When Texas Republicans redrew the 35th Congressional District, the goal was clear: stretch it from Austin to San Antonio, absorb more rural red territory, and flip a blue seat red. President Trump even rallied in San Antonio for GOP nominee Carlos De La Cruz, whose sister Monica already serves in Congress. On paper, the math looked solid, especially with Trump having won the district by 10 points in 2024.

But maps don’t vote, and the political ground has shifted. Trump’s popularity has slumped since 2024, and there are early signs that Hispanic voters, a critical bloc in this district, may be swinging back toward Democrats. That has turned what looked like a safe redraw into a genuine toss-up. The Democratic candidate, Johnny Garcia, is a Bexar County Sheriff’s deputy, and national Democrats are treating the open seat as a real pickup opportunity. A political science professor at UT San Antonio expects the race to be close enough to watch on election night.

For voters here in the Waxahachie area, the 35th District race matters beyond its borders. It’s a test of whether redistricting alone can hold a seat when voter sentiment shifts. If Democrats win here, it sends a signal that could ripple through Texas politics for years. If Republicans hold it, the redraw strategy gets validated. Either way, it’s one of the most revealing races on the ballot this cycle. What’s your read on how this one plays out?