Retired Navy officer Jay Furman has emerged victorious in the Republican nomination race to challenge Representative Henry Cuellar of South Texas in the upcoming November elections. The Associated Press reported that Mr. Furman defeated his opponent, Lazaro Garza Jr., in a runoff after both candidates secured the most votes in a crowded primary back in March.
Representative Cuellar, a centrist Democrat, is facing federal bribery and money-laundering charges, which have made the political landscape more favorable for Republicans in Texas’ 28th Congressional District. The indictment alleges that Mr. Cuellar and his wife accepted over $598,000 from a Mexican bank and an oil company owned by the government of Azerbaijan over a seven-year period. Despite the charges, Mr. Cuellar maintains his innocence.
While Mr. Cuellar has a significant fundraising advantage over his Republican challenger, Mr. Furman remains optimistic about his chances in the general election. Election forecasters have shifted their ratings in favor of Mr. Furman, citing the impact of the charges against Mr. Cuellar.
Mr. Furman, a military veteran who has made immigration a focal point of his campaign, aligns himself with former President Donald Trump on issues such as border security and small business empowerment. In an interview, Mr. Furman criticized the Justice Department for what he perceives as biased enforcement of the law.
As the November elections draw near, all eyes will be on the race between Jay Furman and Henry Cuellar, as the outcome could have significant implications for the political landscape in South Texas.