House Speaker Mike Johnson tours South Texas to boost GOP congressional bids
Speaker Mike Johnson is traveling through South Texas this week to campaign with Republican candidates in four House districts as the party seeks to hold or expand its narrow majority.
House Speaker Mike Johnson arrived in South Texas to support Republican contenders across four congressional districts, underscoring the region’s significance for the party’s control of the House. The speaker, overseeing a 218-212 GOP majority, aims to retain the current margin or add seats in November, targeting three Democratic-held districts reshaped by the state legislature to aid Republicans. He will join candidates such as Carlos De La Cruz in the 35th District, Monica De La Cruz in the 15th, Tano Tijerina in the 28th, and Eric Flores in the 34th, each facing Democratic opponents.
All four districts, which voted for Donald Trump in 2024, are classified as competitive by the Cook Political Report. Johnson’s South Texas swing is part of a broader travel schedule conducted while Congress is on recess, following earlier stops in places like San Antonio.
Why it matters
The speaker’s South Texas tour could influence tightly contested House races that determine which party controls Congress.
How this story developed
- Aug 14 Alaska Senate Contest Centers on Fish Policy, Corporate Influence and Indigenous Rights
- Aug 17 Two Senate contests that Donald Trump carried by double-digit margins in 2024 are now listed as competitive, with Democrat James Talarico facing scandal-tainted Republican Ken Paxton in Texas and a vacant Iowa seat moving to a toss-up. The Texas governor race slipped from "Solid Republican" to "Likely Republican," while the Iowa Senate race shifted to "lean Democrat." These adjustments come amid declining Trump approval and mounting scandals affecting GOP candidates.
- Aug 17 Days before Alaska’s Senate primary, candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign confirmed that longtime adviser Anton McParland is no longer on staff, sparking concerns about the race.
- Aug 18 A court challenge to Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.’s ballot filing was resolved, allowing his name to appear on the primary ballot.
- Aug 18 Peltola dismissed campaign manager Elisa Rios and a deputy campaign manager days before the primary.
- Aug 19 Primary results now show Mary Peltola leading Dan Sullivan.
- Aug 21 Donald Trump appeared at a Myrtle Beach rally backing Sen. Darline Graham, prompting Republican operatives in swing states to question his allocation of support.
- Aug 21 Trump made an in‑person appearance to endorse Graham ahead of the runoff.
- Aug 22 Trump held a rally in Myrtle Beach urging voters to support Graham ahead of the runoff.
- Aug 22 The Cook Political Report updated its ratings for the Texas and Iowa Senate contests.
- Aug 22 Peltola pulled ahead in the Alaska Senate primary, holding roughly 48% of the vote as results came in.
- Aug 23 Alaska Supreme Court reinstated retired‑teacher Dan Sullivan’s candidacy, allowing him to appear on the November ballot.
- Aug 24 A runoff election has been scheduled for Tuesday.
- Aug 24 Early voting for the runoff recorded 63,712 ballots, slightly ahead of the 61,775 cast in the primary.
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