Henry Cuellar Wins Texas Primary, Sets Up Showdown With Trump-Backed Tijerina in November

Cuellar Clinches Democratic Nomination in Texas Border District

Rep. Henry Cuellar, the longtime Democratic representative of Texas' 28th Congressional District, comfortably fended off a primary challenge Tuesday, securing his party's nomination for another term in a southern border seat he has held for two decades. The victory positions him for what promises to be a fiercely contested November battle against Trump-endorsed Republican Tano Tijerina.

With 97% of ballots tallied, Cuellar captured 58.1% of the vote compared to challenger Ricardo Villarreal's 36.9% — a commanding margin of more than 21 percentage points. A third candidate, Andrew Vantine, finished well behind with just 5% of the vote.

A Primary Shadowed by Controversy

Cuellar's path to renomination was not without turbulence. The congressman faced heightened scrutiny following a federal indictment last year on bribery charges — allegations he firmly denied, dismissing them as politically motivated. His allies echoed that sentiment, and the case ultimately drew an unexpected twist when President Donald Trump granted Cuellar an unconditional pardon, also suggesting the charges had been driven by political agendas.

Following the pardon, speculation mounted that Cuellar might cross the aisle and join the Republican Party. He quickly put those rumors to rest, reaffirming his commitment to the Democratic Party. Despite the legal clouds hanging over his campaign and ongoing internal party debates over border policy, Cuellar's constituents delivered a clear verdict in his favor.

Cuellar's Political Legacy in South Texas

One of the last self-described "blue dog" conservative Democrats remaining in the House, Cuellar has built a career defined by moderate stances and a willingness to diverge from his party's mainstream positions. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1987 to 2001 and briefly held the role of Texas Secretary of State in 2001, making him the most recent Democrat to serve in a Texas statewide office.

First elected to Congress in 2004 after defeating incumbent Ciro Rodriguez in a primary, Cuellar has since maintained a firm grip on his district, winning re-election multiple times despite facing increasingly competitive primary races in recent cycles. He was notably vocal in his criticism of the Biden administration's approach to immigration and border security — a stance that distinguishes him from many of his Democratic colleagues.

Tijerina Wins GOP Nomination with Commanding Margin

On the Republican side, South Texas Judge Tano Tijerina — backed by President Trump — secured the GOP nomination with a decisive 74.3% of the vote, compared to Eileen Day's 25.7%, according to the Associated Press. With 91% of ballots counted, Tijerina's margin of victory stood at nearly 49 percentage points.

Tijerina, who formally switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in December 2024, cited a fundamental misalignment with the Democratic Party's direction as his reason for the change. Shortly after his victory was announced, he took to social media to celebrate, responding to House Speaker Mike Johnson's congratulations with a simple but spirited message: "Amen! Let's work."

A 'New Generation' of South Texas Leadership

Tijerina has positioned himself as a champion of what he calls a "new generation" of political leadership in South Texas — one that he argues better reflects the region's traditionally conservative values despite the district's long history as a Democratic stronghold.

Speaking to Fox News Digital on the campaign trail, Tijerina pointed to shifting voter sentiment driven by the Biden administration's handling of the southern border and its focus on social and diversity initiatives.

"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," he said. "That's why Webb County, that's why South Texas, voted for Trump by double digits."

He emphasized that South Texas communities have always leaned conservative at heart, with priorities centered on economic opportunity and public safety. "Down here in South Texas, the only thing that we care about is good-paying jobs and making sure that we're getting protected," Tijerina added.

November Showdown in a Critical District

The stage is now set for a high-profile November matchup between Cuellar and Tijerina in a district stretching from San Antonio to the Rio Grande Valley. With Republicans currently holding a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives, the outcome of this race could carry significant implications for the balance of power in Congress. Political observers across the country will be watching this contest closely as both candidates gear up for what is expected to be an intensely competitive general election campaign.