(Guadalupe County) — An 8th-generation Texan from Guadalupe County is officially announcing his run for Congress.
The Republican Candidate Josh Cortez is looking to represent Texans in the newly redrawn 35th District which now stretches across parts of Bexar County and all of Guadalupe, Karnes, and Wilson Counties.
Cortez says the newly redrawn 35th District offers unique advantages—opportunities he hopes to strengthen and build upon through his leadership if elected.
“They are able to advocate for their own needs and for their own people regionally. That creates an awesome opportunity for this area to be able to have their own seats in Congress as opposed to having other districts in other areas and other counties in other areas be the ones that are presenting needs. So, for this region, the people in the new 35th District will be served very well by being able to advocate specifically for what they need as opposed to other needs that might be competing from other regions of Texas. So, I intend to carry that banner and be their advocate in D.C. – utilizing not only my knowledge but the relationships I have not only here on the ground but also in Washington,” said Cortez.
Cortez, who frames his campaign around the guiding principles of “Faith, Family, and Future” says he brings a multifaceted background to the campaign having been a small business owner, entrepreneur, college professor, tech founder, and senior congressional staffer.
As a lifelong Republican, Christian, and native Texan, Cortez says he vows to fight every day to defend conservative values and will protect the Texas way of life.
“The opportunity to be able to jump in was brought about by the fact that I have the experience. I have the background. There’s so much of the depths of knowledge that you gain when you are working for the District. In my case, that opportunity has been deeply helpful in making continuous relationships with key players in the area such as city leaders, county leaders, educational leaders and I will continue to utilize on behalf of the people of the 35th District,” said Cortez.
The congressional seat is currently held by Democratic Representative Greg Casar. However, under the new GOP-backed redistricting, reports indicate that Casar has opted to instead run in the newly drawn 37th District.
Look for Cortez to appear on the March Republican Primary ballot in 2026.