Tano Tijerina

Tano Tijerina is the Webb County Judge, a post he has held since 2015, and the Republican nominee in Texas's 28th District. A former minor league baseball player and rancher, he was elected county judge as a Democrat and switched to the Republican Party in December 2024. He won the March 2026 Republican primary and is running on border security, affordability and public safety.[1][2]

Tijerina earned a bachelor's degree in fitness and sports from Texas A&M International University.[1] He played minor league baseball and worked in the ranching industry before his judgeship, and Ballotpedia also lists him as executive vice president of the Precept Ministries Spanish Board.[1]

Tijerina was elected Webb County Judge in 2014 as a Democrat and took office in 2015. He won re-election in 2018 with 76.3% against Republican Alfonso Casso and again in 2022, when no general election was held after he advanced from the Democratic primary unopposed.[1][2] In December 2024 he switched to the Republican Party, saying, according to the Texas Tribune, that the Democratic Party no longer aligned with his values.[1][2] He says his record as county judge includes cutting property taxes five times, delivering $20 million in utility relief, and expanding healthcare access in Webb County.[1]

Tijerina announced his campaign for Congress on December 2, 2025; his third term as county judge runs through December 31, 2026.[2] He won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary with 74.3% of the vote over Eileen Day.[1]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.