Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, faces a challenging situation as he seeks re-election this fall following a 28-count indictment announced by the Justice Department. The indictment accuses Cuellar and his wife of accepting bribes totaling nearly $600,000 from foreign entities. While Cuellar maintains his innocence and is continuing his campaign for re-election, his Republican challengers see this as an opportunity to gain an advantage in November.
The allegations against Cuellar began circulating in 2022 when his home and campaign offices were raided as part of an investigation into Azerbaijan and businessmen connected to the nation. Despite his lawyer stating that Cuellar was not a target of the investigation at the time, he and his wife now face multiple charges, including bribery, money laundering, and violating a ban on public officials acting as foreign agents. The maximum penalties for these charges could result in more than 200 years in prison, though it is unlikely that they would face such severe sentencing.
Cuellar, a member of the House’s Blue Dogs and New Democrat Coalitions, has been in Congress since 2004 and is known for his opposition to abortion rights, which has caused friction within his party. Despite the indictment, Cuellar remains determined to win re-election in November, while his Republican opponents see this as a chance to secure a pick-up opportunity in Texas’s 28th Congressional District.
The indictment has raised questions about Cuellar’s future and whether his Democratic colleagues will call for his resignation. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed support for Cuellar, emphasizing his right to a fair legal process but also noting that Cuellar will step aside from his position as ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee’s appropriations subcommittee.
Cuellar’s challengers have wasted no time in using the indictment for campaign purposes, with one candidate referring to the charges against Cuellar as “politics normal.” The race for Texas’s 28th Congressional District has become a focal point for Republicans, who see Cuellar’s legal troubles as an opportunity to flip the seat in their favor.
Cuellar is not the only congressional member facing legal issues, as Senator Bob Menendez and former Representative George Santos are also dealing with federal charges. The outcome of Cuellar’s indictment and its impact on his re-election bid remain uncertain as the campaign season progresses.
