Staff Report
McAllen, TX – Candidates have lined up for the March 2026 Texas primary elections in several state and federal races that include all or parts of McAllen, setting the stage for a competitive election cycle across the Rio Grande Valley.
U.S. House District 15 primary field
In U.S. House District 15, which spans Hidalgo County and surrounding areas, two Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination: Ada Cuellar and Bobby Pulido. On the Republican side, incumbent U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz is running for reelection and does not face a primary challenger.
Texas Senate districts
Texas Senate Districts 20 and 27 are not up for election in 2026 and will not appear on the March ballot. District 20, currently represented by Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa , represents a large section of Hidalgo County and then goes north to Jim Wells (Alice) County and sections of Nueces County. Texas Senate District 27, currently represented by Adam Hinojosa, includes the eastern section of Hidalgo County and all of Cameron and Willacy Counties up toward Nueces County.
McAllen-based House districts
McAllen has an estimated population of 150,316, representing about 16.2% of Hidalgo County’s total estimated population of 927,197. Because it is the largest city in Hidalgo County, it has been divided into multiple Texas House districts. However, Texas legislators have targeted most districts to have an average population of approximately 190,000. Political considerations aside, McAllen could have a House district based completely within the city.
Open race in Texas House District 41
Texas House District 41 will feature an open-seat contest after Democratic state Rep. Bobby Guerra announced he is not seeking reelection. The Democratic primary includes Seby Haddad, Eric Holguín and Julio Salinas. Republicans running in the district are Gary Groves, Sarah Sagredo-Hammond and Sergio Sanchez. This district is seated primarily in McAllen but also cuts into areas in Edinburg, Pharr and Mission.
Texas House District 40
In Texas House District 40, Democratic incumbent Terry Canales is seeking reelection without opposition. Republicans running in the district are Celeste Cabrera-Huff, Vangela Churchill and Nehemias Gomez. The district is seated primarily in Edinburg but includes segments of northeast McAllen, Pharr and San Juan.
Texas House District 36
In Texas House District 36, Democratic incumbent Sergio Muñoz Jr. is seeking reelection and does not face a Democratic primary challenger. No Republican filed for the primary race. The district is seated primarily in Mission but also includes sections of South McAllen and South Pharr.
Other Hidalgo County races
Texas House District 35
Texas House District 35 includes Democratic incumbent Oscar Longoria, who will face Republican Oscar Rosa. This district includes large swaths of western Hidalgo County, northern Hidalgo County and even includes a slice of western Cameron County. District 35 has been referred to as the “Fajita District,” not because of the prevalence of the delicious cut of meat but because of its unusual shape.
Texas House District 39
Texas House District 39 is represented by Democratic incumbent Armando “Mando” Martinez, who does not have a Republican primary challenger. The district covers eastern Hidalgo County.
State Board of Education District 2
State Board of Education has 15 very large districts. District 2, which includes almost all of Hidalgo County except for a small patch in southwest Hidalgo County, also covers Cameron County and runs north along the coast to Wharton County, southwest of Houston, will also appear on the March ballot. Democrat Thomas Ray Garcia is running unopposed in his party’s primary. On the Republican side, incumbent LJ Francis faces challengers Victoria Hinojosa and Carrie Moore.
Primary elections for Texas federal, state and county offices are scheduled for March 3, 2026, with runoff elections to follow if no candidate receives a majority of the vote.
Source -- Texas Secretary of State candidate filings.