Democratic U.S. House Primary for Texas’ 28th Congressional District Heads to Runoff
The Democratic U.S. House primary for Texas’ 28th congressional district ended in a nail-biting finish on Tuesday night, with neither Jessica Cisneros nor Rep. Henry Cuellar securing enough votes to win outright. The race is now headed to a runoff in May, as both candidates fell short of the 50 percent threshold required to clinch the nomination.
Cuellar, a conservative Democrat with controversial positions, had a narrow lead over Cisneros, prompting a fierce battle for the runoff election. Cisneros, a 28-year-old immigration attorney, has the backing of progressive groups and ran on a platform that includes Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, and comprehensive immigration reform.
The race took a dramatic turn in January when the FBI raided Cuellar’s home and campaign headquarters as part of a federal grand jury probe related to organizations tied to Azerbaijan. Cisneros and her allies seized on this development to highlight allegations of corruption against Cuellar, which may have swayed some voters in the final weeks of the campaign.
The outcome of this runoff election will have significant implications for the Democratic Party, particularly its progressive wing. With high-profile endorsements from figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Cisneros represents a challenge to the establishment and a push for more progressive policies within the party.
As the runoff election approaches, all eyes will be on Texas’ 28th congressional district to see which candidate emerges victorious and what it means for the future of the Democratic Party.
