Cuellar and Tijerina clash over federal funding in Texas' 28th District
Incumbent Democrat Henry Cuellar and Republican Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina are campaigning hard for the open House seat in Texas' 28th district, each accusing the other of failing to deliver needed infrastructure money.
During the August congressional recess, Rep. Henry Cuellar made dozens of appearances across his South Texas district, announcing federal funds for Title I schools, health clinics and water-line upgrades that he says stem from his senior position on the House Appropriations Committee. His Republican challenger, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, a former Democrat, counters that the area still trails by $1.5 billion in infrastructure and questions Cuellar’s ability to deliver.
The contest pits Cuellar’s reputation as a “money man” against Tijerina’s record of tax reductions and local program expansions, with both sides trading accusations over who secured federal grants. The district, which voted for Trump by ten points in 2024, is highly Hispanic and has shown strong ticket-splitting, making crossover appeal crucial; a Texas Southern University poll gives Cuellar a 45%-34% lead and notes his support among former Trump voters.
Cuellar, cleared of a bribery indictment after a presidential pardon, also highlights his upcoming role on the Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee, while Tijerina promises to seek an appropriations seat if elected. The outcome will signal how competitive the district remains and could influence the balance of power in the House.
