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D Democratic · U.S. House 35, Texas · Nov 3, 2026

Johnny
C. Garcia

Democratic nominee for Texas's open 35th Congressional District; Bexar County Sheriff's Office deputy and PIO making his first run for office

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
28
positions
12
endorsements
23
votejohnnygarcia.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Carlos De La Cruz R Compare race →

Background

Johnny C. Garcia is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Texas's 35th Congressional District, which became an open seat following redistricting. Born and raised in San Antonio, Garcia grew up on the city's West Side, attended Memorial High School, and later studied at St. Philip's Community College while working in construction. 13

Garcia joined the Bexar County Sheriff's Office at age 21 and built a career there spanning work in the jail, patrol, and SWAT crisis negotiation team; at the time of his candidacy he served as the office's public information officer. [3, 13] His 2026 congressional run is his first bid for elected office. 5

Garcia won the Democratic primary runoff on May 26, 2026, advancing to the November 3, 2026 general election, where he faces the Republican nominee. The FEC classifies him as a challenger. [3, 24, 26] He has received endorsements from Democrats Work for America and others during the campaign. [1, 18]

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 35, Texas
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Bexar County Sheriff's Office Deputy and Public Information Officer
Website
votejohnnygarcia.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 11
    news
    C-SPAN posts video of Garcia speaking at canvassing event in San Antonio

    C-SPAN recorded and posted footage of Johnny C. Garcia speaking at a campaign canvassing event in San Antonio ahead of the November 3 general election.

    U.S. House Candidate Johnny Garcia (D-TX) Speaks at Canvassing Event in San Antonio · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 9
    debate
    Garcia and De La Cruz face off at San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce forum

    Garcia appeared at what the San Antonio Report called the 'first and likely only forum' before the election, moderated by Texas Public Radio. Garcia focused on affordability, said Biden 'got it wrong' on border policy, and argued Trump administration enforcement actions were harming the local economy.

    District 35 candidates pitch voters in a key race for majority ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 6
    news
    Texas Tribune and Fox San Antonio profile the competitive TX-35 race and Latino voter dynamics

    Multiple outlets reported on the competitive nature of the newly redrawn TX-35 district, Latino voters' political power, and Garcia's background as a law enforcement Democrat seeking to upend partisan expectations in a Republican-leaning seat.

    San Antonio U.S. House race puts Latino voters’ power on display · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 5
    news
    CNN covers Garcia's strategy to win TX-35 by winning back Latino voters

    CNN reported on Garcia's campaign approach in a district Trump won by 10 points, focusing on his effort to recapture Latino voters as a path to victory.

    Trump won this district by 10 points. This Democrat thinks he can win it by winning back Latinos · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 4
    news
    TPR reports Garcia's policy pitch: end tariffs, renew ACA subsidies, expand housing and child care

    Texas Public Radio described Garcia's campaign message as centered on household affordability, including ending Trump's tariffs, renewing Affordable Care Act subsidies, and expanding apprenticeships, affordable housing, and child care.

    Affordability, Latino turnout and Trump's endorsement shape ... · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Oct 2
    endorsement
    San Antonio Express-News editorial board endorses Garcia for TX-35

    The San Antonio Express-News editorial board recommended Garcia for the newly redrawn 35th Congressional District seat, offering an editorial endorsement ahead of the November 3 general election.

    Moderate Garcia right for Texas' 35th Congressional District · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 29
    poll
    Poll shows razor-thin race: De La Cruz 45%, Garcia 44% among likely voters

    An August 27–31 poll by Normington Petts, sponsored by House Majority PAC, showed De La Cruz at 45% and Garcia at 44% among 500 likely voters, with a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points, indicating a highly competitive race.

    Texas 35th Congressional District Race: De La Cruz vs. ... · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 26
    news
    Garcia's fundraising reported at ~$931,699 raised and $323,108 cash on hand through June 30

    A campaign-finance summary reported Garcia had raised approximately $931,699, spent $609,000, and held $323,108 cash on hand as of the June 30 reporting period. These figures do not reflect a full-year or October total.

    How Johnny Garcia Can Win TX-35 in 2026 · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 24
    endorsement
    AFGE endorses Garcia, citing his public-service and law-enforcement background

    The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union, announced its endorsement of Garcia ahead of the November election. The Texas Tribune also reported backing from local union chapters including Communications Workers of America.

    Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Four U.S. House Candidates in Texas Ahead of November Election · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. May 26
    filing
    Garcia wins Democratic primary runoff with ~64%, becomes party nominee for TX-35

    Johnny C. Garcia won the Democratic primary runoff for Texas's 35th Congressional District, receiving approximately 64% of the vote and securing the Democratic nomination for the November 3 general election against Republican Carlos De La Cruz.

