FBI Targets Cuellar and Other News for January 20

Jeff Blaylock
Jan 21, 2022

The Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the home and campaign office of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) yesterday according to multiple news reports.

In a statement, Cuellar said he “will fully cooperate in any investigation [and] is committed to ensuring that justice and the law are upheld.”

The bureau’s actions come less than four weeks before early voting begins in the Democratic primary. Cuellar faces 2020 challenger Jessica Cisneros, a Laredo immigration attorney who narrowly lost by 4 points, and Laredo community organizer Tannya Benavides. Cisneros raised nearly $2M for her 2020 campaign thanks to significant national attention from progressive organizations and donors. In a statement, Cisneros said she is “closely watching” the developments and “focused on our campaign.”

AG (Likely R): Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton (R) raised nearly $2.8M during the second half of 2021, and he entered 2022 with $7.5M on hand, according to an incomplete report filed yesterday (Wednesday). More than three quarters of Paxton’s contribution total is presently unitemized.

In an accompanying text annotation, Paxton’s team cites technical issues preventing the “pre-population of the multitude of contributions received by the candidate.” The report’s totals are correct, according to the annotation, and an amended report will be filed once the “complete data set can be uploaded.”

The George P. Bush (R) campaign released a new ad, “Defend Texas,” focusing on border security.

SD11 open (Likely R): Texas Alliance for Life PAC endorsed Robin Armstrong (R), putting it at odds with Texas Right to Life, which endorsed Rep. Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville), in this primary race.

HD122 open (Likely R): U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) endorsed Mark Dorazio (R).

CD35 open (Safe R): U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-Houston) endorsed Rodriguez.

Tarrant Co.: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) endorsed Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) for district attorney.

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Jeff Blaylock

Senior News Editor
at
TXElects