Progressive Democrats advance in San Antonio-area races for Congress

The top two progressive candidates running in San Antonio-area congressional seats had strong showings on Tuesday, with former Austin City Councilmember Greg Casar winning his race outright and Laredo immigration attorney Jessica Cisneros likely heading to a runoff against incumbent U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar. The Associated Press called the race for Casar just after 11 p.m., and latest returns showed him at 62 percent of the vote in the 35th Congressional District. Over the course of his campaign, Casar pulled in massive outside fundraising and support, including endorsements from U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

“Our campaign has built a movement of working people, from San Antonio to Austin, who are ready to fight because our futures depend on it,” Casar said in a release. “I’m incredibly honored to be the next Democratic nominee for TX-35. Together, we’re taking our fight to the halls of Congress — to fight and deliver on passing Medicare for All, protecting reproductive rights, creating good jobs, and fixing our power grid.” The battle for the district, which stretches down Interstate 35 from Austin to San Antonio, was among Texas’ most watched on Tuesday night. Casar faced three challengers: state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, San Antonio City Councilmember Rebecca Viagran and Carla-Joy Sisco. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, currently represents the district, but he decided to run for a new seat after last year’s redistricting process. The 35th is a deep-blue seat, and Casar is all but certain to win again in November. Still, 10 Republicans are also running for the nomination in the 35th District. Engineer Dan McQueen holds a slight lead over the group with 20 percent of the vote, followed by household manager Michael Rodriguez at 15 percent. About 42 percent of precincts are reporting. That race is one of several San Antonio-area contests that are likely headed to a runoff. Among them: the high-energy primaries on both sides of the aisle in South Texas’ 28th district, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Laredo.