    Johnny Garcia – Volunteer Blue · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Joaquin Castro official
    Member of Congress; listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Lloyd Doggett official
    Member of Congress; listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Rosie Castro official
    Listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Javier Salazar official
    Bexar County Sheriff; listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Rebeca Clay-Flores official
    Bexar County Commissioner; listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Edward Mungia official
    City councilmember; listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Greg Casar official
    Member of Congress; listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Jose Menendez official
    Texas state senator; listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Nelson Wolff official
    Listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Justin Rodriguez official
    Bexar County Commissioner; listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Wendy Davis official
    Former Texas state senator; listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • Ron Nirenberg official
    Former San Antonio mayor; listed on Garcia's campaign endorsements page without individual date. votejohnnygarcia.com
  • San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board newspaper
    Recommended Garcia for the general election in an editorial. expressnews.com · Oct 2, 2026
  • San Antonio AFL-CIO union
    Listed Garcia as its U.S. House District 35 general-election endorsement. texasaflcio.org · Sep 18, 2026
  • Reproductive Freedom for All organization
    Included Garcia in its slate of House endorsements for challengers key to flipping the House. reproductivefreedomforall.org · Aug 27, 2026
  • League of Conservation Voters Action Fund organization
    Endorsed Garcia as part of new U.S. House endorsements. lcv.org · Jul 16, 2026
  • James Talarico official
    Texas state senator and 2026 U.S. Senate nominee; described Garcia as 'a deputy sheriff with a track record of protecting the communities he's running to represent.' cnn.com · May 21, 2026
  • Pete Buttigieg official
    Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation; Garcia's campaign posted Buttigieg was 'in my corner'. x.com · May 14, 2026
  • Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) organization
    Added Garcia to its Red to Blue program, providing organizational and fundraising support. dccc.org · May 4, 2026
  • CHC BOLD PAC organization
    Campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; endorsed Garcia as part of key Texas races to flip the House. boldpac.com · Apr 2, 2026
  • Austin Central Labor Council union
    Listed Garcia in District 35 primary endorsements alongside John Lira in a dual endorsement. austinlaborcouncil.org · Feb 12, 2026
  • Blue Dog PAC organization
    Endorsed Garcia in Texas' 35th Congressional District. bluedogdems.com · Jan 26, 2026
  • Texas AFL-CIO COPE union
    Included Garcia among 2026 primary-election endorsements; also listed for the general election. texasaflcio.org · Jan 25, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$932K
Spent
$609K
Cash on hand
$323K

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6TX35095(opens in a new tab)

Sources 28

  1. [1] Johnny Garcia — US House Candidate: Record & Positions(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] Johnny Garcia – Volunteer Blue(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  3. [3] Johnny Garcia (D) – TX-35 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  4. [4] U.S. House Candidate Johnny Garcia (D-TX) Speaks at Canvassing Event in San Antonio(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  5. [5] District 35 candidates pitch voters in a key race for majority ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  6. [6] ENDORSEMENTS | Johnny Garcia For Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  7. [7] Johnny Garcia | 2026 candidate for Texas' 35th Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  8. [8] San Antonio U.S. House race puts Latino voters’ power on display(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  9. [9] Blue Dog PAC Endorses Bobby Pulido and Johnny Garcia in Texas ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  10. [10] Trump won this district by 10 points. This Democrat thinks he can win it by winning back Latinos(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  11. [11] Affordability, Latino turnout and Trump's endorsement shape ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  12. [12] Moderate Garcia right for Texas' 35th Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  13. [13] Texas 35th Congressional District Race: De La Cruz vs. ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  14. [14] How Johnny Garcia Can Win TX-35 in 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  15. [15] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Four U.S. House Candidates in Texas Ahead of November Election(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  16. [16] San Antonio AFL-CIO 2026 General Election Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  17. [17] In race for Texas' redrawn 35th District, Johnny Garcia says it all ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 4, 2026
  18. [18] Johnny Garcia is endorsed by Reproductive ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 4, 2026
  19. [19] Reproductive Freedom for All Endorses Slate of Challengers Key to Flipping the House This November - Reproductive Freedom for All®(opens in a new tab) Aug 27, 2026
  20. [20] LCV Action Fund Announces New Endorsements for U.S. ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 16, 2026
  21. [21] Democrats reject antisemite in Texas while Trump tightens GOP grip(opens in a new tab) May 27, 2026
  22. [22] James Talarico endorses Texas candidate Johnny Garcia ...(opens in a new tab) May 21, 2026
  23. [23] "Johnny Garcia gets an endorsement from Pete Buttigieg ...(opens in a new tab) May 14, 2026
  24. [24] Johnny Garcia Added to DCCC's Coveted 'Red to Blue' Program(opens in a new tab) May 4, 2026
  25. [25] CHC BOLD PAC Endorses Democrats in Key Texas Races to Flip ...(opens in a new tab) Apr 2, 2026
  26. [26] Austin Central Labor Council 2026 Primary Election ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 12, 2026
  27. [27] Texas AFL-CIO COPE 2026 Primary Election Pro-Worker Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Jan 25, 2026
  28. [28] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2025
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