The entire U.S. House Democratic leadership is endorsing a congressional member representing parts of South Texas.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) announced the endorsements on Thursday, just one election cycle after the moderate Democrat was largely abandoned by his party amid a tight primary.
Cuellar touted the support of Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark, Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ BOLD PAC. The endorsements were first reported by The Texas Tribune.
“Henry Cuellar is an accomplished advocate for the people of South Texas who is working hard to build an economy from the middle out and the bottom up,” Rep. Jeffries (D-NY) said in a statement, per a press lease. “His unwavering support for the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure law helped get these important legislative accomplishments over the finish line, delivering billions of dollars to the state of Texas.”
Cuellar, who has faced criticism within his own party for his anti-abortion views and support for stronger border security laws, had a tough go of it during the last election cycle. He saw his home and office raided by the FBI just weeks before the primary. There have since been no charges or arrests stemming from the raid, The Texas Tribune reported.
The congressman also faced a difficult primary challenge in left-wing candidate Jessica Cisneros, winning by fewer than 300 votes. His primary victory reportedly came despite hesitation on the part of his party’s House leadership to spend and campaign for his reelection.
Cuellar went on to defeat Republican candidate Cassy Garcia by 13%, even after national Republicans identified the race as a potential flip opportunity.
“Extreme MAGA Republicans targeted Henry for defeat last year,” Jeffries claimed in his statement. “But the residents of South Texas decisively returned him back to Washington.”
The series of endorsements Cuellar recently secured could mark the start of an easier path to reelection. According to Politico, there have been no signs of a serious primary challenge in 2023. Cuellar’s decisive margin of victory in the 2022 general election could also deter the GOP from focusing its resources on the district in the 2024 race.
“I am honored to have the current and previous House Democratic Leadership endorse my 2024 campaign,” said Cuellar, per the press release.
