Rep. Henry Cuellar held off a primary challenge in Texas’ 28th District and will face Trump‑backed Judge Tano Tijerina in November, after a race that underscored immigration tensions, a controversial federal indictment and a high‑profile pardon that has kept the contest in the headlines.
Cuellar secured the Democratic nomination with a clear margin, taking roughly 58.1% of the vote to Ricardo Villarreal’s 36.9% with nearly all ballots tallied. Andrew Vantine trailed in third with about 5%, leaving Cuellar comfortably ahead in a district that stretches from San Antonio to the Rio Grande Valley. That result keeps him on the ballot for November despite sustained pressure from progressives in his own party.
TRUMP’S PARDON OF HOUSE DEM CUELLAR BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS HIS BROTHER FACES INDICTMENT
The congressman’s primary win arrives amid renewed focus on last year’s federal indictment on bribery charges, accusations he has consistently denied. Cuellar and his supporters have said the prosecution was politically motivated, and that framing intensified after he received a pardon from President Donald Trump. Questions about his future and loyalty swirled after the pardon, but Cuellar publicly rejected suggestions he would abandon his party.
Cuellar is one of the last conservative Democrats left in the House, known for hardline views on border security that often put him at odds with national Democrats. He became a lightning rod for criticism within his own party for opposing some of the Biden administration’s immigration approaches. Still, his long tenure and service in state government have helped him survive multiple tough contests over the years.
Cuellar’s political résumé includes years in the Texas House from 1987 to 2001 and a brief stint as Texas secretary of state in 2001, followed by his first congressional victory in 2004 after beating an incumbent in a primary. Over two decades in Washington have made him a familiar, if at times controversial, figure among both supporters and detractors. His reputation as a centrist Democrat has kept him electorally competitive in a region that has deep conservative roots.
Tano Tijerina captured the Republican nomination decisively, winning about 74.3% to his GOP rival’s 25.7% after switching his party affiliation in December 2024. He earned an endorsement from President Trump and has presented himself as a new conservative voice for South Texas. Tijerina has pitched his candidacy as a corrective to current Democratic policies on the border and cultural issues, arguing voters there are ready for change.
He responded to supporters and party leaders on social media after the victory, writing, “Amen! Let’s work,” in reply to House Speaker Mike Johnson. In another post answering Republican National Committee leaders, he wrote: “It’s our win!” These exact messages summed up the upbeat tone from the GOP after a night that confirmed the party’s investment in flipping seats in South Texas.
Tijerina has been blunt about why he believes the region is shifting, saying, “Being a Democrat after so many years, I’m just sick and tired of seeing all the social issues that the Democrats are [promoting]. And I’m not the only one,” and pointing to local shifts in voting patterns. He added, “We have always been conservative, everybody knows it,” and “Down here in South Texas, the only thing that we care about is good-paying jobs [and] making sure that we’re getting protected.” Those lines have become central to his pitch to voters who feel neglected on jobs and security.
The November matchup will be watched closely in Washington, where Republicans hold a narrow House majority and every seat matters. For Republicans, Tijerina’s campaign is promoted as proof that conservative messages on jobs and border security can resonate in traditionally Democratic territory. For Democrats, Cuellar’s survival in the primary speaks to incumbency and the complicated dynamics of local politics in a district wrestling with national debates.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.