- A SuperPAC aligned with House Republican Leadership has made $15.7 million in ad reservations for several battleground Congressional races in South Texas
- Democrats also have their eyes on these seats, with a Democrat SuperPAC announcing $22.2 million in ad reservations across Texas
- National Republicans have begun aggressive messaging targeting Democrat incumbents and candidates in these battleground districts
Several South Texas Congressional races are shaping up to be among the most hotly contested in the country, as SuperPACs aligned with both Republican and Democratic leadership in the U.S. House announced millions of dollars in ad reservations in Texas media markets.
The Congressional Leadership Fund, which is endorsed by House Republican leadership, announced $15.7 million in advertising reservations across Texas to support Republicans in targeted Congressional races. The reservations include spending on broadcast, cable, streaming, and digital platforms.
The Texas media markets included in the Congressional Leadership Fund’s ad reservation are Corpus Christi ($1.6 million), El Paso ($1.8 million), Harlingen ($10.3 million), and Laredo ($2 million).
The House Majority PAC, aligned with House Democratic leadership, announced $22.2 million in ad reservations across Texas. The reservations include the Corpus Christi ($2.35 million), Harlingen ($13 million), Laredo ($682,500), and San Antonio ($6.16 million).
While the announcements do not list the specific races targeted by either group, the advertising buys indicate spending in two districts where Republicans hope to defeat Democrat incumbents (Congressional Districts 28 and 34), one district where Democrats are seeking to oust a Republican incumbent (Congressional District 15), and one vacant seat formerly held by a Republican (Congressional District 23).
Congressional District 15, represented by Republican Monica De La Cruz, was carried by President Trump by 17.9 points in 2024. Despite President Trump’s strength in the district, national Democrats have high hopes that Tejano recording artist Bobby Pulido can capitalize on his notoriety to flip the seat. The district includes portions of the Harlingen and Corpus Christi media markets.
Congressional District 23, which includes the San Antonio and El Paso media markets, was recently vacated by former Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales amid calls for his expulsion following allegations of sexual misconduct. Republican Brandon Herrera will face Democrat Katy Padilla Stout in November. In 2024, President Trump won this district by 14.8 points.
Embattled Democrat Congressman Henry Cuellar faces Republican Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina in Congressional District 28. President Trump carried the district, which includes the Laredo and Harlingen media markets, by 10.4 points in 2024.
Republican Army veteran and former federal prosecutor Eric Flores is challenging Democrat Congressman Vicente Gonzalez in Congressional District 34. The district, which includes parts of the Harlingen and Corpus Christi media markets, saw a 10.1 point margin of victory for President Trump in 2024.
National Republican groups have already begun aggressive messaging against Pulido, Cuellar, and Gonzalez.
Last week, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) began running ads hammering Cuellar and Gonzalez for “voting for the largest tax hike since World War II.” The ads also accuse the Democrat Congressmen of siding “with Bernie & AOC to vote against critical tax relief for you.”
The NRCC has also highlighted Pulido’s ties to a registered sex offender who played in his band. According to a report by the New York Post, Pulido’s bandmate continued to tour with Pulido even after he was released from prison after being convicted of a felony involving indecent conduct with an eight-year-old girl.
“Misogynistic Bobby Pulido’s pattern is clear: bad judgment, worse excuses, and zero accountability. Texans deserve someone who can be trusted to protect their families, not someone who spent years sharing the stage with a band of pedophiles and now wants Texans to believe he had no idea,” said NRCC Spokesman Christian Martinez.
