Dem congressional candidate's police record reveals suspensions over stolen gun, insubordination

Former Sheriff’s Deputy Johnny Garcia Faces Fresh Scrutiny in Texas 35th‑District Race

A former Bexar County sheriff’s deputy who is running for the U.S. House in Texas’s newly redrawn 35th District has had two unpaid suspensions from law‑enforcement service placed under public scrutiny. The suspensions, occurring in 2009 and 2020, were uncovered in a public records request and have prompted the candidate to address the incidents amid an increasingly competitive midterm race.

The Suspensions

In 2009, Garcia was suspended for three days without pay after he brought a cell phone into a secured jail area, despite being told repeatedly that electronic devices were prohibited. The disciplinary notice read that the deputy had been warned that such conduct would “seriously impair job effectiveness.”

The second suspension, issued in 2020, lasted five days and also was unpaid. It stemmed from Garcia leaving a Glock handgun, four magazines, and his badge in his personal vehicle—an action that violated sheriff’s policy and resulted in the firearm being stolen before it was recovered. The agency’s report described the incident as “negligent behavior” that “has seriously impaired your job effectiveness.”

Deputy Noel Diaz, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, said the department handled the incidents “in strict accordance with Civil Service Commission guidelines” and that Garcia had faced no other discipline for the two incidents.

Law‑Enforcement Career and Campaign Profile

Garcia began his law‑enforcement career at 21 and has worked as a deputy, jail officer and hostage negotiator. He has highlighted this experience in his campaign, emphasizing “true public safety” and positioning himself as a centrist Democrat focused on border security, affordable living and protection of Social Security. In a statement to a news outlet, he said, “As a sheriff’s deputy, I’ve spent nearly two decades putting my own safety on the line to protect my community and keep violent criminals off our streets.”

His opponent in the general election is Air Force veteran Carlos De La Cruz, who secured the Republican nomination in May. De La Cruz’s campaign stresses veteran experience and a conservative record.

The 35th District has been reshaped by last year’s redistricting, which has made the seat far more competitive. The district was previously represented by progressive Rep. Greg Casar, who opted to run in the neighboring 37th District after the new map made his old seat more favorable to Republicans. Casar’s departure leaves the seat open for the first time since the redistricting overhaul.

Context and Reactions

The suspensions, while relatively minor in duration, have resurfaced at a time when law‑enforcement credentials are a key part of Garcia’s message. His campaign has responded by framing the incidents as “politicized claims” that distract from broader policy issues such as tariffs and foreign policy. “These politicized claims are Republicans’ desperate attempts to distract from the fact that tariffs and the war in Iran have made everything more expensive for working families,” Garcia said.

Republican campaign officials have not issued a formal statement regarding the suspensions, but the issue has entered the public debate. Analysts note that the two incidents, though decades old, could influence voters who are increasingly scrutinizing candidates’ professional histories.

Casar, who left the seat in 2024 after a 67.4%–32.6% victory, criticized the redistricting process as an attempt by state leaders to “kick people like me out of office.” His comment underscores the broader partisan battle over the 35th District, which has shifted from a solidly Democratic stronghold to a contested swing seat.

Election Outlook

The 35th District’s race is part of a larger set of contests in the 2026 midterms that many analysts predict will be the most competitive in Texas in years. With the district’s new boundaries, both parties view the seat as a potential pickup. Garcia’s campaign has emphasized his long service record and his plans for border security, hoping to appeal to a broad base that includes both moderate Democrats and independent voters.

De La Cruz, with a military background and a reputation for conservative positions, is expected to lean heavily on the district’s growing Republican base. The outcome will hinge on turnout and the ability of each candidate to mobilize voters who are still adjusting to the new district lines.

Bottom Line

Johnny Garcia’s two unpaid suspensions from the Bexar County sheriff’s office—one for bringing a cell phone into a secured area in 2009, and another for leaving a handgun unsecured in 2020—have been brought to public attention as he campaigns for the U.S. House. The incidents, while brief, add a layer of complexity to a race that has become one of the most contested in Texas as a result of last year’s redistricting. As the November 3 general election approaches, the 35th District’s voters will weigh the candidate’s law‑enforcement record against the broader political shifts shaping the state.