Texas’ 28th District race

D Democratic Henry Cuellar

Supports smart border enforcement and reform

Cuellar advocates for smart border security and the deportation of violent criminals while opposing family separation and child detention. He emphasizes his leadership as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee to bring federal resources and law enforcement funding to border communities.

• Serves as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
• Secured $61.9 million in Operation Stonegarden funding for Webb County law enforcement since 2008 and $7.9 million for Laredo police hiring.
• Proposes efficient legal pathways and policies written by local border leaders.
• Opposes spending billions to lock up children and separate families.

“Securing the border and deporting violent criminals is common sense. Spending billions to lock up children and tear apart families who have built their lives here is not.”

“I see the reality of the border everyday. It’s my home. That’s why I’m focused on real solutions.”

R Republican Tano Tijerina

Supports border security and targeted reform

Tijerina calls for securing the border, stopping illegal crossings, and enforcing existing immigration laws. He favors a targeted enforcement approach prioritizing individuals with criminal records while expressing openness to practical reform, including guest worker programs and pathways to citizenship for Dreamers.

• Advocates for stopping illegal crossings and supporting law enforcement on the border.
• Favors targeted immigration enforcement prioritizing individuals with criminal records.
• Expresses openness to practical, bipartisan solutions including pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and guest worker programs.
• Pledges to draw on his experience as Webb County Judge to bring real-world border solutions to D.C.

“South Texas lives the reality of the border every single day — this isn’t a talking point, it’s our home.”

“Tano Tijerina believes we must secure the border, enforce the law, and restore order to a broken system.”

D Democratic Henry Cuellar

Touts bipartisan seniority and independence

Cuellar positions himself as an independent, highly bipartisan representative who brings federal investments to South Texas regardless of party control. Following a May 2024 federal indictment on bribery charges, he received a full pardon from President Trump in December 2025, allowing him to regain his House Appropriations subcommittee leadership.

• Senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee.
• Pardoned by President Donald Trump in December 2025 following a May 2024 federal indictment for bribery and conspiracy.
• Maintains a reputation for cross-party cooperation and voting for bipartisan measures like the SAVE Act.

“South Texas didn't send Henry to Washington to be a rubber stamp for either party.”

“I promised to go to Washington to fight for working families. As your Congressman, I work hard to produce real results.”

R Republican Tano Tijerina

Promotes public integrity and D.C. accountability

Tijerina campaigns as a fresh leader focused on accountability, public integrity, and restoring trust in government. A former Democrat who switched to the Republican Party in December 2024 and earned Donald Trump's endorsement, he criticizes career politicians and corruption in Washington.

• Switched party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in December 2024.
• Endorsed by former President Donald Trump for the 2026 election.
• Pledges to eliminate red tape, demand accountability, and put district needs above political party alignment.

“For too long, South Texas has been held back by corruption and the same failed leadership.”

“Tano isn’t going to Washington to become part of the system — he’s going to fix it.”

D Democratic Henry Cuellar

Opposes tariffs and offers consumer rebates

Cuellar focuses on lowering everyday costs for families by opposing broad tariffs, which he labels as hidden taxes on consumer goods. He introduced the American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act to return money directly to households.

• Introduced the American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act to mitigate tariff costs on household items.
• Co-sponsored the largest property tax cut in Texas history during his state legislative tenure.
• Focuses on lowering prices on fuel, groceries, energy, and essentials.

“Tariffs are hidden taxes that raise prices on groceries, fuel, energy, and the household essentials South Texas families count on.”

“Henry's American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act would put money directly back in families' pockets while he works across the aisle to lower costs.”

R Republican Tano Tijerina

Supports tax cuts and fiscal discipline

Tijerina emphasizes cutting property taxes, slashing federal regulations, and reining in federal spending. As Webb County Judge, he lowered local property taxes five times and provided utility relief to residents.

