Ada Cuellar Enters the Race to Flip TX-15
With law school finals wrapping up in August, the South Texas native and ER doctor is gearing up to take on Monica De La Cruz—and bring real representation back to the Rio Grande Valley.
Ada Cuellar Just Launched Her Campaign to Unseat Monica De La Cruz
Ada Cuellar has officially entered the race to challenge Rep. Monica De La Cruz in Texas’s 15th Congressional District. I had the chance to speak with her briefly this week—and even in a short phone call, it was clear: she’s sharp, grounded, and deeply committed to public service.
Cuellar, a Rio Grande Valley native, is currently finishing her law degree at Syracuse University. She told me she’s in the middle of preparing for her final exams this August, but once they’re done, “you’ll be seeing a lot more of me.” Despite the heavy academic load, she’s already made it clear she plans to hit the ground running.
In a district shaped by border politics, working-class communities, and growing discontent with performative leadership, Cuellar’s candidacy brings a breath of fresh air. She emphasizes protecting reproductive rights, defending public education, and standing up for working families—issues Monica De La Cruz has repeatedly voted against.
De La Cruz, the first Republican to represent TX-15 in over a century, has aligned herself tightly with the far-right wing of the GOP. She’s supported legislation that could criminalize abortion, and she’s backed efforts to defund public education in favor of private voucher schemes—moves that harm rural and low-income communities throughout the district.
Cuellar’s challenge won’t be easy. TX-15 was redrawn in 2021 to be more favorable to Republicans. But with strong local organizing and a Democratic base hungry for leadership that actually reflects their values, this race has the potential to be a battleground.
We’ll be covering more from Ada Cuellar as her campaign ramps up after August. In the meantime, follow her on Twitter/X @VoteAdaCuellar and check out her campaign page at VoteAda.com.
Sources:
Phone conversation with Ada Cuellar, July 2025