SAN ANTONIO — Retired U.S. Navy veteran Jay Furman cruised to victory in the Republican Primary Runoff for U.S. House District 28, setting up a November showdown against embattled Democrat Henry Cuellar.
The early vote propelled Furman to an early lead over his primary opponent, rancher and businessman Lazaro Garza Jr. He's been able to sustain the advantage; with 99% of precincts reporting, Furman led 65% to 35%.
Cuellar was accused of bribery and money laundering this month, but unseating him remains a big challenge. In nearly 20 years representing District 28 –– a district that stretches from the Texas-Mexico border from Webb County to Starr County, and then runs north to southeast San Antonio –– Cuellar has sowed deep ties. More often than most of the congressmen and women who serve the region, Cuellar has held press conferences with local officials to celebrate funding he helped secure for local projects.
Seat up for grabs?
Cuellar, a 10-term congressman, and his wife were indicted on May 3, and immediately declared he was still running for reelection. But there have been calls from Republicans for him to resign and progressives who felt Democratic Party leaders shouldn't have stuck with him when the first hints of legal trouble emerged two years ago have expressed frustration.
Meanwhile, allies in his South Texas district, including some top local leaders, remain stalwart in their support of Cuellar. Some are referring to a familiar refrain: "Innocent until proven guilty."
Furman issued a video statement shortly after the news of a potential indictment, blasting Cuellar as being part of an establishment that is "selling us to other nations."
"They're trading us for their deep pockets and their forever policies that are against the values of South Texas," Furman said. "Exciting that maybe one of them will get their due."
In a Facebook post, Garza said: "There is no place for corruption in Congress!"
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