How To Use This Guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Rank the two or three that matter most to you, such as trade and tariffs, immigration enforcement, data centers, fuel prices or health care.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House and U.S. Senate write federal law and set the federal budget, including tariffs, border enforcement and infrastructure money. The Laredo ballot question asks city voters for advice on pediatric hospital care.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then read the candidates’ own words and who funds each campaign.

The U.S. House Race

What This Office Does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. All bills that raise taxes must start in the House. The 28th District runs along the border from Maverick County to McAllen and includes Laredo, whose port handles a large share of U.S. trade with Mexico, according to the Texas Tribune’s race overview. Nearly 87% of eligible voters in the district are Hispanic. ​

Republican lawmakers redrew the district in 2025 as part of a mid-decade redistricting plan, making it slightly more Republican. President Donald Trump would have carried the new lines by 10 points in 2024. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed Texas to use the new map for 2026 in December 2025, according to ABC News’ report on the ruling. The Texas Legislature’s redistricting office lists the map as Plan C2333.

Candidates In Brief

Republican Tano Tijerina has served as Webb County judge, the county’s top elected official, since 2015. Tijerina is a former Democrat who joined the Republican Party shortly after the 2024 election and has emphasized a record of cutting county tax rates.

Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) of Laredo has served in Congress for nearly 22 years and sits on the House Appropriations Committee. Cuellar and Cuellar’s wife, Imelda, were indicted in May 2024 on federal bribery charges, which they denied. Trump pardoned both in December 2025, according to KGNS. Cuellar won the old district by nearly 6 points in 2024 while Trump carried it by 7.

Green Party candidate Marlón Gerardo Durán is a professional translator and progressive activist who has worked on local and federal campaigns. Durán holds a degree in organizational leadership from South Texas College, according to the San Antonio Report.

Where They Stand

Tariffs and trade. Tijerina says Trump “is doing an incredible job” on trade and that the tariff situation needs to be balanced. Cuellar says tariffs have hurt the district and criticizes Tijerina’s 2025 comments supporting tariff increases, saying “You don’t say that in Laredo, the largest port of entry in the country.”

Immigration enforcement. Cuellar, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds homeland security, says “ICE should be focusing on criminals, not on families, Dreamers, construction workers.”

Data centers and utility bills. Cuellar filed the Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act in August. Tijerina backs a ratepayer protection pledge and says data centers should generate their own water and electricity.

Infrastructure and federal money. Tijerina says “In Webb County, we’re $1.5 billion behind on infrastructure” and questions why Cuellar has not brought that money home. Cuellar points to federal money for Title I schools, health clinics and water line projects.

Who gets credit for local aid. A Tijerina ad credits Tijerina with expanding Meals on Wheels and delivering $20 million in utility assistance in Webb County. Cuellar says that money came from federal grants Cuellar secured through the Appropriations Committee or from programs Cuellar voted for, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Tijerina says the credit belongs to the cities and counties that apply for the grants.

In Their Own Words

Tano Tijerina, per the Texas Tribune:

“It’s not about Republican, it’s not about Democrat.”

Henry Cuellar, per the Texas Tribune:

“I always say I’m a member of Congress, but I run as a mayor.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Tijerina and Cuellar both gave interviews to the Texas Tribune for its Wednesday, Sept. 9 race overview. Neither candidate has answered Ballotpedia’s candidate survey.

Endorsements

Trump endorsed Tijerina on Tuesday, Jan. 6, before the March primary, calling Cuellar’s decision to keep running as a Democrat after the pardon “a great act of disloyalty,” according to KGNS.

In the primary, Cuellar was endorsed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and Democratic Majority for Israel, according to AllCiv’s race page.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as summarized on the candidates’ AllCiv pages. Cuellar reported raising about $3 million, spending about $2.4 million and holding about $657,000 in cash, with about $301,000 in debt. Tijerina reported raising about $1.9 million, spending about $1.7 million and holding about $113,000. Durán reported no FEC fundraising.

Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings. Smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total, so small donors’ names are not public.

The Incumbent’s Record

Cuellar is the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee and also serves on its Defense and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs subcommittees. Cuellar’s caucuses include the Blue Dog Coalition, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Problem Solvers Caucus.

In the current Congress, Cuellar has voted in 636 of 645 roll-call votes and voted against a majority of House Democrats 142 times out of 599, the highest rate of any House member, according to Legis1 records. None of the four bills and resolutions Cuellar has sponsored this Congress has passed the House.

Challengers’ Records

Tijerina has led Webb County government as county judge since 2015. Durán has not held public office.

The U.S. Senate Race

What This Office Does

U.S. senators serve six-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. The Senate also confirms presidential nominees, including federal judges and Cabinet members, and approves treaties. The seat is open because Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) lost the Republican primary runoff. The race has drawn more than $247 million in ad spending, according to the Associated Press.

Candidates In Brief

Republican Ken Paxton has been Texas attorney general since 2015. The Texas House impeached Paxton in 2023, and the Texas Senate acquitted Paxton of all charges. Paxton defeated Cornyn 64% to 36% in the Tuesday, May 26 runoff, according to KSAT.

Democratic state Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin) is serving a fourth term in the Texas House and previously taught middle school in San Antonio, according to the Texas Tribune’s Senate candidate Q&A. Talarico won the Tuesday, March 3 Democratic primary over Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX).

Libertarian Ted Brown is a self-employed insurance adjuster, vice chair of the Libertarian Party of Travis County and a former chair of the Libertarian Party of California.

Where They Stand

Iran. Talarico says “I will vote in support of a war powers resolution” requiring Congress to authorize the war. Brown says “I’m opposed to the Iran War, which is Trump’s war of choice.” Paxton said in August, “I’m supportive of what the president is doing.”

