Who is running and what to know

Key Points:

• Texas Republicans' 2025 mid-decade redistricting aimed to increase GOP dominance by redrawing five majority-Hispanic districts, four of which border Mexico, to favor Republicans, but demographic shifts and declining Trump approval among Texas Latinos have improved Democrats' chances.
• Key battleground districts include the 9th, 15th, 23rd, 28th, 34th, and 35th Congressional Districts, each with majority Hispanic populations and competitive races featuring incumbents and challengers from both parties, with issues like border security, healthcare, and economic development at the forefront.
• In the 9th District, Republican Alex Mealer is favored over Democrat Leticia Gutierrez in a newly redrawn GOP-leaning district; in the 15th, incumbent Republican Monica De La Cruz faces Democrat Bobby Pulido, a popular Tejano musician, in a Trump-friendly district.
• The 23rd District is vacant after Rep. Tony Gonzales' resignation, with Republican Brandon Herrera, a gun rights activist, narrowly leading Democrat Katy Padilla Stout in a race reflecting sharp contrasts on gun control, immigration, and abortion.
• South Texas swing districts like the 28th and 34th pit longtime Democrat incumbents Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez against well-funded Republican challengers Tano Tijerina and Eric Flores, respectively, while the newly redrawn 35th District is a key battleground with Republican Carlos De La Cruz facing Democrat Johnny Garcia.