Henry Cuellar fends off Democratic challenger in Texas House primary

Moderate Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas) fended off a primary challenge from the left on Tuesday, defeating Jessica Cisneros, a 26-year-old lawyer who received strong backing from progressive groups. 

Cuellar, a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, was first elected to represent Texas’s 28th District in 2004, having previously served as the Texas secretary of State and as a state representative. 

With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Cuellar was leading Cisneros by 51.8 percent to 48.2 percent.

Cuellar had the cash advantage in the race and received endorsements from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), in addition to groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

Cisneros, who once interned in Cuellar’s office and works as an immigration attorney, was recruited by the progressive group Justice Democrats and received endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

But despite the backing from high-profile progressives, she was not able to unseat the longtime congressman in the left-leaning district. 

Cuellar is a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.