San Antonio, October 12, 2025
News Summary
Johnny Garcia, a public information officer for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, has announced his intention to run for the newly redrawn Texas 35th Congressional District. With nearly two decades of law enforcement experience, Garcia aims to prioritize working- and middle-class families while focusing on economic improvements and affordable healthcare. His campaign, framed around Democratic principles, will tackle issues around transparency and accountability, especially amid concerns over recent redistricting efforts that favor Republican candidates in Texas.
San Antonio — Johnny Garcia, a public information officer for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, announced his intention to run for the newly redrawn Texas 35th Congressional District.
Lead details
The announcement was made in San Antonio alongside Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and family members at Taqueria Mexico on the Southwest Side. Garcia is a lifelong San Antonio resident with nearly two decades of law enforcement experience. He is running as a Democrat with a platform focused on restoring Democratic principles and has framed his campaign around priorities for working- and middle-class families, economic improvement, and affordable health care.
Campaign priorities and motivation
Garcia’s campaign aims to prioritize working- and middle-class families and help improve the economy. He emphasized the importance of making health care affordable and restoring faith in the American dream. His decision to run was influenced by tariffs and the actions of politicians that he believes have harmed Texans. He also expressed concern that the current administration is using law enforcement as a political weapon to divide communities.
Garcia criticized politicians who say one thing and do another and stressed the need for truth and goodwill across party lines in Congress. He plans to leverage his background as a public information officer to bring transparency and truth to his campaign and to provide direct communication with constituents.
Redistricting and political context
The Texas 35th Congressional District was recently redrawn to favor the GOP, a change that affects representation for the area. U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, a Democrat, currently holds the seat but faces redistricting that could change electoral dynamics in the upcoming races. The new congressional map centers around San Antonio and extends into three counties east of the city.
The redistricting is a product of the Texas Legislature’s mid-decade efforts to reshape election maps, which Democrats have criticized as partisan gerrymandering. Garcia’s campaign is part of a larger context of increased political maneuvering in Texas ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
What happened and why it matters
The entry of a local law enforcement public information official into the race highlights how redistricting and statewide policy choices are changing the competitive landscape in Texas congressional races. Garcia’s background in law enforcement and public communications is positioned by his campaign as a tool for transparency. The combination of a newly drawn map, a sitting Democratic representative facing a changed district, and an announced Democratic challenger frames the 35th District as an area to watch in upcoming election cycles.
Next steps and immediate implications
Garcia’s announcement begins the public phase of his campaign. The redrawn map and shifting political calculations are likely to produce further candidate announcements, fundraising activity, and increased campaign attention across the district. Voters in the affected areas can expect an evolving field of candidates and intensified messaging as parties prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.
Frequently asked questions
Who announced candidacy?
Johnny Garcia, a public information officer for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, announced his intention to run for the newly redrawn Texas 35th Congressional District.
Where was the announcement made?
The announcement was made in San Antonio alongside Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and family members at Taqueria Mexico on the Southwest Side.
What is Garcia’s background?
Garcia is a lifelong San Antonio resident with nearly two decades of law enforcement experience.
What party is he running with and what is his platform?
He is running as a Democrat with a platform focused on restoring Democratic principles.
What are his campaign priorities?
His campaign aims to prioritize working- and middle-class families and help improve the economy.
What did Garcia say about health care?
Garcia emphasized the importance of making health care affordable and restoring faith in the American dream.
What motivated his decision to run?
His decision to run was influenced by tariffs and the actions of politicians that he believes have harmed Texans.
Did he express concerns about law enforcement politicization?
He expressed concern that the current administration is using law enforcement as a political weapon to divide communities.
How does he plan to run his campaign?
He plans to leverage his background as a public information officer to bring transparency and truth to his campaign.
What changes occurred to the Texas 35th Congressional District?
The Texas 35th Congressional District was recently redrawn to favor the GOP, affecting representation in the area.
Who currently holds the seat?
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, a Democrat, currently holds the seat but faces redistricting that could change electoral dynamics in the upcoming races.
How was the new map drawn and what is the criticism?
The redistricting is a product of the Texas Legislature’s mid-decade efforts to reshape election maps, which Democrats have criticized as partisan gerrymandering.
How does this fit into broader political context?
Garcia’s campaign is part of a larger context of increased political maneuvering in Texas ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Key features of the announcement and campaign
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Candidate | Johnny Garcia, public information officer for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office |
| Location of announcement | San Antonio — Taqueria Mexico on the Southwest Side |
| Political affiliation | Democrat |
| Primary platform goals | Restoring Democratic principles; prioritize working- and middle-class families; improve the economy; make health care affordable; transparency |
| Experience | Lifelong San Antonio resident with nearly two decades of law enforcement experience |
| District change | Texas 35th Congressional District recently redrawn to favor the GOP; centers around San Antonio and extends into three counties east of the city |
| Incumbent | U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, Democrat (faces changed electoral map) |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| Not specified | Johnny Garcia announced his intention to run for the newly redrawn Texas 35th Congressional District | Announcement made in San Antonio at Taqueria Mexico |
| Recent / mid-decade | The Texas 35th Congressional District was redrawn to favor the GOP | Result of the Texas Legislature’s mid-decade redistricting efforts |
| Ongoing through 2026 | Political maneuvering and campaign activity expected ahead of the 2026 midterm elections | Anticipated campaign developments |
Simple visual chart: Issues highlighted in the announcement
Bars indicate the presence of an issue in the announcement and article; lengths are uniform to reflect that these topics were each raised as campaign focal points.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT News
- Wikipedia: Redistricting in the United States
- Fox San Antonio
- Google Search: Texas 35th Congressional District
- Axios San Antonio
- Google Scholar: Gerrymandering in Texas
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gerrymandering
- KENS5
- Google News: Texas elections 2024
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
