Greetings everyone. Got to sit down with Johnny Garcia, our nominee in Texas-35, earlier today and am excited to share our conversation with you. You can find a video recording and rough transcript above.
As you will see from our interview Johnny is a terrific candidate. He beat the virulent antisemite Maureen Galindo in the primary run-off election a few weeks ago despite millions of dollars of GOP spend against him (thanks to everyone who contributed to our effort to get him over the finish line). He is now running hard in the general in one of those five Texas districts Republicans redrew in their Trump-inspired efforts to steal seats from us. Here’s Johnny talking about this new district (from our interview):
Texas 35 used to be Congressman Greg Casar’s seat. And initially it stretched from San Antonio all the way up to Austin. But this was one of the five seats that Donald Trump and Greg Abbott redrew to rig the midterm election cycle. And we're seeing that continue to backfire every single day here in Texas.
The lines that they drew initially were intended to favor the Republican opposition, but like I said, we're seeing a lot of fed up folks in this district… independent to include Republicans in this district. It's rooted in San Antonio and it covers the large majority of the north, northeast portions of Bexar County, stretching up to Guadalupe, Wilson and Karnes Counties. So this is a very working class district to include rural Texas, the same folks that are being hit hard by extreme gas prices. Farmers in this community… they're struggling as well. And we're seeing the needle continue to shift towards our favor.
We're continuing to put in the work that we have to in order to win this race. And that's why I'm so excited to be the Democratic nominee in TX-35.
More from Johnny about the race:
We're running against Carlos De La Cruz. He's the Trump endorsed candidate. And, you know, my focus is going to remain the same, focusing on the issues that are affecting everyday people. We don't need another yes man in Congress. We need a fighter for the working man, you know, up at the top. We need a sheriff's deputy in Congress… who can root out the corruption that continues to unfold before our very eyes every single day. But more importantly, we need a SWAT hostage negotiator to bring an end to this standoff with this administration who continues to hold our democracy and economy hostage for working families.
You can donate to Johnny by giving to our Second Wave Fund or by giving to him directly here. Nothing is going to come easy for us in Texas this year, but we have a remarkable shot to make critical gains this November, and I am grateful to all those who have invested with us in the Lone Star State this cycle.
For more on why 2026 is a year of opportunity for us in Texas watch my recent discussion with Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder:
Watch my interview with Johnny Garcia, and consider supporting another one of these proud patriots running across the country this year!
With your help we can do this people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Simon
Bio - Johnny Garcia, US House Candidate Running In TX-35
Johnny Garcia is a lifelong resident of San Antonio and a proud graduate of Memorial High School. Raised by a strong mother in a working-class household, Johnny knows firsthand the challenges that everyday Texans face. From a young age, he understood that if he wanted a better life, he’d have to earn it through hard work, discipline, and service.
Johnny worked construction while attending St. Philip’s community college, determined to grind out a better future the only way he knew how — hard work and education. At the age of 21, he answered the call to serve and joined the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Johnny started his law enforcement career working in the jail, where he led the Inmate Worker Program—a second-chance initiative designed to rehabilitate people in custody through job training and reintegration planning.
From there, he was promoted to patrol, and within just six months was selected to join the elite SWAT Crisis Negotiation Team. As a hostage negotiator, he learned how to handle high-pressure, life-or-death situations with calm, clarity, and compassion—skills that define real leadership.
For the past seven years, Johnny has served as the Public Information Officer for Sheriff Javier Salazar, where he’s helped make the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office one of the most transparent and community-oriented law enforcement agencies in the nation. He’s worked closely with the media, built bridges with the community, and helped lead two successful re-election campaigns for Sheriff Salazar.
Every step of the way, Johnny has proven that public service is about people first, not politics, not power.
An old school Democrat, Johnny is fighting for the voice working families deserve — for people like his mom, and his fellow deputies on patrol, and their children too. He believes hard work should be rewarded, healthcare should be affordable, and safety should be everyone’s priority. And despite what Republicans promised, they’ve lied every step of the way.
Johnny is stepping up to fight for the working class of Texas, because when working families are put first, Texas prospers. He’s running to make sure the people of District 35 see results… not in talking points, but in their wallets, their schools, and their neighborhoods.
He believes true public safety means more than tough talk, it means ensuring kids feel safe in school, families can access healthcare, and communities can thrive with affordable housing and economic opportunity. And it means doing the hard work in Washington to renew the American promise for everyone, no matter their background, zip code, or bank account.
Learn more about Johnny and his run for Congress here.
