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Edgardo Rafael Baez

Republican candidate for U.S. Representative, District 20, Bexar County, Texas · Challenger

Attorney; U.S. Army veteran and former intensive care unit nurse

Edgardo Rafael Báez is a San Antonio attorney who was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He served in the U.S. Army as a combat medic, paratrooper and drill sergeant, and later worked as an intensive care unit nurse. In his first run for office, he won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary for Texas' 20th Congressional District without an opponent, and he will face Democratic incumbent Joaquin Castro on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.

Where Baez stands

Federal deficit and inflation
Wants to bring the federal deficit down to 3% of GDP or less by 2030 through spending cuts and revenue measures. Opposes broad stimulus such as $2,000 tariff rebate checks, which he compares to COVID-era stimulus that he says drove inflation.
Social Security and Medicare
Supports reforming Social Security and Medicare to deal with projected trust fund shortfalls. Lists options such as raising retirement ages, means-testing benefits, or slowing entitlement growth without raising taxes.
Immigration
Wants Congress to put border security, interior enforcement and the protection of American workers first. Opposes amnesty and any path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Also proposes a merit-based legal immigration system tied to workforce needs.
Immigration detention
Opposes closing the Dilley Immigration Processing Center. He argues that cutting detention capacity without stronger border security would not solve the problem.
Health care
Wants to change the Affordable Care Act without large subsidies, which he says mainly benefit big insurance companies. Supports an open market where people can choose from many health plans.
Public safety
Names public safety as a top priority, citing violent and property crime rates, homelessness and repeat offending among young people in the district.
Education
Calls for better reading and math programs and points to F-rated schools in the district. Says schools are teaching 'doctrines' instead of core subjects like English, math and science.
Veterans
Says he has written 11 bills to introduce if elected, including veterans-related legislation. Said he was undecided on the Major Richard Star Act and the Take Care of America's Veterans Act until he could review where the funding goes.
War powers and executive authority
Would support or introduce War Powers Resolutions requiring Congress to approve further military action. Would use appropriations to withhold money for unauthorized operations, and would back bipartisan legislation barring funds to occupy or annex Greenland.

Background

In the news

Also running for U.S. Representative, District 20

Sources

Last researched October 22, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.