Former press secretary and district director for Rep. Henry Cuellar, Jose Sanz, has announced his candidacy as a Republican in the Texas 28th Congressional District race. The U.S.-Mexico border is expected to be a key issue in this race. Sanz stated in a news release that he would bring a “strong conservative voice” to Congress. Although he acknowledged the unparalleled experience he gained working with Cuellar, Sanz revealed that his values and beliefs no longer aligned with the office. He explained that his decision to run stemmed from his desire to fight for his conservative ideals and represent the family values of District 28 in Washington, D.C.
Cuellar’s campaign seemed unaffected by Sanz’s announcement, stating that they welcome another Republican candidate with no experience or connection to the 28th Congressional District of Texas. Cuellar’s spokesperson, Jake Hochberg, expressed confidence in their ability to win the race once again. Sanz, who was born in Mexico City and immigrated to the U.S. with his family at a young age, grew up in the suburbs of Houston and currently resides in Laredo, a border town.
Apart from his work in Cuellar’s office, Sanz described himself in his news release as a “former ESPN-Mexico television sports analyst.” He highlighted the crisis at the border as one of the top concerns for his community. Sanz emphasized the need to secure the border, combat human trafficking, drug influx, and the flow of illegal weapons. Having a deep understanding of the district, Sanz asserted that it is a conservative district that seeks a Congressman who will protect their family values and way of life.
Cuellar, in a recent interview on “Fox News Sunday,” stressed the importance of implementing repercussions at the border to deter migrants from entering the U.S. He also called for Mexico to deport migrants on its side of the border to their home countries. Cuellar faced challenges from Republicans in the 2022 election but easily emerged victorious against Cassy Garcia.