Josh Cortez Announces Intention to Run for Texas Congressional District 35

AUSTIN — Right now, the boundaries of 35th Congressional District stretch from east Austin south to San Antonio. The seat is currently held by Austin Democrat Greg Casar, and the district lines favor Democrats. But change is coming.

New congressional maps approved by Texas lawmakers made significant changes to the boundaries of the 35th District. The maps, which still face legal challenges, redrew the district to cover an area mostly south and east of San Antonio. It’s designed to skew Republican, and it’s led several GOP candidates to declare their intention to run.

Josh Cortez of Guadalupe County announced his candidacy on Aug. 25, just days before Gov. Greg Abbott signed the redistricting map into law. He was the first Republican to formally announce his campaign for the newly-redrawn district. 

“The opportunity to jump in, especially in a region that I know and an area that I have already served, was an opportunity that came along where, in my mind, I’m best qualified for. So that’s why we did it,” Cortez said. 

When asked about his motivations to run for office, Cortez highlighted his experience working as an adviser for U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R – Texas, and his deep roots in the new district. 

“I’m an eighth generation Texan, this is my background, this is my home. These are the people that I know and love, and I have the experience to be able to serve the people of the new 35th District. In my mind, if I’m able to step up to the plate, given my background and my experience both in the private and the public sector, why wouldn’t I?”

After being asked about the most pressing issues for him in this election cycle, Cortez spoke of developing issues that he believes could pose potential issues for Texans in the future.

“Our water tables are rapidly decreasing. Our aquifer is also the same as well. It’s decreasing. Our wells are also going down. And we have an impending water crisis that we knew to address. And that’s something that with the connections I already have in D.C., and my ability to be able to utilize those connections for the good of the people of Texas 35th we’re gonna try to get ahead of.”

Cortez also touched on AI, an issue that he sees as highly impactful to young workers’ future, citing a study that found that 25% of recent college graduates are seeing their entry-level jobs replaced by AI.

“We’re a working district,” he said. “Our ability to put students in some of the vocational schools, junior colleges, or some of the trade schools available, is going to be of high importance. We can have our students and move them towards jobs where AI is not eating up opportunities for them, to be able to make money early on, get their license and also become part of the fabric of the economies of our region.” 

When asked about the most important issue facing voters specifically in the 35th District, Cortez again emphasized the severity of what he said was an impending water crisis. 

“This is going to become a problem that the federal government can help with, whether that’s desalination or piping water in from other areas of the state that we need to get ahead of. If not, we are going to be left holding the bag, and it’s going to become a very catastrophic time for our area.” 

Cortez is entering a crowded primary field. Since August, two other Republicans announced their intent to run in the redrawn district: State Rep. John Lujan, R – San Antonio and trucking business owner Christopher Schuchardt.

Three other Republicans announced their intent to run before the redistricting fight: pastor Ryan Krause, Lauren Peña and Deputy Sheriff Steven Wright. Peña’s posts on social media indicate that she will now campaign for the 37th Congressional District seat.