central Texas College; his campaign questionnaire also references a master's in theology and a Ph.D. 115
Baez states he resides in San Antonio, Texas, and the 2026 congressional race is his first campaign for elected office. 14
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 20, Texas
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Attorney in San Antonio, Texas
- Website
- drbaezforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownfilingBaez raised $48,536 and had $21,462 cash on hand through June 30, per FEC filings
A race guide citing FEC filings reported Baez raised $48,536, spent $27,073, and had $21,462 cash on hand as of June 30. By comparison, incumbent Castro raised $514,776 in the same period. These figures are a snapshot through June 30 and are not current totals.
Texas' 20th District Race 2026: Who's Running (TX-20) · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsSan Antonio Express-News editorial details Baez's policy positions on economy, immigration, and Iran war
An Express-News editorial reported Baez's stated concerns about the economy and West Side poverty, his support for a merit-based immigration system tied to employer needs, his call for more ICE oversight, and his view that congressional approval should have been obtained before the Iran war.
Joaquin Castro is a critical member of the U.S. House and merits another term · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25newsBaez accuses Castro of abandoning constituents and prioritizing undocumented immigrants
In a FOX 7 Austin report, Baez criticized incumbent Joaquin Castro for repeating the same message for 13 years while poverty and public safety on San Antonio's West Side worsened, and accused Castro of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over constituents. These are Baez's campaign claims and were not independently verified.
2026 Election: San Antonio congressional race heats up · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsBaez responds to STARRS candidate survey, opposing DEI and 'WOKE' agenda in the military
A nonprofit military organization (STARRS) published Baez's survey response in which he stated his opposition to DEI policies in the military, saying he understands the dangers of a 'DEI or any WOKE agenda inculcated into the military.'
Candidate Survey 2026: What else would you like us to know about ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15filingEdgardo Rafael Baez listed as Republican candidate for TX-20 on general-election ballot
A KENS 5 voter guide listed Edgardo Rafael Baez (Republican) alongside incumbent Joaquin Castro (Democrat) for U.S. House District 20, with the general election set for November 3, 2026.
KENS 5 Voter Guide | What to know about the November ... · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Stand for Health Freedom organizationBaez's campaign website states: 'Stand for Health Freedom proudly endorses our mission to keep medical decisions exclusively between families and their doctors.' No endorsement date is given. An independent dated, candidate-specific listing on the organization's endorsements page was not found in the sources reviewed. drbaezforcongress.com
- San Antonio Police Officers' Association (SAPOA) Political Action Committee organizationSAPOA's official PAC page lists Edgardo Baez under its 2026 SAPOA Endorsed Candidates, U.S. Congress, District 20. Baez's campaign website also states it is 'Backed by the San Antonio Police Officers Association.' No endorsement date is given. sapoa.org
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $49K
- Spent
- $27K
- Cash on hand
- $21K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6TX20113(opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] Dr. Báez for Congress | Greater San Antonio Area(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [2] Texas' 20th District Race 2026: Who's Running (TX-20)(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [3] Dr. Báez for Congress | Greater San Antonio Area | Dr. Báez ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [4] Joaquin Castro is a critical member of the U.S. House and merits another term(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [5] Political Action Committee | SAPOA(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [6] 2026 Election: San Antonio congressional race heats up(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [7] Candidate Survey 2026: What else would you like us to know about ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [8] KENS 5 Voter Guide | What to know about the November ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
- [9] Edgardo Baez | 2026 candidate for Texas’ 20th Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 17, 2026