SEGUIN, Texas ( November 18, 2025) — Conservative Republican Josh Cortez condemned today’s ruling out of El Paso, where a three-judge federal panel temporarily blocked Texas’ new congressional map. Cortez said the decision is misguided, ill-informed, and an unacceptable attempt by unelected judges to interfere with the will of Texans.

“This ruling is wrong on the law and wrong for the people of District 35,” Cortez said. “The current 35th Congressional District map is lawful, constitutional, and reflects real communities with real shared interests. I am running in this district because Texans — not judges — should decide who represents them.”

Cortez contrasted the 2025 map with the previous 2021 version, calling it one of the most nonsensical districts ever drawn in Texas.

“The 2021 map was gerrymandered beyond understanding — slicing tiny slivers of neighborhoods across vast stretches of Central Texas and creating a district that made no sense for voters,” Cortez said. “The Legislature finally fixed that mess. The new map is fair, rational, and absolutely should stand.”

Cortez made clear that today’s ruling changes nothing about his commitment to the race.

“I’m still running in Texas’ 35th Congressional District, and I am in it to win it,” Cortez said. “The current 35th District is real, it is lawful, and its voters deserve a representative who shares their values, stands with President Trump, and fights for their future. That’s exactly what I intend to do.”

The 35th Congressional District includes part of Bexar County and all of Guadalupe, Karnes, and Wilson Counties.

Cortez’s campaign continues to build strong momentum after outraising all his Republican opponents combined in the third quarter. His message of Faith, Family, Future — and Texas First — continues resonating across the district.