Fuel prices. Talarico says “I will suspend the federal gas tax.” Brown says “I would repeal the federal gas tax completely.” Paxton supports permanently repealing the federal gas tax and backs more domestic oil and gas production.

Tariffs. Talarico says “It’s time to repeal these crazy tariffs.” Brown says the president lacks constitutional authority to impose tariffs alone.

Data centers. Talarico wants to “make sure AI data centers aren’t using up our water and jacking up our utility prices.” Paxton calls data centers “a yes with conditions,” wants the industry to pay its own infrastructure costs and backs ending state sales tax breaks for it. Brown is generally against regulation but says “some proposals have merit.”

Border wall in Big Bend. Talarico and Brown oppose building a border wall through Big Bend. Paxton called the construction plans “not smart border security” and welcomed the administration’s pause in August.

Medical care for transgender minors. Talarico says “I do not support gender reassignment surgery for minors.” Paxton opposes transition care for minors and, as attorney general, issued an opinion that the state’s ban covers mental health providers. Brown says the federal government should have no authority over the doctor-patient relationship.

Marijuana and hemp. Talarico would support legalizing marijuana for adults. Brown opposes any federal regulation of cannabis or hemp. Paxton, as attorney general, sued Dallas over a local measure decriminalizing marijuana offenses.

In Their Own Words

Ken Paxton, on data centers, at a U.S. Hispanic Business Council event on Monday, Sept. 28, per the Texas Tribune:

“Let’s not put it right next to somebody’s house.”

James Talarico, asked whether Congress should require AI “kill switches,” in the Texas Tribune’s candidate Q&A:

“Yes, but we have to go beyond that.”

Ted Brown, on the same question:

“I don’t trust either the AI industry or government officials.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Talarico and Brown answered the Texas Tribune’s candidate Q&A, published Tuesday, Oct. 13, and Paxton declined. No debate has been held. Talarico has challenged Paxton to three televised debates, and Trump called for one after an October rally. Paxton’s campaign said in July that Paxton would debate but later objected to proposed moderators, and no debate has been announced.

Endorsements

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Paxton on Sunday, Oct. 18, according to Bloomberg Government. Trump has campaigned with Paxton.

The Dallas Morning News editorial board endorsed Talarico. Neil Bush, a Republican and the brother of former President George W. Bush, said on Monday, Oct. 26, that Neil Bush voted for Talarico, citing Talarico’s “integrity, civility, humility.” Barbara Bush, the former president’s daughter, gave $2,500 to a super PAC backing Talarico, according to CBS Austin.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from FEC reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as summarized on the candidates’ AllCiv pages. Talarico reported raising about $146.3 million, spending about $136.4 million and holding about $9.9 million in cash. Paxton reported raising about $22.3 million, spending about $17.5 million and holding about $4.8 million. Brown reported raising about $14,000.

Outside money has favored Paxton. Elon Musk gave about $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with Senate Republican leaders, and its Texas affiliate has spent more than $159 million on ads in the race, according to the Texas Tribune’s report on Musk’s spending. America PAC, also funded by Musk, had spent $18.8 million, more than 80% of it on ads against Talarico.

The Incumbent’s Record

No incumbent is on the ballot. Cornyn, who lost the Republican runoff, serves until January.

Challengers’ Records

Paxton served in the Texas House from 2003 to 2013 and the Texas Senate from 2013 to 2015 before becoming attorney general. Talarico was first elected to the Texas House in 2018. Brown has not held public office.

Scorecards Readers Can Check

The League of Conservation Voters scorecard rates environmental votes, and the Heritage Action scorecard rates votes from a conservative perspective. Both grade Cuellar, and because each group picks different votes, their ratings measure different things.

Also On Your Ballot

City of Laredo Proposition 1: Pediatric hospital services. Laredo voters will see a nonbinding question asking whether the city should support efforts to expand pediatric hospital services in the Laredo and Webb County area. The question also asks whether the city should encourage Webb County to evaluate its options under state law, according to KGNS’ report on the Laredo referendum. A Yes vote advises the City Council to support those efforts, and a No vote advises against them. Approval would not authorize a city hospital, any tax or debt, or any obligation on the county. City officials say the vote adds no cost because it shares the Nov. 3 ballot.

The City Council called the vote on Monday, Aug. 17. Mayor Victor Treviño, who sought the referendum, says Laredo has one of the largest pediatric populations in Texas and no inpatient pediatric hospital services. Council Member Melissa Cigarroa voted against it, questioning whether an advisory question is a proper referendum under state law. Only counties, not cities, can create hospital districts in Texas, which is why the question asks the city to encourage the county.

Before You Go

Still Ahead

  • Early voting ends Friday, Oct. 30. Hours and locations vary by county.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your polling place at VoteTexas.gov.
  • Mail ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day and arrive by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, according to VoteTexas.gov’s carrier envelope guide.
  • ID: Bring one of Texas’ seven accepted photo IDs, such as a Texas driver’s license, Texas ID card, U.S. passport or U.S. military ID. If you do not have one and cannot reasonably get one, you can show a supporting document such as a utility bill or bank statement and sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
  • In the booth: You may not use a phone or other wireless device in the voting room, and recording is not allowed within 100 feet of voting stations.
  • Questions: Call the Texas Secretary of State at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683), or call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683), per Election Protection.

Deadlines That Have Passed

  • Registration closed Monday, Oct. 5. Texas does not offer same day registration.
  • Mail ballot applications were due Friday, Oct. 23.

Sources

AllCiv Profiles and Race Pages

Official Records

Candidate Statements and Questionnaires

News

Endorsements

Ballot Measures

Scorecards

Voting Information

---

AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.

---

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article