Tano
E. Tijerina
Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, a former Democrat turned Republican, is challenging incumbent Henry Cuellar in Texas's 28th Congressional District.
- sources
- 16
- positions
- 7
- endorsements
- 9
Background
Tano E. Tijerina is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas's 28th Congressional District in the November 2026 election. Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, he has served as Webb County Judge since January 1, 2015, and was reelected to a third term in January 2023, making him the county's 15th judge. 8 He previously played four years of professional minor-league baseball after being drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1993, before returning to Laredo to complete his education, earning a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M International University in 2002. 8
Tijerina switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in December 2024. 2 He is challenging incumbent Democrat Henry Cuellar in the redrawn 28th Congressional District; the FEC classifies Tijerina as a challenger in the race. 12 He has received support from national Republican organizations and high-profile endorsements in the contest. 419
He and his wife live in Laredo, where they are raising their children. 814
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 28, Texas
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Webb County Judge
- Website
- tanoforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11endorsementTrump renews endorsement of Tijerina, again attacks Cuellar for not switching parties
Local Laredo reporting described Trump again promoting Tijerina and criticizing Cuellar for remaining a Democrat after receiving a presidential pardon, framing the race as a question of loyalty.
‘Loyalty does matter': Trump backs Tijerina again, attacks Cuellar for not switching parties · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 11endorsementHouse Majority Leader Scalise endorses Tijerina during Laredo visit
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise visited Laredo, joined Tijerina at a business roundtable, and endorsed his congressional campaign. The report also noted that House Speaker Mike Johnson had visited Laredo in August to support Tijerina at his campaign headquarters opening.
House Majority Leader visits Laredo, backs Tijerina's congressional bid · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7endorsementTrump rallies in San Antonio, attacks Cuellar and promotes Tijerina
At a San Antonio rally on October 7, President Trump criticized Rep. Henry Cuellar for remaining a Democrat after Trump pardoned him and his wife, and urged voters to support Tijerina. Trump framed the contest partly as 'payback' for Cuellar's party loyalty.
Trump speaks at rally for Senate candidate Ken Paxton in San Antonio · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsTijerina reported to back guest-worker program and dreamer protections, distancing from some Trump immigration policy
The Washington Post reported that Tijerina supported a temporary guest-worker program for construction workers, a path to legal status for 'dreamers,' and special trade exceptions for Canadians and Mexicans—positions framed against the Trump administration's immigration approach.
The border counties that swung to Trump are now short ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26pollPoll shows Cuellar leading Tijerina 45%–34% in TX-28
A Texas Southern University survey of 600 likely voters conducted July 27–30 showed Henry Cuellar at 45%, Tijerina at 34%, and Green Party candidate Marlón Durán at 6%. About 40% of voters did not know enough about Tijerina to form an opinion.
Henry Cuellar Polls: Polling Average and Latest Surveys · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26newsTijerina dismisses poll showing him trailing Cuellar, calls Cuellar corrupt in Newsmax interview
In a Newsmax interview, Tijerina called Cuellar corrupt, saying he 'reeks of corruption,' and dismissed a Texas Southern University poll (conducted July 27–30) showing Cuellar at 45% and Tijerina at 34%. Tijerina noted low voter familiarity gave his campaign room to grow.
Tijerina to Newsmax: Cuellar 'Reeks of Corruption' · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 17newsDaily Signal profiles Tijerina challenging Cuellar in TX-28
The Daily Signal published a profile of the TX-28 race, highlighting Tijerina's challenge to incumbent Rep. Henry Cuellar.
Tano Tijerina Challenges Henry Cuellar in Texas 28 - The Daily Signal · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 28filingGeneral-election ballot certified with Tijerina, Cuellar, and Durán for TX-28
The Texas Secretary of State certified the final general-election ballot for District 28, listing Tano E. Tijerina (Republican), Henry Cuellar (Democrat), and Marlón Durán (Green).
Marlón Durán (G) — U.S. Representative, TX-28 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Mar 1filingTijerina secures Republican nomination for TX-28
Tano E. Tijerina secured the Republican nomination for Texas' 28th Congressional District in March 2026, setting up a general election contest against incumbent Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar.
‘Loyalty does matter': Trump backs Tijerina again, attacks Cuellar for not switching parties · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- ANCA Western Region (ANCA-WR) organizationANCA-WR lists Tijerina as its endorsement for Texas' 28th District general election on its 2026 endorsements page. Date not stated. ancawr.org
- House Majority Whip Tom Emmer officialDate not established in sources reviewed. Listed on campaign endorsements page. tanoforcongress.com
- Senator Ted Cruz officialDate not established in sources reviewed. Listed on campaign endorsements page and iVoterGuide profile. tanoforcongress.com
- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise officialScalise endorsed Tijerina during a Laredo visit on October 11, 2026, as reported by the Laredo Morning Times. lmtonline.com · Oct 11, 2026
- House Speaker Mike Johnson officialJohnson visited Laredo in August 2026 to support Tijerina at the opening of his campaign headquarters. Listed on campaign endorsements page. Approximate date based on source noting August visit. tanoforcongress.com · Aug 1, 2026
- Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Candidate Fund organizationThe group announced its endorsement of Tijerina in a press release dated July 24, 2026. sbaprolife.org · Jul 24, 2026
- Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) organizationANCA announced its endorsement of Tijerina for the general election, citing opposition to Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus Co-Chair Henry Cuellar. anca.org · Apr 28, 2026
- Governor Greg Abbott officialAbbott announced his endorsement on January 27, 2026. Reproduced in Tijerina's post and listed on campaign endorsements page. x.com · Jan 27, 2026
- President Donald Trump officialTrump first endorsed Tijerina in January 2026 and reaffirmed his support in October 2026. Listed on campaign endorsements page. lmtonline.com · Jan 1, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1.40M
- Spent
- $632K
- Cash on hand
- $768K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6TX28124(opens in a new tab)
Sources 16
- [1] ‘Loyalty does matter': Trump backs Tijerina again, attacks Cuellar for not switching parties(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] House Majority Leader visits Laredo, backs Tijerina's congressional bid(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] The border counties that swung to Trump are now short ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [4] Trump speaks at rally for Senate candidate Ken Paxton in San Antonio(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] endorsed by the toughest conservatives in the country(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [6] Henry Cuellar Polls: Polling Average and Latest Surveys(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [7] Tano Tijerina for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [8] Tijerina to Newsmax: Cuellar 'Reeks of Corruption'(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [9] Marlón Durán (G) — U.S. Representative, TX-28 | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [10] Tano Tijerina Challenges Henry Cuellar in Texas 28 - The Daily Signal(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [11] Webb County cuts property tax rate by a penny(opens in a new tab) Aug 25, 2026
- [12] Leading Nat'l Pro-Life Group Endorses Judge Tano ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 24, 2026
- [13] Tano Tijerina: Positions, Voting Record and Sources | Vote the Person(opens in a new tab) Jun 17, 2026
- [14] 2026 PRIMARY ENDORESMENTS - ANCA Western Region(opens in a new tab) May 26, 2026
- [15] ANCA Endorses Judge Tano Tijerina’s Campaign to Unseat Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus Co-Chair Henry Cuellar(opens in a new tab) Apr 28, 2026
- [16] Honored to receive the endorsement of Governor @GregAbbott_TX ...(opens in a new tab) Jan 27, 2026