• Lowered property taxes five times in ten years as Webb County Judge.
• Delivered $20 million in utility relief to keep electric and water bills low.
• Pledges to cut federal regulations and lower taxes for families and small businesses.

“As Webb County Judge, he lowered property taxes five times in ten years while still delivering results.”

“It’s simple, families should keep more of what they earn.”

D Democratic Henry Cuellar

Supports trade and border infrastructure investment

Cuellar prioritizes securing federal funding for trade corridors, international bridges, and transportation infrastructure in South Texas. He emphasizes leveraging his Appropriations seat to modernize ports and airports.

• Secured federal appropriations to modernize international bridges and airports in Laredo, McAllen, and San Antonio.
• Delivered funding for the San Antonio Federal Courthouse and local public safety development.
• Focuses on infrastructure investments that support international trade.

“In my hometown of Laredo, trade is our lifeline. And for trade to be successful, we need strong infrastructure.”

“As an appropriator, my top priority is simple: bringing our tax dollars back to South Texas.”

R Republican Tano Tijerina

Supports crypto and responsible tech growth

Tijerina advocates establishing South Texas as an innovation hub for tech, AI, cryptocurrency, and logistics around Laredo's inland port. However, he demands clear protections to ensure data center expansion does not compromise local land, water, or electricity rates.

• Supports clear, fair regulations for cryptocurrency and digital financial innovation.
• Promotes South Texas as a center for AI, logistics, and emerging technology jobs.
• Pledges to protect rural land, water resources, and power grid costs from data center demands.

“Tano supports innovation and believes America should lead the world in emerging technologies like cryptocurrency.”

“Real leadership means getting all the facts first and putting South Texas families ahead of outside interests.”

D Democratic Henry Cuellar

Supports national defense and security funding

Cuellar utilizes his assignments on the Appropriations Defense and Military Construction subcommittees to secure funding for military installations and veteran programs. He maintains strong pro-Israel voting alignments.

• Assigned to the House Appropriations subcommittees on Defense and Military Construction & Veterans Affairs.
• Endorsed by pro-Israel organizations including AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel PAC.
• Advocates for transparency and debate before sending taxpayer dollars overseas.

“When reckless tariffs drive up prices or taxpayer dollars are sent overseas without debate, he says so.”

R Republican Tano Tijerina

Supports America First peace through strength

Tijerina advocates an 'America First' foreign policy grounded in national security, strong alliances, and border defense. He highlights unwavering support for Israel and confronting foreign adversaries.

• Supports standing firmly with international allies, including Israel.
• Calls for confronting hostile foreign regimes that threaten U.S. security.
• Emphasizes protecting critical infrastructure, including inland ports and borders.

“Tano believes in an America First foreign policy rooted in strength, security, and common sense.”

“Peace is achieved through strength — and weakness invites danger.”

D Democratic Henry Cuellar

Protects Medicare, Social Security, and healthcare access

Cuellar prioritizes safeguarding Medicare and Social Security while expanding local healthcare access and higher education funding. His state record includes authoring the TEXAS Grant and establishing Laredo's first CHIP program.

• Authored the TEXAS Grant financial aid program for college students.
• Created the first CHIP program in Laredo, which served as a model for the Texas statewide program.
• Lists protecting Medicare and Social Security among his top priorities in Congress.

“I remain focused on my work for the 28th District of Texas, where border security, bringing costs down, and protecting Medicare and Social Security are top priorities.”

R Republican Tano Tijerina

Supports senior assistance and healthcare access

Tijerina highlights his administrative record as Webb County Judge, where he expanded healthcare access and local senior assistance programs like Meals on Wheels while maintaining balanced budgets.

• Expanded the local Meals on Wheels program for seniors as Webb County Judge.
• Delivered utility relief and expanded local healthcare access in Webb County.
• Emphasizes delivering local social services efficiently without increasing tax burdens.

“As County Judge I've made Webb County more affordable by: [c]utting property taxes five times, [d]elivering $20 million in utility relief ... [and e]xpanding healthcare access ...”