Joaquin Castro has served as the U.S. representative for Congressional District 20 since 2013.
SAN ANTONIO — Joaquin Castro, the San Antonio Democrat and longtime U.S. House representative for Congressional District 20, faces little opposition in his bid to win the nomination on Tuesday. Just two challengers – Kendra Elizabeth Wilkerson and John Atwood – have thrown their hat in the ring to try and unseat him.
It’s the first time, however, that Castro has faced primary opposition since he won 92% of the vote in the 2020 Democratic Primary. He needs at least 50% of the vote to win outright on Tuesday night and avoid the May runoff.
As of 9 p.m., he was in prime position to do so. He has collected nearly 90% of ballots so far, with 67% of Texas counties reporting results. His closest opponent, Kendra Elizabeth Wilkerson, had less than 10%
Castro once upon a time considered a run for Texas attorney general as he, state Rep. James Talarico and former U.S. Reps. Colin Allred and Beto O’Rourke considered creating a statewide Democratic slate of nominees, the congressman said at a Texas Tribune Festival panel last fall. But the group couldn’t reach consensus on who should run for other major statewide positions.
The congressman has been highly visible in recent weeks, having visited South Texas to rally against federal immigration policies and successfully pushing for the release of Minnesota boy Liam Conejo Ramos from a detention facility in Dilley.
The lone Republican running for historically blue U.S. House District 20 is Edgardo Rafael Baez, a military veteran and longtime attorney who says he wants to help grow Texas businesses, create more jobs and support defending the country’s borders.
About the district
Congressional District 20 covers 180 square miles, mostly on San Antonio’s west side—from the Terrell Wells neighborhood stretching up towards the Interstate 10 / Loop 1604 area and west toward Westover Hills.
According to U.S. Census data, the district includes about 767,00 residents, 72% of which are Hispanic. The median age is 34.1 years old and the median per-capita income in the area is just over $30,000.
For more coverage and results of the 2026 Texas Primaries, visit kens5.com/elections.