Republicans Cassy Garcia, Sandra Whitten compete in South Texas congressional runoff

The nation is watching South Texas, eager to see whether moderate U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar will overcome a progressive challenger in a hard-fought campaign in Texas’ 28th Congressional District. But while the Democrats mix it up ahead of the May 24 runoff election, another contest is playing out quietly in the same district. On the Republican side, Cassy Garcia, a former staffer for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, is facing off against preschool director Sandra Whitten, the 2020 GOP nominee for the seat. As early voting begins Monday, both candidates are rushing to make their final pitches to voters and hitting all the usual points: the border, inflation, oil and gas. And, more than anything, they’re trying to get people to actually show up to the polls. Just 17 percent of registered voters in District 28 cast ballots in the primary, in line with statewide totals.

“It comes down to turnout,” said Jon Taylor, a professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. “It comes down to retail politics. It comes down to kissing babies and going to rotary clubs to give speeches — particularly at a time of year when college is winding down, there's college commencement, there are high school graduations, there are quinceañeras, and Memorial Day is coming.” Garcia, with a massive fundraising advantage and support from D.C. Republicans, finished first in a field of seven candidates during the March primary. She captured 23.5 percent of the vote to Whitten’s 18 percent and is considered the favorite to win the nomination. Garcia’s and Whitten’s platforms are similar, and both highlighted border security and energy independence as top issues. Both are young women with roots in South Texas, initially jumping into the race with the hopes of unseating Cuellar. Republicans have been expanding their presence in South Texas over the past two years, energized by GOP gains there during the 2020 presidential election. South Texas has long been considered a Democratic stronghold, but Republicans are hoping to ride the momentum of a midterm election widely expected to lean red. In 2020, the 28th district elected President Joe Biden over former President Donald Trump by just 7 percentage points.