Incumbent Henry Cuellar (D), Tano Tijerina (R), and Marlon Duran (G) are running in the general election to represent Texas' 28th Congressional District on Nov. 3.

Following mid-decade redistricting, the district was redrawn to one that President Donald Trump (R) would have won 54.8%-44.4%, compared to 53.1%-45.8% under pre-redistricting lines. This makes it one of 23 Democratic-held U.S. House districts up for election in 2026 that Trump won in the 2024 presidential election. Spectrum News 1's James Barragan wrote, "Congressional District 28 has been redrawn to cover more areas that swung for Trump in 2024. Republicans drew it that way to give their candidate an added advantage in this year’s midterms. But Democrats have pushed back on that argument, noting that Latinos are swinging away from Trump this year and back toward their party."

A major issue heading into the election is the Biden administration's May 2024 indictment of Cuellar for bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy. The indictment alleged that Cuellar and his wife accepted $600,000 from an Azerbaijan-run oil-and-gas company and a Mexican bank. According to Barragan, Tijerina said that "the legal battle over those charges neutralized what Cuellar claims to be one of his biggest successes in Congress: his position on the House Appropriations Committee['s Subcommittee on Homeland Security], which helps him bring federal dollars to his district." House Democratic rules required Cuellar to leave the committee after being indicted. Trump pardoned Cuellar and his wife in December 2025, allowing Cuellar to retake his leadership position on the subcommittee. Following the pardon, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter changed its rating from Toss-up to Lean Democratic.

Cuellar has represented the district since 2005. Cuellar also served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1987 to 2001 and as the Texas secretary of state in 2001. Before entering politics, he was a private practice lawyer. Cuellar says, "I remain focused on my work for the 28th District of Texas, where border security, bringing costs down, and protecting Medicare and Social Security are top priorities."

Tijerina has served as Webb County judge since 2015. Originally elected as a Democrat, Tijerina switched parties in December 2024. Before his judgeship, Tijerina played minor league baseball and worked in the ranching industry. Tijerina says, "As County Judge I've made Webb County more affordable by: [c]utting property taxes five times, [d]elivering $20 million in utility relief ... [and e]xpanding healthcare access ... I’m ready to deliver results to DISTRICT 28."

The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 120th Congress. All 435 U.S. House districts are up for election.

Currently, Republicans have a 219-212 majority with four vacancies in the U.S. House. To read more about the U.S. House elections taking place this year, click here.