# Henry Cuellar > Henry Cuellar has served as U.S. Representative for Texas's 28th Congressional District since 2005. He is one of the most conservative House Democrats. He faces a competitive race in 2026 against Republican Tano Tijerina. ## Key facts - Party: Democratic - Office sought: U.S. House of Representatives - Current office: U.S. Representative, Texas's 28th Congressional District - State: TX - District: 28 - Race: Texas's 28th Congressional District 2026 - Incumbent status: challenger - Residence: Laredo, TX - Race rating: Leans Democratic - Campaign website: https://cuellar.house.gov ## Biography Henry Cuellar was born on September 19, 1955, in Laredo, Texas. He earned his B.A. from Georgetown University, his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1987 to 2001 and as Texas Secretary of State from 1999 to 2001. He was elected to Congress in 2004. He is one of the most conservative House Democrats. ## Background - Education: B.A., Georgetown University; J.D., University of Texas School of Law; Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin - Professional background: U.S. Representative (2005–present); Texas Secretary of State (1999–2001); Texas state legislator (1987–2001) - Public service: Texas House of Representatives (1987–2001); Texas Secretary of State (1999–2001); U.S. Representative (2005–present) ## Issue positions ### Healthcare (ACA-Medicaid) Henry Cuellar supports the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicare. He co-authored a CHIP pilot program in Texas. Cuellar voted against the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' and has not supported Medicare for All. ### Immigration (Border Security) Henry Cuellar supports funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He opposes the construction of a border wall. Cuellar voted against a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill, citing a lack of oversight. He has proposed using buoys in the Rio Grande to deter illegal immigration, which would increase border enforcement measures. ### Public Safety (Crime) Henry Cuellar does not support defunding the police. He co-sponsored the Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act and the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Reform Act, indicating support for increased law enforcement powers and resources. ### Social Policy (Gender Identity) Henry Cuellar was one of two Democrats to vote for a bill that bans federal funds for schools allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls' sports. This vote restricts the participation of transgender athletes in school sports. ### Labor (PRO Act) Henry Cuellar was the only House Democrat to vote against the PRO Act in 2021. This vote prevents the PRO Act from overriding right-to-work laws in 27 states, eliminating independent contractor status for millions of gig workers, exposing employers to secondary boycott liability, and increasing small business compliance costs. ## Ratings & scorecards (as published by the issuing organizations) - Heritage Action for America: 8% (2025) — Conservative Fiscal/Social - American Conservative Union (ACU): 9 (2022) — Conservative Voting Record - Club for Growth: 36% (2024) — Fiscal Conservatism - U.S. Chamber of Commerce: 100% (2015) — Pro-Business - NRA Political Victory Fund: A (2022) — Second Amendment / Gun Rights - NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business): 100% (2024) — Small Business - AFL-CIO: 77% (2025) — Labor & Workers' Rights - League of Conservation Voters (LCV): 42% (2025) — Environment & Climate - Reproductive Freedom for All (NARAL): 63% (2025) — Reproductive Rights - Human Rights Campaign: 84% (2022) — LGBTQ+ Equality - Planned Parenthood Action Fund: F (2023) — Reproductive Rights ## Opponents in this race - [Vicente Gonzalez](https://transparencyreport.io/candidates/vicente-gonzalez-tx34-2026.md) — Democratic - [Tano Tijerina](https://transparencyreport.io/candidates/tano-tijerina-tx28-2026.md) — Republican ## Sources - TX-28 2026 — Cook Political Report: https://www.cookpolitical.com/house/race/485356 - Henry Cuellar — Bioguide Congress.gov: https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C001063 - Headshot identity source — Henry Cuellar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cuellar Last updated: 2026-07-19T20:20:26.711Z --- Source: Transparency Report — https://transparencyreport.io/candidates/henry-cuellar-tx28-2026 This is the Markdown version of the page. Cite the canonical URL above.