Trump backs Carlos De La Cruz for Texas’ 35th District seat
Trump endorses Carlos De La Cruz, a retired Air Force veteran and small business owner, in the November general election for Texas' redrawn 35th Congressional District.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump endorsed Carlos De La Cruz, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and small business owner, for the U.S. House seat in Texas’ 35th Congressional District.
Trump made the endorsement in a truthsocial post that included a video address urging voters to back De La Cruz in the November general election. He cited the candidate’s military service and his record as a business owner.
Here is the full post on truthsocial: “ Carlos De La Cruz has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next U.S. Representative from Texas’ 35th Congressional District — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Trump” on September 18, 2026 at 2:30 PM ET.
This is Trump’s 17th message released today, and the last post was 0 minutes ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 89 of his 578 posts over the last 30 days classified as Elections posts.
In the video, Trump described De La Cruz as a fighter who spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force before becoming a small business owner. He said the candidate would vote to support farmers and ranchers, defend border security and cut taxes if elected. Trump also said De La Cruz would deliver free and fair elections by passing the Save America Act. Trump closed the address by asking Texans to vote for De La Cruz on November 3rd.
De La Cruz won the Republican runoff for Texas Congressional District 35 in May 2026, defeating state Rep. John Lujan in a closely contested race, according to tpr. The Air Force veteran and conservative activist campaigned on border security, government spending and expanding Republican support in South Texas, according to tpr. Supporters gathered at Retama Park in San Antonio as De La Cruz celebrated the win and thanked Trump for the earlier endorsement, according to tpr. He now advances to face Democrat Johnny Garcia, a Bexar County sheriff’s deputy who emerged from a contentious Democratic runoff, according to tpr.
The candidate is the brother of U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, who represents Texas’ 15th Congressional District, according to texastribune. The 35th District is one of several redrawn by Texas Republicans, with new boundaries covering parts of San Antonio and outlying eastern areas in Bexar, Guadalupe, Wilson and Karnes counties, according to texastribune. He deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and the U.S.-Mexico border during his military career before retiring, according to discoverlatinoleaders. After his service, he and his wife founded a kickboxing gym in San Antonio, and he later founded an IT company that grew to more than 550 employees, according to discoverlatinoleaders.
De La Cruz raised more than $1 million in total receipts through June 30, 2026, and reported ending cash on hand of $272,388.92, according to fec.gov. His authorized committee is Carlos for Congress, and he filed his statement of candidacy in October 2025, according to fec.gov. The general election is set for November 3, 2026, according to discoverlatinoleaders.
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