TX-28 Republican nominee?
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleJudge
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationTexas
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BackgroundWebb County Judge (county executive)
EducationTexas A&M International University (degree)
Notable personal detailsTano E. Tijerina is a Republican candidate for U.S. House in Texas’ 28th Congressional District in the 2026 cycle. He has served as Webb County Judge (county executive) since 2015. Before public office, he played professional baseball after being drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1993 and later earned a degree from Texas A&M International University. He has also served in regional border and civic leadership roles, including as chair of the Texas Border Coalition.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
The candidate has a record as Webb County Judge of pursuing lower local taxes and announcing multiple property tax reductions while emphasizing support for keeping taxes low, supporting local businesses, and fiscal stability. His public materials highlight tax relief measures at the county level and pro-business economic priorities. No evidence was found of advocacy for higher taxes or wealth-redistribution policies.
Healthcare
As Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina has promoted local health-access initiatives—including a county employee medical and wellness center, support for rural OnMed CareStations, and proclamations recognizing community health centers—but there is no clear, documented position on federal health policy (for example on the Affordable Care Act, Medicare for All, or a federal public option).
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Immigration & Border
Tano Tijerina emphasizes stronger border security and supports measures to secure the U.S.–Mexico border while criticizing the Biden administration’s immigration policies. His public role with the Texas Border Coalition and campaign announcements frame immigration as an area needing enforcement and border-strengthening solutions rather than expanded legalization pathways.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate identifies as pro-life and anti-abortion and has described himself as an antiabortion evangelical Christian. Public statements emphasize support for adoption and opposing abortion. No detailed policy proposals (for example, specific gestational limits or exception policies) were found in the sourced material.
Climate & Energy
Tano Tijerina publicly supports and defends the oil and gas industry in South Texas and has criticized how renewable energy development benefits other regions of the state; his statements emphasize energy and economic development tied to fossil fuels rather than aggressive emissions-reduction policies. He switched his party affiliation citing threats to the region’s oil and gas industry and has run on backing that industry.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports the Second Amendment and emphasizes support for law enforcement and public safety; opposes policies framed as infringing on gun rights while prioritizing community security.
News
Tano Tijerina is in the news as the Republican nominee in Texas's 28th District, where he will face Rep. Henry Cuellar in the November election. Recent coverage says he has been endorsed by Donald Trump and has also outperformed the Democratic incumbent in first-quarter fundraising, a notable bright spot for House Republicans. More broadly, the race is unfolding as Republicans gain a redistricting and fundraising edge heading into the 2026 House elections.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements




