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<h2>Privacy Policy</h2>This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their ‘Personally Identifiable Information’ (PII) is being used online. PII, as described in US privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our website.

<h2>ABOUT JOHN LIRA</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/f1eec9db-ec46-42fe-ade9-2bdce29c407d/e41db274-8274-4580-8dd1-810b412cb7bc/57147e80-717a-4996-9e66-928b3c1fe5c8.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C3072&amp;w=1500" alt="John standing with his mom and dad" caption="Before I ever wore this uniform, my parents taught me what service meant: taking care of others and giving back to your community." align="right" alignwidth="42" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Before I ever wore this uniform, my parents taught me what service meant: taking care of others and giving back to your community.<h3>I grew up on San Antonio’s southeast side in a working-class, fourth-generation Mexican American family. I spent my childhood dancing at quinceañeras, cheering at Friday night football games, and working as a busboy on the Riverwalk.</h3>After graduating from East Central High School, I joined the United States Marine Corps and served in Iraq. The Marines taught me discipline, leadership, and what it means to serve something bigger than myself. When I came home, I continued that service as an intelligence analyst, a policy expert, and later as a senior presidential advisor for AmeriCorps.Throughout my career, I have focused on helping others find their own path to serve. At the Small Business Administration, I worked to help veterans start their own businesses. At AmeriCorps, I helped expand national service opportunities for young Americans ready to make a difference in their communities.But my most important mission is the one I have here at home: my wife, Michelle, and my daughter, Rozlyn. I want my daughter to have the same opportunities I had, and a future that is safe, affordable, and full of promise.Now I am running to represent Texas’s 35th Congressional District with that same Marine spirit, to defend democracy, lower costs for working families, revive small businesses, and build the infrastructure of the future.Marines run toward challenges, not away from them. That is the same commitment I bring to this campaign: to make sure your voice is heard and that Texas families have a leader who will always show up and fight for them.

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A platform focused on lowering costs, healthcare affordability, small business growth, and the dignity of work.

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John is running to represent the families who work hard, play by the rules, and still feel like they’re falling behind. This campaign is built on a simple promise: to give every Texan—from the Southside to the Hill Country—a fair shot at the American dream. That means good jobs, affordable healthcare, and a Representative who answers to you.

FIGHTING FOR WORKING FAMILIES

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They may have drawn the lines on the map. We're drawing the line in the sand. The Supreme Court has allowed the new gerrymandered lines to stand, and that choice crossed a line. Now it is up to us to defend this district, protect our communities, and fight for fair representation.

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“I grew up on San Antonio’s southeast side and learned early what hard work and community mean. I’ve spent my life serving others, and now I’m running to make sure every Texan has a fair shot, a strong voice, and a future they can count on."

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Meet John Lira, a Marine veteran running for Congress in Texas’ 35th District. Learn why he’s fighting for fairness, dignity, and opportunity.

Meet John Lira | Marine Veteran for Congress in TX-35

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Marine veteran John Lira is running for Congress in Texas’ 35th District to fight for working families, fair representation, and our community.

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Campaign Updates | John Lira for Congress

MEDIA ADVISORYOctober 26, 2025Contact: Juan Rodriguez&nbsp;<a href="mailto:juan@liraforcongress.com">juan@liraforcongress.com</a>&nbsp;312-771-0263MARINE VETERAN AND TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 35 CANDIDATE JOHN LIRA WILL BE IN WASHINGTON DC OCTOBER 27-30&nbsp;Washington, DC — John Lira, Marine Corps veteran and candidate for Texas’s newly redrawn 35th Congressional District will be in Washington DC, October 27-30 and will be available to talk about his campaign, the Republican Shutdown and his plan to win a Congressional District redrawn by Texas Republicans in an attempted power grab by President Trump and House Republicans.&nbsp;Candidate Meet and Greet Event for John LiraLira will also be hosting an invitation only event and will be open to select members of the press with advance notice.&nbsp;When: Wednesday, October 29, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PMWhere: Ginza Rooftop Lounge, 526 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003Lira will also be available for interviews during his entire Washington DC visit this week. To arrange time to interview Lira, contact Juan Rodriguez at 312-771-0263 or at <a href="mailto:juan@liraforcongress.com">juan@liraforcongress.com</a> About John LiraA fourth-generation Mexican American from San Antonio’s Southeast Side, Lira enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 17 and served 11 years, including two deployments to Iraq. Using the GI Bill, he became the first in his family to graduate from college (San Antonio College, University of Texas-San Antonio) and later earned a master’s from Carnegie Mellon University.&nbsp;He continued public service in the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative fellow, a management and program analyst at the Small Business Administration and AmeriCorps, and a national commission focused on military, national, and public service. Lira has dedicated his career to helping those who serve - from veterans starting businesses and to serving as the senior presidential advisor for americorps, john is committed to supporting all those who serve their communities and country.&nbsp; ###Recent News Articles<a href="https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/john-lira-texas-congressional-district-35-21100302.php">San Antonio Express-News October 17 2025 Former congressional candidate John Lira aims to keep District 35 blue</a> Behind Pay Wall. PDF Attached to email. <a href="https://www.wilsoncountynews.com/articles/john-lira-announces-bid-for-u-s-house-district-35/">Wilson County News October 14 2025 John Lira announces bid for U.S. House, District 35</a><a href="https://texassignal.com/the-texas-congressional-shake-up-2/">The Texas Signal September 24 2025 The Texas Congressional Shake-up</a>More at <a href="http://liraforcongress.com">liraforcongress.com</a>&nbsp;

MARINE VETERAN AND TEXAS CD 35 CANDIDATE JOHN LIRA WILL BE IN WASHINGTON DC OCTOBER 27-30 

San Antonio, TX - John Lira, Marine Corps veteran and candidate for Texas’s newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, issued the following statement regarding U.S. Military Actions in Venezuela. “Recent reports of unilateral U.S. military strikes near Venezuela and the reported capture or detention of President Nicolás Maduro, if accurate, are deeply concerning and, as described, would represent an illegal and unauthorized use of American military power,” said John Lira. The Constitution is clear: only Congress has the power to declare war. Any military action of this magnitude must be authorized by the people’s representatives, not undertaken at the discretion of an unchecked executive.” “As a Marine veteran and a former senior federal official, I know that military force must always be a last resort, undertaken with full legal authority and clear strategy. I saw this same failed strategy of regime change in Iraq and it did nothing but cost valuable American lives, resources, and attention away from our challenges here at home.&nbsp;If the United States has engaged in military operations without congressional authorization, that is unacceptable. The American people deserve transparency, accountability, and a sober assessment of what we are being drawn into.“Unilateral military intervention and attempted regime change, especially in a region as sensitive as Latin America, risks destabilizing an already fragile global security environment and eroding trust in U.S. leadership. We should be working to strengthen democratic institutions and peaceful diplomacy, not escalating conflict without clear legal authority or public debate.“If elected, I will demand a full congressional briefing on the facts, legal justification, and strategic objectives behind any reported military action involving Venezuela. The American people and their representatives must be informed, and no president should have unilateral authority to commit the nation to war.“The American people do not want another open-ended 'regime change' crusade in Venezuela, or anywhere else. We’ve seen how these Washington playbooks end: chaos abroad, higher costs at home, and working families left holding the bag.John Lira - Candidate for U.S. Congress, Texas-35

Statement from John Lira on Reported U.S. Military Actions Regarding Venezuela

Join Texans for John Lira on Saturday, February 21, 2026 for a morning of action in Schertz, Texas as we work to meet voters where they live and build momentum for the TX-35 campaign.

Canvass with Lira for Congress — Schertz

by&nbsp;<a href="https://cbsaustin.com/station/people/farrah-walton-05-20-2024">Farrah Walton</a>Fri, December 5, 2025 at 8:11 PMUpdated&nbsp;Fri, December 5, 2025 at 10:41 PMAUSTIN, Texas —&nbsp;The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for Texas to use its newly redrawn congressional map, setting the stage for the state’s 2026 races. With the primary filing deadline just days away, candidates now have certainty about which districts they will run in.A lower court had previously blocked the map, calling it discriminatory, but the Supreme Court overruled that decision.“We were waiting for this outcome in many ways,” said John Lira, a Democratic candidate running in the newly drawn 35th Congressional District.The map is one many experts believe could allow Republicans to gain as many as five additional seats in Congress. Lira said the ruling was expected. “Just as we had anticipated, the Supreme Court sided with President Trump,” he said. With the map finalized, Lira said campaigns now know which communities to focus on as the primary season approaches. “It’s full steam ahead for our campaign at this point,” he said.David Froomkin, an assistant professor of law at the University of Houston Law Center, said the ruling underscores the court’s stance on partisan gerrymandering. “The Supreme Court has sent a clear message that it is not going to permit federal courts to protect voters’ constitutional rights when states seek to gerrymander the maps to strengthen the majority party in power,” he said.Froomkin said the long-term implications could reshape Congress. “What democratic representation is going to look like going forward is going to depend pretty much exclusively on the outcome of future elections and on the political process,” he said.Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser said the ruling is politically significant, especially for former President Donald Trump and the GOP, which holds a narrow majority in the U.S. House. “So I think Republicans are cheering this decision, and I think they’re very confident about what it can mean for not only Republicans in Texas, but also in Washington DC,” he said.The deadline for candidates to file for the 2026 primary is Monday.

<a href="https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/texas-candidates-gain-clarity-on-districts-as-supreme-court-backs-gop-favored-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CBS Austin Link</a>

Texas candidates gain clarity on districts as Supreme Court backs GOP-favored map

Wilson County News, October 14, 2025John Lira is seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination to run for U.S. Congress, in Texas’ 35th District.“I am running for the U.S. Congress in Texas’ 35th Congressional District because I have dedicated my life to serving our country, I am culturally rooted in the heart of the district, and I am committed to running a campaign that engages and supports all Texans. From busboy, to the battlefield, to the halls of government, I’ve dedicated my life to service.“As we have seen this year, our democracy is under constant attack from the Republican Party who have willingly surrendered our liberties and have trounced the U.S. Constitution which I, as a Marine, have sworn to protect and uphold,” Lira said. “Today in Texas and across the nation, working families are being economically squeezed, and too many leaders are looking the other way. I’m running for Congress because this district deserves a Representative who will step toward the fight — not away from it.”Born and raised in San Antonio and a graduate of East Central High School, Lira holds an associate’s degree from San Antonio College, a bachelor’s from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Master’s in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.He is married to Michelle Espino, Ph.D., and has one daughter, Rozlyn Lira, in college.He served 11 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and has been a legislative fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.; a management and program analyst at the Small Business Administration and AmeriCorps; and a policy research manager for the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.<a href="https://www.wilsoncountynews.com/articles/john-lira-announces-bid-for-u-s-house-district-35/">https://www.wilsoncountynews.com/articles/john-lira-announces-bid-for-u-s-house-district-35/</a>

Wilson County News, October 14, 2025

John Lira is seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination to run for U.S. Congress, in Texas’ 35th District.

“I am running for the U.S. Congress in Texas’ 35th Congressional District because I have dedicated my life to serving our country, I am culturally rooted in the heart of the district, and I am committed to running a campaign that engages and supports all Texans. From busboy, to the battlefield, to the halls of government, I’ve dedicated my life to service.

John Lira announces bid for U.S. House, District 35

John Lira announces bid for U.S. House, District 35

Tariffs can have a legitimate, limited role in U.S. trade policy when strategically used to protect workers, critical industries, and national security. However, the reckless and unilateral use of tariffs by the current administration has created widespread uncertainty, raised costs for working families, and harmed American manufacturers, farmers, and consumers. Trade policy should not be wielded as a blunt political weapon or without regard for its economic consequences at home and abroad. I believe Congress must reclaim its constitutional role in trade policy by reining in executive tariff authority and requiring transparency, worker input, and congressional approval. When used carefully as part of a broader, worker-centered industrial strategy, tariffs can help strengthen domestic supply chains, but as they are used today, they undermine American jobs and damage global trade relationships.

Tariffs can have a legitimate, limited role in U.S. trade policy when they are used strategically to protect workers, critical industries, and national security. However, the reckless and unilateral use of tariffs by the current administration has created widespread uncertainty, raised costs for working families, and harmed American manufacturers, farmers, and consumers.

Tariffs

Health care is a basic human right. No family should face financial ruin because someone gets sick, and no worker should lose coverage because politicians refuse to act. Texas still has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, and too many families delay care because of cost.I support making Affordable Care Act subsidies permanent, closing the Medicaid coverage gap, lowering prescription drug prices, and capping insulin at $35 for everyone. I also support allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, expanding community health clinics, and strengthening mental health care access.We must restore and strengthen Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA while protecting employer-based and union-negotiated plans. Our health care system should put patients and workers first—not insurance companies and drug manufacturers.<h4>To live up to that value, we must:</h4><ul><li>Make Affordable Care Act subsidies permanent.</li><li>Close the coverage gap in states like Texas that refused to expand Medicaid.</li><li>Invest in community health clinics in underserved neighborhoods and rural communities, including VA clinics.&nbsp;</li><li>Expand access to services, especially mental health services. </li></ul><h4>Expanding Affordable Health Care</h4><ul><li>We must be a country that guarantees affordable, accessible health care for every family, not just those who can afford it.</li><li>Texas has the highest uninsured rate in America. In this district, a simple doctor visit can drain a paycheck and leave families vulnerable.</li></ul><h5></h5>

Health care is a basic human right. No family should face financial ruin because someone gets sick, and no worker should lose coverage because politicians refuse to act. Texas still has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, and too many families delay care because of cost.

Affordable, Accessible Health Care

Link to News Story: <a href="https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/texas-candidates-wait-for-clarity-on-2026-congressional-map">https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/texas-candidates-wait-for-clarity-on-2026-congressional-map</a> CBS Austin by&nbsp;<a href="https://cbsaustin.com/station/people/andrew-lamparski">Andrew Lamparski </a>Tuesday, November 25, 2025AUSTIN, Texas —&nbsp;The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide whether the state's new congressional maps can take effect in 2026, leaving candidates across the state uncertain about the future of their campaigns.Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/federal-court-blocks-texas-from-using-new-congressional-map-in-midterms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">temporary stay</a>&nbsp;on a district court's decision last week, blocking the use of the state's new congressional map. The move gives the full Supreme Court a chance to consider the ruling following an emergency appeal by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.The stay raises questions for candidates running based on the new map, like Republican Josh Cortez. Cortez is running for the 35th Congressional District, which will include part of Bexar and surrounding counties."Most of it is education," Cortez said of the current state of the campaign trail. "And a lot of what we've been able to do is talk to people, explain to them, hey, there's a new map now."The district saw one of the more drastic boundary changes during the redistricting process this summer. The current District 35, held by Democratic Congressman Greg Casar, stretches from Austin to San Antonio along I-35."Putting them back to 2021, if you want to see a gerrymandered district, look at that one," Cortez said.But his new district isn't a guarantee. The Supreme Court will make a decision about whether the new map can stay for the 2026 election."All candidacies are effectively frozen in place because the boundaries of 37 of our 38 districts have been changed, some of them very substantially," said Mark P. Jones, political science professor at Rice University.Casar's team says the congressman is preparing for whatever comes."His plans remain the same as they’ve always been: 35 under the existing maps, 37 if the illegal Trump-Abbott maps are in place," a spokesperson said in an email on Tuesday.Democrat John Lira, a Marine, is running in the redrawn CD-35, with the future of his campaign depending on the outcome of the court case."There is a lot of concern," Lira said. "We're having to change our messaging. We're explaining to our donors, our supporters, that we're ready to go. We haven't stood down one bit. We have kept our campaign operations alive."Lira stands in opposition to the new map, but took the opportunity to run to represent the new district."Nothing's caught us by surprise with this rogue Supreme Court. They seem always willing to kind of do the bidding of Trump, and we'll see how it goes."Lira said he expects a decision from the Supreme Court as early as tomorrow or Monday.Note: Story also ran on NBC NEWS 4 San Antonio, CW39 Houston

<a href="https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/texas-candidates-wait-for-clarity-on-2026-congressional-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Link: CBS Austin, NBC NEWS 4 San Antonio, CW39 Houston</a>CBS Austin by&nbsp;<a href="https://cbsaustin.com/station/people/andrew-lamparski">Andrew Lamparski </a>

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Texas candidates wait for clarity on 2026 congressional map

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 18, 2025Contact: Juan Rodriguezjuan@liraforcongress.com312-771-0263liraforcongress.comSTATEMENT OF TEXAS’ CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 35 CANDIDATE JOHN LIRA REGARDING COURT DECISION ON TEXAS’ REDRAWN CONGRESSIONAL MAPSan Antonio, TX - John Lira, Marine Corps veteran and candidate for Texas’s newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, issued the following statement on today's court decision regarding today’s ruling by a three-judge federal panel in El Paso.“Today’s ruling is a reminder that politicians don’t get to pick their voters. Texans do. This is a step toward fair maps and government that respects the will of the people.While we celebrate this ruling, we recognize the fight is not over. Texas is expected to appeal this decision directly to the U.S Supreme Court. This means the ultimate fate of Texas’s map will be decided by the highest court in the land. My commitment remains unwavering: we will continue to show up, organize, and fight for fair maps that ensure every voter has a voice.Nobody asked for these maps. Our communities did not want them. Our goal has always been to ensure that every neighborhood, every family, and every voter has a real voice in the democratic process. That mission has not changed.I’m happy that the court saw through the racial gerrymandering that has taken place in Texas. Nobody wanted these maps; we didn’t want these maps.However, the lines are drawn, my community in Southeast San Antonio is not a bargaining chip on a political map. We are veterans, working families, and young people who deserve real representation, not to be divided and diminished for someone else’s political power/gain.”John Lira is available for media interviews. Please contact Juan Rodriguez at 312-771-0263 and <a href="mailto:juan@liraforcongress.com">juan@liraforcongress.com</a>.###About John LiraA fourth-generation Mexican American from San Antonio’s Southeast Side, Lira enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 17 and served 11 years, including two deployments to Iraq. Using the GI Bill, he became the first in his family to graduate from college (San Antonio College, University of Texas-San Antonio) and later earned a master’s from Carnegie Mellon University.He continued public service in the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative fellow, a management and program analyst at the Small Business Administration and AmeriCorps, and a national commission focused on military, national, and public service. Lira has dedicated his career to helping those who serve - from veterans starting businesses and to serving as the senior presidential advisor for americorps, john is committed to supporting all those who serve their communities and country.

STATEMENT OF JOHN LIRA REGARDING COURT DECISION ON TEXAS’ REDRAWN CONGRESSIONAL MAP

MARINE VETERAN AND TEXAS CD 35 CANDIDATE JOHN LIRA WINS TEJANO DEMOCRATS STAW POLL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 22, 2025Contact: Juan Rodriguez&nbsp;<a href="mailto:juan@liraforcongress.com">juan@liraforcongress.com</a>&nbsp;312-771-0263Service, Sacrifice, and San Antonio: John Lira Launches Campaign for CongressBorn and raised in San Antonio, Lira pledges to put working families and democracy first.WHAT: Campaign Launch for John Lira for Congress&nbsp;WHEN: September 30, 2025&nbsp; |&nbsp; 6:00pm-8:00pmWHERE: Highlands Social Club, 2929 S. WW White Road, San Antonio, TXSupporters, neighbors, and community members are invited to join John Lira for the official launch of his campaign for U.S. Congress in Texas’ newly redrawn 35th Congressional District. The event will feature remarks from Lira, opportunities to connect with community leaders, and a chance to stand together at the start of a campaign rooted in service and San Antonio values.San Antonio, TX — John Lira,Marine veteran, public policy leader, and proud son of San Antonio’s Southeast Side, will officially launch his campaign for the U.S. Congress in Texas’ 35th Congressional District on Tuesday, September 30.Born into a fourth-generation Mexican American family, Lira grew up in Southeast Bexar County and graduated from East Central High School. At 17,&nbsp; following a chance encounter with a Marine recruiter—and inspired by his uncle’s sacrifice as a civil servant killed in the Oklahoma City bombing—Lira enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He went on to serve 11 years, including two combat tours in Iraq.&nbsp;Using the GI Bill, Lira became the first in his family to graduate from college, earning&nbsp; degrees from San Antonio College, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and a master’s in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. His career in Washington has included roles as a legislative fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives, a management and program analyst at the Small Business Administration and AmeriCorps and as a senior policy leader the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. Lira’s career&nbsp; has always been focused on lifting up veterans, families, and small businesses. “I’m running for Congress because service has defined my life – from busboy, to the battlefield, to the halls of government,” said Lira.“Our democracy is under constant attack from a Republican Party willing to trample&nbsp; the very Constitution I swore to defend. Meanwhile, working families are being squeezed, and too many leaders are looking the other way. This district deserves a representative who will step into the fight — not shrink away from it.”Lira’s campaign will focus on tackling the high cost of living, reviving American small business, investing in modern infrastructure, defending democracy, and standing with veterans.&nbsp;“The newly drawn 35th District is home to working class families, farmers, ranchers, and communities that keep Texas strong,” Lira added. “It would be an honor to represent the people of Bexar, Guadalupe, Wilson, and Karnes counties, and deliver the results that they deserve in Washington, DC..”&nbsp;Lira lives in San Antonio with his wife, Dr. Michelle Espino Lira, a professor from El Paso. He&nbsp; has one daughter, Rozlyn, a college student.For more information, visit <a href="http://liraforcongress.com">liraforcongress.com</a> and follow @LiraForCongress on Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram.About John LiraJohn Lira is a Marine veteran, public policy leader, and lifelong servant of his community. Raised on San Antonio’s Southeast Side, he served 11 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including two combat deployments to Iraq. A first-generation college graduate, he earned degrees from San Antonio College, UTSA, and Carnegie Mellon University before advancing federal policies to support veterans, strengthen public service, and expand opportunities for working families. Now, he is running for Congress to continue a lifetime of service to his country and community.###

Service, Sacrifice, and San Antonio: John Lira Launches Campaign for Congress

KUVE Link: <a href="https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-democrats-tough-decisions-deadline-supreme-court-upholds-congressional-map/269-7206382b-a6f7-4994-aed1-112c7e43f85e">https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-democrats-tough-decisions-deadline-supreme-court-upholds-congressional-map/269-7206382b-a6f7-4994-aed1-112c7e43f85e</a>Author:&nbsp;Daniel PerreaultPublished:&nbsp;9:26 PM CST December 5, 2025Updated:&nbsp;12:11 PM CST December 6, 2025AUSTIN, Texas — After Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kvue.com/article/syndication/associatedpress/supreme-court-allows-texas-to-use-a-congressional-map-favorable-to-republicans-in-2026/616-0c7d10e2-67de-455f-8931-082eb125a518" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Texas can use its new congressional district map</a>, which more favors Republicans, candidates and members of Congress are making decisions ahead of the March primary election.&nbsp;The ruling is a big win for Republicans and for President Donald Trump, who pushed lawmakers to redraw the congressional district map to secure five more Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.<a href="https://www.kvue.com/article/syndication/associatedpress/supreme-court-temporarily-blocks-lower-court-ruling-that-found-texas-congressional-map-likely-racially-discriminatory/616-c7e02ace-bd18-4b5c-9ea6-c2a8bb011c25" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">In a 6-to-3 decision</a>, the justices overturned a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kvue.com/article/syndication/associatedpress/federal-judges-block-texas-from-using-its-new-us-house-map-in-the-2026-midterms/616-3dde8c2f-7103-4533-a997-360ca2a55991" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">lower court's ruling</a>&nbsp;that the new map likely discriminates based on race. In his concurring opinion, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the motivation for the new map was, "partisan advantage pure and simple."He also stated the lower court improperly inserted itself into the primary campaign because the candidate filing period is underway.While the state can use this new map for now, Texas Democrats plan to return to the U.S. Supreme Court with a whole appeal to challenge it. Meanwhile, candidates can file to run in the primary election until Monday. Candidates and some members of Congress from Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-legislature/texas-awaits-decision-us-supreme-court-congressional-redistricting/269-df95e436-108b-40f0-9338-e0e9e4812767" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">have been waiting</a>&nbsp;to see which district they will run in before they officially file.With the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the new maps for the 2026 midterm elections, longtime Austin Congressman, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett officially announced Friday that he will not run for reelection.First elected to Congress in 1994, Doggett has represented several different districts as Austin’s explosive growth forced Texas to redraw its political boundaries over the years. Now 78, he is widely regarded as one of the most prominent Democratic voices from Texas, focusing on education, health care access and consumer protections.“I am most appreciative for the opportunity to have represented our community in public office for most of the last 50 years—appreciative for the support and encouragement of so many neighbors as well as people from McAllen to San Antonio, from San Marcos to La Grange, who at various times have made my continued service possible—whether in CD10, CD25, CD35, or currently CD37,” Doggett said in a statement on Friday.Under the new map, Texas Republicans redrew the Austin-area districts to favor Republicans further, shifting much of Austin into districts dominated by suburban and rural Republican voters.In the new map, District 35 no longer stretches from Austin to San Antonio, but instead from Guadalupe County down to San Antonio and east of Interstate 35.&nbsp;That district is currently represented by Congressman Greg Casar (D-Austin), meaning that Doggett, who represents the current District 37, would have to face off against Casar in a March primary. Instead of doing that, Doggett is choosing to retire. He vowed Friday to continue doing his part “to vigorously fight back and to help others here and across the country.”“I will continue working with the same urgency and determination as if next year were my last, which in public office it will be,” Doggett said. “After that, I will seek new ways to join my neighbors in making a difference in the only town I have ever called home.”Casar officially filed to run for reelection in the 37th district on Friday.“We’re going to fight to ban gerrymandering nationwide, stop Trump’s corruption and make Congress work for workers, not just the billionaires,”&nbsp;Casar wrote on social media.Republicans redrew the map in hopes of giving GOP candidates an advantage in CD 9 in Houston, CD 28 in the Rio Grande Valley, CD 32 in Dallas, CD 34 along the South Texas coast and CD 35 in Central Texas. Democratic incumbents in those districts now have to either run for another seat, retire or run in a district that is more Republican.By shifting voters in Austin, Houston, North Texas&nbsp;and&nbsp;the Rio Grande Valley, it put more Democrats into already Democratic-held districts in some of the state’s biggest cities, such as San Antonio and Houston. Democrats would have larger margins in some districts, but they moved around Republican voters from red districts to other Democratic districts, like Casar’s and North Texas U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson’s.In the two South Texas districts, which Trump would have won by 10 percentage points under the new lines, U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez will face difficult battles. However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said in a statement Thursday that he believes they can still win.“Our battle-tested Democrats in Texas, including Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, will win their newly-redrawn districts and render this Republican scheme futile,” Jeffries said.In Houston, longtime Congressman Al Green’s district was redrawn to encompass much of the current 18th Congressional District, which has been vacant since the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner in March.A runoff in a special election to fill that seat, between former Houston City Councilmember Amanda Edwards and Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, will take place at the end of January, about a month before the winner of that election will face Green in a March primary. The longtime congressman reiterated his plan to run in the 18th Congressional District to reporters during a press conference on Friday.“The president's not going to run me out of office. That won't happen,” Green said. “I am going to be on the ballot. I will be running from the 18th Congressional District because that's where my home is. That's where my constituents, whom I've been representing for many years, are. It is also a place that, quite frankly, I have found to be a district that I can work with and people that I can be faithful to, that have been faithful to me in terms of helping me get things done in Congress.”In North Texas, there are two seats for three Democrats: Reps. Jasmine Crockett, Julie Johnson and Marc Veasey.Johnson’s 32nd congressional district was stretched into East Texas, shifting it from one Kamala Harris won by 25% to one Trump carried by 18%.The new 30th District, which Crockett currently holds, is essentially her old district and includes part of Tarrant County, which Veasey represents presently. The 33rd District is entirely in Dallas County and includes parts of all three of the districts.Crockett is considering running for U.S. Senate, and if she does, it would clear the way for Veasey and Johnson to run in different districts. If she does not, it could lead to a primary between Democratic incumbents or require someone to retire or run in an unfriendly, Republican-leaning district.According to several reports, Veasey is likely going to run in the 30th Congressional District, while Johnson announced Friday she plans to run in the 33rd Congressional District.“TX-33 is home to many families, small businesses, and neighborhoods that I have been proud to represent over the years,”&nbsp;Johnson said. “I'm running in TX-33 because these communities need someone who shows up, listens, and never stops fighting for them - no matter how the lines are drawn.”Democrat John Lira is running in the newly redrawn 35th Congressional District.“We're going forward full steam ahead at this point. The decision only calls us to put it in high gear and amplify what we were already doing,” Lira said. “We didn't want to get caught flat-footed during this two-week pause or two-week period where we were waiting on the Supreme Court to decide what they were going to do.”Lira had been waiting for clarity from the courts to file. Now that the high court has weighed in, he said he plans to file to run in the new Texas 35th Congressional District this Sunday.“It makes you kind of pause a little bit before you get out and knock doors because you don't know if those are going to be the right voters that you're going to need, in the next election,” Lira said. “Some donors, some supporters have said, we're ready to roll with you, but we're not quite ready to say anything yet until we get the decisions out.”With the legal battle over for now, Lira said the political battle is now fully underway.“It's going to be a little bit more education, a little bit more engagement. We have a little bit of an abbreviated timeline to do all that,” Lira said. “But this is politics in Texas, and you could always expect craziness.”

KVUE Texas Democrats face tough decisions after Supreme Court upholds new Texas congressional map

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 26, 2025Contact: Juan Rodriguez <a href="mailto:juan@liraforcongress.com">juan@liraforcongress.com</a>&nbsp;312-771-0263&nbsp;<a href="http://liraforcongress.com">liraforcongress.com</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;STATEMENT OF TEXAS’ CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 35 CANDIDATE JOHN LIRA REGARDING THE SHOOTING OF TWO NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS IN WASHINGTON DC San Antonio, TX - John Lira, Marine Corps veteran and candidate for Texas’s newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, issued the following statement on today's National Guard shooting in Washington, DC. . “Today we learned that members of our National Guard were shot while standing watch for the rest of us. My heart is with them, their families, and their fellow guardsmen tonight. As a marine veteran, I know the quiet courage it takes to put on that uniform and step into harm's way. No one should have to fear being shot at while serving their community here at home. To every guard member and servicemember reading this: We see you, we value you, and we will keep fighting to make sure you have the support, resources, and respect you deserve.” John Lira is available for media interviews. Please contact Juan Rodriguez at 312-771-0263 and <a href="mailto:juan@liraforcongress.com">juan@liraforcongress.com</a>. ### About John Lira A fourth-generation Mexican American from San Antonio’s Southeast Side, Lira enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 17 and served 11 years, including two deployments to Iraq. Using the GI Bill, he became the first in his family to graduate from college (San Antonio College, University of Texas-San Antonio) and later earned a master’s from Carnegie Mellon University.&nbsp;He continued public service in the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative fellow, a management and program analyst at the Small Business Administration and AmeriCorps, and a national commission focused on military, national, and public service. Lira has dedicated his career to helping those who serve - from veterans starting businesses and to serving as the senior presidential advisor for americorps, john is committed to supporting all those who serve their communities and country.&nbsp;

STATEMENT OF TEXAS’ CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE JOHN LIRA ON THE SHOOTING OF NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS

Canvass Kickoff: Tacos, Coffee and Action

Join Texans for John Lira on Saturday, January 31st for a morning of action in Southeast San Antonio. We’ll fuel up with breakfast (tacos and coffee on us!) before heading out to talk to our neighbors about the issues that matter most: lowering costs, protecting workers, and defending our democracy.

Canvassing with Lira for Congress!

As a fellow veteran, I am dedicated to enhancing the lives of our community's heroes. My plans to boost veteran services and ensure affordable housing in San Antonio reflect our shared values. When we send people to serve, we must keep our promises when they come home. Veterans and military families deserve real support, not excuses.Congress must do more to prevent veteran suicide and reduce veteran homelessness by ensuring the VA and partner programs have the staffing, equipment, and mental health resources veterans need. That includes timely access to care, strong transition support, and accountability when the system fails.I know our obligation does not end when the uniform comes off. I will fight to make sure veterans and military families are treated with the dignity, care, and respect they have earned.

When we send people to serve, we must keep our promises when they come home. Veterans and military families deserve real support, not excuses.

Veterans and Military Families

Work should pay enough to build a life, retire with dignity, and support a family. Right now, too many jobs don’t. Stagnant wages, disappearing pensions, and rising costs have made economic security feel out of reach for working people.I support raising the minimum wage, expanding overtime eligibility, strengthening unions, and investing in apprenticeships and skills training that lead to good-paying jobs. I also believe companies must correctly classify workers and stop exploiting loopholes to avoid paying fair wages and benefits.Retirement security should be a promise, not a gamble. I will protect pensions, strengthen Social Security, oppose privatization, and ensure workers never lose the retirement they earned because of corporate greed or bankruptcy games. For too long, our economy has been rigged to reward the wealthy and well-connected while working families struggle to get ahead. I believe the strength of our economy depends on the strength of our workers, their wages, their rights and their ability to bargain collectively. When we invest in workers, protect labor standards and ensure everyone pays their fair share, we build shared prosperity that lifts entire communities. Congress must rewrite the rules of the economy so work is rewarded with dignity, security, and opportunity.<h3>Better Wages, Jobs, and Skills</h3><ul><li>We must be a country that honors work with fair pay and real opportunity.</li><li>Many jobs in Texas - do not pay enough to support a family. Workers deserve wages that reflect today’s cost of living.</li></ul><h4>To live up to that value, we must:</h4><ul><li>Raise the federal minimum wage.</li><li>Expand apprenticeships and technical training.</li><li>Invest in infrastructure that creates local jobs.</li><li>Protections from AI displacement</li></ul><h4>Actions</h4><ul><li>If we take these actions, families will have higher wages, better job security, and a path to long-term economic mobility.</li><li>I support the independent and bipartisan nature of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Federal Reserve, Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and other congressionally designated independent agencies.</li></ul>

Work should pay enough to build a life, retire with dignity, and support a family. Right now, too many jobs don’t. Stagnant wages, disappearing pensions, and rising costs have made economic security feel out of reach for working people.

Better Pay, Stronger Jobs, and Retirement Security

<h4>Jessica Montoya Coggins</h4><a href="https://texassignal.com/the-texas-congressional-shake-up-2/">https://texassignal.com/the-texas-congressional-shake-up-2/</a>The Texas Signal 24 Sep 2025The redistricting saga has left many Texas congressional members and candidates in a peculiar game of political musical chairsWhen State Rep. James Talarico announced he was&nbsp;<a href="https://texassignal.com/james-talarico-enters-texas-senate-race/">entering</a>&nbsp;the Democratic Senate primary, it was the latest shake-up to an already chaotic Texas political year. It was just a few months ago when word started to spread that the Trump White House was seriously&nbsp;<a href="https://texassignal.com/the-stakes-of-redistricting/">considering</a>&nbsp;redistricting overhauls in states like Texas to potentially thwart losing the House.That whole process, which culminated with Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://texassignal.com/redistricting-bill-clears-texas-senate/">passing</a>&nbsp;a new redistricting bill that could potentially net them five more Republican seats, has now left many candidates in a peculiar game of political musical chairs. Some members of congress, like Greg Casar, will be running in a different district than the ones they were originally elected to represent.With Casar now running in TX-37, that leaves Lloyd Doggett effectively&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/08/lloyd-doggett-greg-casar-texas-redistricting-retirement-democrats-aust/?ref=texassignal.com">retired</a>. While that was not a foregone conclusion, Texas Democrats can at least avoid a costly primary and a generational battle.In North Texas, Democrats are still waiting to hear the plans for a trio of congressmembers: Marc Veasey, Julie Johnson, and Jasmine Crockett. Veasey and Johnson’s districts have been totally redrawn, while Crockett’s remains mostly similar (though her current residence was drawn out).But up north, it’s been business (almost) as usual for candidate Evan Hunt, a veteran and combat aviator who has been running for TX-3 for several months (and well before any whiff of redistricting or quorum breaks was on the horizon). Texas Signal spoke with Hunt about what it’s like to be running for a congressional seat only to see it change midway during the campaign. The biggest change to TX-3 is that it now stretches to Sulphur Springs and has lost Frisco, a rapidly growing suburb north of Dallas.Hunt called the whole redistricting process “frustrating and clearly an abuse of power.” Losing Frisco was particularly stinging since he and his team had spent considerable time there.But, Hunt notes that the very act of redistricting, and especially chopping up Collin County, shows Republicans were worried about losing the U.S. House in next year’s midterm elections. TX-3 has not been represented by a Democrat since the 1960’s, but their current Rep. Keith Self has faced raucous&nbsp;<a href="https://texassignal.com/redistricting-bill-clears-texas-senate/">town halls</a>&nbsp;(when he is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.collindemocrats.org/news-release-keith-self-digs-deeper-hole-with-sham-town-hall-stunt/?ref=texassignal.com">holding</a>&nbsp;them at all).According to Hunt, a district like TX-3 could be ripe for a flip under the right circumstances. “At the end of the day they are redistricting because there was acknowledgment that [they] could lose the house in Texas,” he told Signal.For now, Hunt remains focused on his campaign. And the redistricting saga has fired up Hunt even more. “The whole reason I am running is because of moves like this,” said Hunt.Redistricting has also opened the door for candidates to toss their hat into the new rings, so to speak. Tejano musician Bobby Pulido recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/17/bobby-pulido-launches-texas-congress-campaign/?ref=texassignal.com">announced</a>&nbsp;he would be running as a Democrat in TX-15. A few cycles ago the district was considered one of the only competitive parts of the Texas congressional map. Republican Monica de la Cruz has represented it since 2023 (after it went through a redistricting shake-up after the 2020 census). The district will once again change and remains solidly Republican, but Pulido believes he has a compelling message for the community.Another new (but familiar) entry into the congressional landscape is John Lira. A former Marine, Lira previously ran for Congress in 2022 in TX-23 against Tony Gonzales. Now he’s running in TX-35 (the seat Casar opted not to run for) and launching his campaign September 30. Running for office was far from Lira’s mind just a few weeks ago. In fact, he had relocated to San Antonio and was preparing to start a new role with a veteran’s nonprofit, an opportunity that he said was practically written for him.But, Lira decided to dip back into politics. “I can’t stand idly by,” Lira told Texas Signal. He described the redistricting process as “the big steal of 2025” and that “no Texan I know asked for redistricting.”As he prepares to launch his campaign, Lira is cognizant of the uphill congressional terrain. But, he’s used to challenges. “I served my country once in uniform and now I’m ready to serve again.”Both Hunt and Lira are looking ahead to the March primary in Texas. But a nearer deadline looms for a congressional race in Houston: TX-18. The race to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Sylvester Turner is slated for November (and a run-off is likely). There are multiple high-profile candidates including current Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, former Councilwoman Amanda Edwards and State Rep. Jolanda Jones. The winner will serve out the remainder of Turner’s term. And then in March there’s a whole new primary for a re-drawn TX-18 that might include Congressman Al Green, redistricted out of his current district.Even as the challenges to the redistricting bill persist, the game of congressional musical chairs continues.

The Texas Congressional Shake-up

<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/candidates-delay-entering-congressional-races-005545538.html">https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/candidates-delay-entering-congressional-races-005545538.html</a>AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Over the weekend, candidates for races at the local, state, and federal level began officially filing to have their name placed on the ballot in the upcoming March primary election. But a lawsuit over the legality of newly drawn congressional districts have some candidates delaying their official entrance into races.State Republicans successfully redrew congressional maps over the summer to give their party an advantage to pick up five additional seats in Congress during next year’s midterm elections. The new map is being challenged in court and a panel of three judges in El Paso are poised to make a decision on temporary blocking its implementation.The timing of the decision is unknown at this point. Candidates who intend to run for office in March have to officially file with state and county party chairs by Dec. 8. Brian Smith, a political professor at St. Edward’s University, said a few things could happen if the court decides to place a temporary injunction on the congressional map.One scenario is the state may be compelled to redraw the maps. Smith speculated the legislature may already have contingency maps ready in case of a ruling that goes against its favor. He added that the court could also redraw the map itself, or order the map be reverted to the current district boundaries established in 2021.The one thing that is certain, Smith said, is an appeal is likely inevitable no matter what decision the panel of judges makes. An injunction at this point could possibly lead to an extended filing deadline for candidates or even possibly pushing back the primary, which is scheduled for March 3.Chris McGinn, the executive director for the Texas Association of County Election Officials (TACEO) said the Texas Secretary of State is instructing election officials to adjust to the newly adopted congressional map. In the event the map is blocked, McGinn said there is a possibility the state could hold a special primary election just for congressional races at a later date in May or June, while Texans would still be allowed to vote for other positions on March 3. Other states, like North Carolina, have done this in the past.One candidate keeping his eye on the court’s decision is John Lira, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who is campaigning for the Democratic primary in Texas Congressional District 35. CD 35 was one of the five districts state Republicans targeted to flip from blue to red control.The new district lines encompass all of Guadalupe, Wilson, and Karnes counties, and takes up a large chunk of south and east Bexar county. The area heavily favored President Donald Trump in 2024 after he outpaced former Vice President Kamala Harris by 10 points. Lira, who grew up in southeast San Antonio, said he believes he can still win the seat for Democrats.“This is not a Trump year where he’s on the ballot,” Lira said. “If you look back to anything like what happened in New Jersey or Virginia, if that resonates here in Texas just slightly, then we can hold this seat.”Lira, who worked in the Small Business Administration, said he wants to revive businesses in the district and focus on policies that attack affordability issues. The seat he is campaigning for is currently held by Democratic Congressman Greg Casar. After the state legislature passed the new map, Casar was drawn out of CD-35 and placed in CD-37, held by fellow Democratic Congressman Llyod Doggett. Casar is now running to replace Doggett in that district.CD-35 used to encompass parts of Austin and San Antonio, stretching along the I-35 corridor between the two cities. If the map is reverted back to its original boundaries, then Lira would no longer live in that district, and he said he would have to consider all his options.“I know Lloyd Doggett will have to consider if he will get back in, and I know Greg Casar will have to consider what he does,” Lira explained. “So, it’s a little bit of a domino effect, but the mission stays the same. We want to provide a voice. We want to provide solutions for the people here in this part of Texas.”Because of the uncertainty of the situation, Lira said he intends to wait to file for candidacy until the first week of December. There is a cost associated with filing to run for a political position in Texas. To run for a U.S. House of Representative seat, the fee is $3,125.On the other side of the ticket, Josh Cortez is campaigning in the Republican primary of CD-35 and has been outperforming all of his competition in fundraising. If the map is reverted to its previous boundaries, he too would no longer live within CD-35. But he said he feels confident the courts will uphold the map and he intends to pursue a run in the district.“We have made a promise to this people in this area, and that’s a plan that I continue to that we continue to execute on,” Cortez said. He has not officially filed to run for the position, but he says he intends to do it soon after Veterans Day.Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/candidates-delay-entering-congressional-races-005545538.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Link: Texas Nexstar, KXAN Austin, KTSM 9 News El Paso, Yahoo News</a>Story by: Dylan McKim

Some candidates delay entering congressional races amid legal battle over new district boundaries

Join Texans for John Lira on Saturday, February 28, 2026 for a morning of action in Southeast San Antonio as we continue building grassroots momentum across TX-35.

Canvass with Lira for Congress — Southeast San Antonio

<a href="/october-20-2025-big-bend-radio-john-lira-interview.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Link: Big Bend Radio</a>

John Lira Interviews on Big Bend Radio

Statement from John Lira on The Fifth Anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection San Antonio, TX - John Lira, Marine Corps veteran and candidate for Texas’s newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, issued the following statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection. “January 6th should never be forgotten.That day, brave Capitol Police officers held the line against a violent mob to protect our democracy. Many of them are still living with the physical and emotional consequences of that day—while President Trump has literally pardoned many of the people who led or participated in the attack on the Constitution and our democracy that day. Just today his White House released a statement attempting to rewrite history, calling the attackers – peaceful patriotic protesters – and blaming Democrats for the attempted coup. As someone who swore an oath to defend the Constitution at all costs, I can tell you that there was nothing patriotic about the actions of the President and the protesters on this day 5 years ago. I was serving on Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s staff at the time. I watched helplessly as my boss and colleagues were forced to bunker down inside the Capitol while the seat of our democracy was under attack.There was nothing peaceful or patriotic about that attack on the Capitol. January 6th is a constant reminder of what’s at risk when leaders put themselves and holding onto power ahead of the people they serve. Democracy is fragile. It only survives if we defend it—and if we tell the truth about what happened.”John LiraCandidate for U.S. Congress, Texas-35John Lira is available for media interviews. Please contact Juan Rodriguez at 312-771-0263 and <a href="mailto:juan@liraforcongress.com">juan@liraforcongress.com</a>###About John LiraA fourth-generation Mexican American from San Antonio’s Southeast Side, Lira enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 17 and served 11 years, including two deployments to Iraq. Using the GI Bill, he became the first in his family to graduate from college (San Antonio College, University of Texas-San Antonio) and later earned a master’s from Carnegie Mellon University. He continued public service in the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative fellow, a management and program analyst at the Small Business Administration and AmeriCorps, and a national commission focused on military, national, and public service. Lira has dedicated his career to helping those who serve, from veterans starting businesses and to serving as the senior presidential advisor for Americorps. John is committed to supporting all those who serve their communities and country.

Statement from John Lira on The Fifth Anniversary of the  January 6 Insurrection 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 10, 2025Contact: Juan Rodriguez&nbsp;<a href="mailto:juan@liraforcongress.com">juan@liraforcongress.com</a>312-771-0263MARINE CORPS VETERAN JOHN LIRA ANNOUNCES THE SALUTE ACT WILL BE HIS FIRST BILL IN CONGRESSProposal Guarantees Military Pay During Shutdowns — Withholds Pay for Congress Members If Troops Aren’t Paid San Antonio, TX — As the nation prepares to honor military service on Veterans Day, John Lira, Marine Corps veteran and candidate for Texas’s newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, today announced his first piece of legislation if elected: The SALUTE Act — Securing Active-duty Livelihoods Under Temporary Emergencies.The bill would permanently ensure that America’s active-duty troops, National Guard, and Reserves continue to receive full pay and benefits during any government shutdown — just like Members of Congress do. No pay for service members will mean no pay for Congress members. <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=_Xh4QsViZGA&amp;feature=youtu.be">Watch Lira’s message on The SALUTE Act</a>“If Congress gets paid, our troops should too — period,” said Lira. “No politics. No delays. Just paychecks on time. Maybe politicians in Washington will work harder to figure out how to prevent a shutdown when their taxpayer-funded paychecks are on the line like they have been for our men and women in uniform.”With the 2025 government shutdown now the longest in history, nearly 250,000 federal employees and military members in Texas have been at-risk of missed paychecks. For many families already struggling to afford basic needs, that means deciding whether to pay rent, buy groceries, or fill the tank.“When you’re deployed, you’re focused on protecting your brothers and sisters - not whether Congress passed a budget,” Lira said. When I volunteered to serve, I did so believing the country had my back. But during this government shutdown, while our troops should be focused on their mission, they are having to worry about whether their families back home can pay rent and buy groceries because their paychecks are not guaranteed. That’s not American. That’s not having our back and that damn sure not thanking us for our service.”Lira’s SALUTE ACT would provide permanent protection for America’s military families during lapses in federal funding, holding their salaries to the same standard as Members of&nbsp; Congress&nbsp; — ensuring accountability for politicians and stability for those who serve.&nbsp;Lira, a fourth-generation Mexican-American from San Antonio’s Southeast Side, dedicated 13 years to the U.S. Marine Corps, completing two combat tours in Iraq. After his service, he leveraged the GI Bill to earn degrees from the University of Texas San Antonio and Carnegie Mellon. He then took his expertise to Washington, serving in Congress, Americorps, and the Small Business Administration, where he helped veterans launch businesses.“This isn’t about politics — it’s about priorities,” said Lira. “If I’m elected to Congress, I’ll make sure Washington remembers and values those who serve this country in uniform.”Resources for Texans affected by the shutdown are available through Feeding Texas, which is providing food and aid statewide.###About John Lira:John is a fourth-generation Mexican American from San Antonio’s Southeast Side. At only 17, Lira raised his hand and swore an oath to protect and defend the United States and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served 11 years, including two deployments to Iraq. Using the GI Bill, he became the first in his family to graduate from college, first at San Antonio College and later at The University of Texas-San Antonio, and later earned a master’s from Carnegie Mellon University.&nbsp;He continued public service in the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative fellow, a management and program analyst at the Small Business Administration, in AmeriCorps, and on a national commission focused on military, national, and public service.&nbsp;Lira is married to Dr. Michelle Espino Lira and is the father of one daughter, Rozlyn. More at <a href="http://liraforcongress.com">liraforcongress.com</a>

MARINE CORPS VETERAN JOHN LIRA ANNOUNCES THE SALUTE ACT WILL BE HIS FIRST BILL IN CONGRESS

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. I want to help spark a new generation of entrepreneurship so more people can build wealth, create jobs, and invest in their own neighborhoods.I have seen firsthand how small businesses strengthen local economies and grow the middle class when owners have access to training, capital, and fair markets. Congress should be removing barriers, not creating them, and making sure large corporations do not crowd out local businesses.Expanding opportunity means giving people a fair shot to succeed where they live. I will fight for policies that help small businesses start, grow, and stay rooted in Texas-35.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. I want to help spark a new generation of entrepreneurship so more people can build wealth, create jobs, and invest in their own neighborhoods.

Small Business and Opportunity

The pandemic exposed what working families already knew: our work and family policies are broken. No one should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for a child, a parent, or themselves.Paid leave, paid sick days, and affordable child and elder care are not perks; they are basic economic infrastructure that improve public health, workplace productivity, and economic stability. I believe Congress must modernize our policies so every worker can care for their family without fear of losing their job or falling behind financially.&nbsp;I support paid family and sick leave, guaranteed paid sick days, and restoring the expanded Child Tax Credit that cut child poverty nearly in half. A national standard ensures all workers are protected, regardless of where they live or work. I also support lowering child care costs, expanding Pre-K, and ensuring care workers earn fair pay and have the right to organize.<h4>Support Parents:</h4><ul><li>We must be a country that supports parents and children so they can thrive, not just survive.</li><li>Parents in Texas-35 are struggling with child care costs that often exceed their rent. That pushes families into debt and keeps people out of the workforce.</li></ul><h4>To live up to that value, we must:</h4><ul><li>Paid Family and Sick Leave for all</li><li>Restore the expanded Child Tax Credit. Cut child poverty by nearly half.&nbsp;</li><li>Increase child care subsidies and availability.&nbsp;</li><li>Support early childhood educators with fair pay.</li><li>Expand Pre-K access for working families.</li></ul><h4>Together:</h4>If we take these steps, families will have economic stability, children will have better educational opportunities, and parents will be able to return to work with confidence.

The pandemic exposed what working families already knew: our work and family policies are broken. No one should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for a child, a parent, or themselves.

Supporting Parents, Children, and the Care Economy

Immigration enforcement must be transparent, lawful, and constitutional. No federal agency should operate in secrecy or intimidate communities without accountability.I support comprehensive immigration reform that reflects our values as a nation founded by immigrants while maintaining public safety and the rule of law. That includes modernizing lawful pathways, improving visa programs so key industries have the workforce they need, and protecting workers who contribute to our economy.I also support strengthening due process in the asylum system by ensuring access to legal representation and timely hearings. Enforcement should focus on human traffickers, drug traffickers, and organized criminal networks, not families and workers seeking opportunity. Immigration policy can be firm, fair, and constitutional at the same time.

Immigration enforcement must be transparent, lawful, and constitutional. No federal agency should operate in secrecy or intimidate communities without accountability.

