GOP Texas redistricting backfires

The latest: In the districts targeted by the GOP, South Texas Democratic U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez won reelection.

• Democrat Johnny Garcia defeated President Trump-endorsed Carlos De La Cruz in the San Antonio region and Houston-area Democrat Leticia Gutierrez beat Republican Alex Mealer, also endorsed by Trump.
• Plus: Republican U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz lost reelection to Tejano star and Democrat Bobby Pulido in the Rio Grande Valley, and Democrat Katy Padilla Stout beat Republican Brandon Herrera in the sprawling 23rd District that hasn't elected a Democrat since Pete Gallego in 2012.

Catch up quick: Texas Republicans last year, at the urging of Trump, kicked off a nationwide redistricting war for control of the U.S. House — but the party leaned on past gains with Latino voters in South Texas, and that support eroded.

• Republicans were also facing a difficult environment nationally, as the party faced sinking approval ratings for Trump and high gas prices amid the Iran war.

Here's what you need to know.

9th District

Gutierrez and Mealer competed for the redrawn Houston-area seat left vacant after longtime incumbent Democrat Al Green ran in a neighboring district.

• Gutierrez emphasized the high cost of living and government accountability.

15th District

Monica De La Cruz has represented the district since 2023 and is the first Republican to have ever won it.

Catch up quick: On paper, the district was redrawn to boost Republican support. But Pulido appealed to voters who have soured on Trump's deportation tactics and handling of the economy.

23rd District

Although not a target in the GOP redistricting, this race grew more competitive after former Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales resigned and dropped his reelection bid after admitting to an affair with a staff member before she died by suicide.

Catch up quick: Republican Brandon Herrera, known as "The AKGuy" on YouTube, took criticism for his past comments online, including calling a Nazi submachine gun the "original ghetto blaster."

• Padilla Stout, an attorney and former teacher, seized on the opportunity of an open seat and painted Herrera as too extreme for the district, which includes Uvalde.

28th District

The seat long held by Cuellar was made more friendly to Republicans during redistricting. But the GOP appeared to pull back its efforts in the final windup to Election Day.

Catch up quick: National Republicans last month cut $3 million in ads targeting Cuellar, an acknowledgement of the uphill battle Republican Tano Tijerina, Webb County judge, faced to defeat him.

• Cuellar has long been considered one of the most conservative Democrats in the U.S. House. He was indicted in 2024 on conspiracy and bribery charges, which he denied. He received a full pardon from Trump last year.

34th District

Gonzalez has held office for five terms. Texas Republicans made his district more friendly to Republicans, but Democrats believed Gonzalez was known to voters and would hold the seat.

• Republican Eric Flores is an attorney and former Texas Army National Guard infantry captain.

35th District

Redistricting turned this seat from an urban, Democratic stronghold to a more rural GOP pickup opportunity encompassing south San Antonio. There was no incumbent.

Catch up quick: Although drawn for a Republican, Democrats believed they had a shot at keeping it blue, especially as the GOP struggled to maintain its appeal with Latino voters.

• Carlos De La Cruz, brother of Monica De La Cruz and an Air Force veteran, was endorsed by Trump.
• Democrat Garcia, a Bexar County sheriff's deputy, was willing to criticize his party and painted himself as a moderate Democrat to win the seat.