AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The Texas census confirmed that US envoy Henry Cuelar won Tuesday in his main race against progressive contender Jessica Cisneros, who fell behind by less than 200 votes after a run-off in May.
Cuelar, a nine-seat congressman, defeated Cisneros by 289 votes, according to a census announced by the Texas Democratic Party.
The Associated Press had not previously announced a winner in the race, as it was too close to announce.
This is the second time Cisneros, a 29-year-old immigration attorney who was once interned in Cuelar, has lost a challenge to his former boss, whose moderate Spanish-speaking experience on the southern border of Texas sometimes brings him into line with Republicans on issues including abortion and weapons.
This time, Cisneros came even closer than in 2020, when he lost 4 percentage points behind national support from the party’s progressive leaders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. They backed her up in a rematch with abortion rights groups, which rushed into the race when the US Supreme Court signaled it could overturn Rowe against Wade.
“With this small difference, it’s clear that without their aggressive intervention in the lives of South Texas families, we would have won,” Cisneros said. “The biggest thing that keeps us from pursuing the change we deserve is their fear. Fear of change, fear of the future. But the only way to overcome fear is with the courage and determination that in the richest nation in the world, we all deserve to thrive. ”
Cuelar is one of the last Democrats against abortion in Congress and has also opposed the party for years over his support for gun rights and a tougher stance on immigration. But he still retained the support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat leadership.
“For those who did not vote for me, as your congressman, I will continue to work hard for you in Washington,” Cuelar said. “While we may differ on certain positions, we share common points on many issues to improve our communities and strengthen families.
Cuelar will face Republican Cassie Garcia in November in a Democrat-friendly district, but the GOP has growing confidence in South Texas, a longtime stronghold of Democrats after Republican Myra Flores threw an open seat in Congress in Tuesday’s special election.
Add Comment