Immigration Reform and Accountability

Link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOvPTqnd-8Q&amp;t=624s" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">American Small Business League Podcast with John Lira</a>

John Lira, House Candidate, Texas District 35 on ASBL Podcast

Link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73XI9K0JtG8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ImpactoAZ Podcast Interview with John Lira TX CD35</a>

Can a Democrat Win A GOP Gerrymandered Congressional Seat? John Lira Thinks So.

Molly Smith, San Antonio Express-News, October 17, 2025John Lira, a retired Marine and former Democratic congressional candidate, is trying to keep the&nbsp;redrawn Texas Congressional District 35&nbsp;blue.He was the first Democratic candidate to announce his bid for the open seat, which is now anchored in San Antonio’s South Side and stretches into Guadalupe, Wilson and Karnes counties.“I feel like some of San Antonio’s most historic communities that are in this area that keeps being redrawn — our South Side down Military Drive, our Southeast Side, our East Side communities — are just being pushed around at the favor of the Texas Legislature,” Lira said.“I’m running essentially for them, to stand up to be their leader, their voice in Washington, D.C.,” he added.District 35 is one of five congressional seats that the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature reworked to give their party an edge in the 2026 midterm election. The seat would have favored President Donald Trump by 10 points if the map had been in place during last year’s presidential election.It’s currently held by progressive Democrat Greg Casar of Austin, who is leaving the district to run in the newly-reconfigured District 37.Voting and civil rights organizations sued to block the new maps from being used in the 2026 election. A nine-day federal hearing in the case concluded earlier this month. A ruling could come before candidates are scheduled to begin filing for a place on the primary ballot on Nov. 8.Bexar County sheriff’s deputy Johnny Garcia recently&nbsp;launched a campaign&nbsp;to become the Democratic nominee for District 35.Advertisement Article continues below this adWhitney Masterson-Moyes, who owns a clay shooting club in Guadalupe County, is also running in the Democratic primary.Lira joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from East Central High School and served two tours of combat duty in Iraq. Most recently, he was senior advisor for veteran and military families for AmeriCorps.He was the 2022 Democratic nominee for District 23, which sprawls from San Antonio to El Paso County. He lost to Republican Tony Gonzales by 17 points.Lira said that experience and the connections he made with local Democratic officials and national organizations give his campaign “a running head start.”The Republican primary for District 35 has drawn considerable interest.State Rep. John Lujan is running for the seat. The majority of his Texas House District 118 falls within the district’s redrawn lines.Air Force veteran and San Antonio kickboxing gym owner Carlos De La Cruz&nbsp;recently launched his campaign. His sister is Republican U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, who represents a district in South Texas.Monica De La Cruz’s former advisor, Josh Cortez, is also vying for the seat.Link- Behind Paywall: <a href="https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/john-lira-texas-congressional-district-35-21100302.php">https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/john-lira-texas-congressional-district-35-21100302.php</a>Also ran in Yahoo News - No Paywall:<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lU7eUGSYKvFHDKmkKQfHKwVd3qb8xKdr/view?usp=share_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lU7eUGSYKvFHDKmkKQfHKwVd3qb8xKdr/view?usp=share_link </a>Also ran in MSN News - No Paywall: <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/former-congressional-candidate-aims-to-keep-district-35-blue/ar-AA1OGI4o">https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/former-congressional-candidate-aims-to-keep-district-35-blue/ar-AA1OGI4o</a>

San Antonio Express-News and Yahoo News, MSN News

Former congressional candidate John Lira aims to keep District 35 blue

Yahoo Link - <a href="https://youtu.be/k8Zr1DzOXUQ?si=Jt8FD72AJO357U2E">https://youtu.be/k8Zr1DzOXUQ?si=Jt8FD72AJO357U2E</a>Substack Link - <a href="https://brianjkarem.substack.com/p/young-leaders-john-lira?utm_source=youtube">https://brianjkarem.substack.com/p/young-leaders-john-lira?utm_source=youtube</a>Brian Karem Reporter's NotebookYoung Leaders: John LiraCandidate for Congress, District 35 TXIn our second in a series on “Young Leaders” we speak with Juan Lira, Democratic candidate in the newly created District 35 in Texas.John is a fourth-generation Mexican American from San Antonio’s Southeast side. At only 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served 11 years, including two deployments to Iraq. Using the GI Bill, he because the first in his family to graduate college - first at San Antonio College and later at the University of Texas-San Antonio and later earned a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon.He’s a former legislative fellow in the U.S. House of representatives and is on the ballot for the House of Representatives in the newly gerrymandered Texas 35 District.

<a href="https://youtu.be/k8Zr1DzOXUQ?si=Jt8FD72AJO357U2E" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Podcast Link</a><a href="https://brianjkarem.substack.com/p/young-leaders-john-lira?utm_source=youtube" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Substack Link</a>

Brian Karem Podcast Young Leaders: John Lira

Democracy depends on accountability and the rule of law. Congress is not meant to be a bystander. It has a constitutional duty to check abuses of power, reduce the influence of money in politics, and ensure government answers to the people.The Constitution establishes Congress as a co-equal branch with a responsibility to conduct oversight, enforce the law, and defend its authority. That means using hearings, subpoenas, appropriations, and legislation to hold the executive branch accountable and ensure no president and no court is above the Constitution.Restoring trust also means reducing the influence of big money in politics by strengthening campaign finance laws, increasing transparency, and addressing the damage caused by Citizens United. As a veteran and public servant, I swore an oath to the Constitution, not a party or a personality. If elected, I will use the powers of Congress to defend democracy and make sure government works for the people.

Democracy depends on accountability and the rule of law. Congress is not meant to be a bystander. It has a constitutional duty to check abuses of power, reduce the influence of money in politics, and ensure government answers to the people.

Protecting Democracy and the Constitution

Texas is a major energy producer, and those jobs matter. We need an energy strategy that is reliable, affordable, and forward-looking.I support an all-of-the-above energy approach that strengthens traditional energy jobs while continuing to expand renewable sources like wind and solar. Congress should work with producers to raise safety and environmental standards while encouraging cleaner and more efficient production.We must also invest in modern infrastructure and grid reliability to protect families from rising electricity costs as demand grows. A balanced energy strategy can support good-paying jobs, protect consumers, and ensure responsible stewardship for future generations.

Texas is a major energy producer, and those jobs matter. We need an energy strategy that is reliable, affordable, and forward-looking.

Energy, Jobs, and Grid Reliability

Families in Texas-35 are being squeezed from every direction. Groceries, rent, gas, utilities, and health care cost more every month while paychecks lag behind. I’m running for Congress to protect the family budget and make sure working people can afford to live with dignity.That means cracking down on corporate price gouging, banning junk fees, fighting unnecessary tariffs that raise food prices, and raising the minimum wage so one job is enough. Congress has a responsibility to lower everyday costs where it has authority and stop policies that pad corporate profits at the expense of families.Affordability is not a slogan. It’s the difference between stability and struggle. I will fight to make sure families in Texas-35 can keep more of what they earn and plan for the future.

Families in Texas-35 are being squeezed from every direction. Groceries, rent, gas, utilities, and health care cost more every month while paychecks lag behind. I’m running for Congress to protect the family budget and make sure working people can afford to live with dignity.

Lowering the Cost of Living

Marine Corps combat veteran, San Antonio native, and lifelong public servant John Lira is running for Congress in Texas’s 35th District. With over 25 years of service to his country and community, John is fighting to defend democracy, lower costs for working families, strengthen small businesses, and build a stronger Texas through leadership that listens and delivers.