McAllen, Edinburg based Texas House races show differing campaign fundraising
Photo above: The Texas House of Representatives. Photo credit: Austin Price, Texas Tribune.
Arnoldo Mata
Edinburg, TX – Newly filed campaign finance reports reveal sharp contrasts in fundraising and cash on hand among candidates running in two South Texas House districts ahead of the March primaries, with an open-seat contest in House District 41 drawing heavier financial activity than the largely quiet race in House District 40.
District 40
In Texas House District 40, Democratic incumbent Terry Canales is seeking reelection and faces no primary opposition. Canales reported $48,750 in political contributions during the reporting period and ended with $282,898.54 in cash on hand and no outstanding loans. The district is based primarily in Edinburg and includes portions of northeast McAllen, Pharr and San Juan.
Republican challengers in District 40 reported limited campaign activity. Celeste Cabrera-Huff reported $4,718.53 in political contributions and $7,307.82 in cash on hand. Vangela Churchill reported $697.92 in contributions and $94.30 in cash on hand. Nehemias Gomez reported no political contributions or cash on hand and disclosed $2,680 in outstanding loans.
District 41
In Texas House District 41, the seat is open following the decision by Democratic state Rep. Bobby Guerra not to seek reelection. The district is based primarily in McAllen and extends into parts of Edinburg, Pharr and Mission.
On the Democratic side, Victor “Seby” Haddad reported the strongest fundraising totals in the race. Haddad reported $174,295.91 in political contributions during the reporting period from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2025, and ended the year with $216,280.98 in cash on hand and no outstanding loans.
Democratic candidate Eric Holguín reported $21,544.86 in political contributions during the reporting period from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2025, and ended the year with $5,488.04 in cash on hand and $25,000.00 in outstanding loans..
Julio Mauricio Salinas, also running in the Democratic primary, reported $68,491.31 in political contributions and $41,715.25 in cash on hand, with no outstanding loans.
Republican candidates in District 41 reported more modest fundraising totals. Gary Groves reported $18,338.70 in contributions and $21,528.25 in cash on hand, along with $26,250 in outstanding loans. Sarah Sagredo-Hammond reported $68,182.61 in political contributions and $48,001.22 in cash on hand. Sergio Sanchez reported $600 in political contributions, $2,022.19 in cash on hand, and $21,000 in outstanding loans.
Campaign finance reports provide a snapshot of fundraising and spending but may not reflect late or amended filings submitted after the reporting deadline. Additional disclosures are expected as the primary election approaches.
Source — Texas Ethics Commission.