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Adam Bauman leads Republican candidates for District 16 Congressional seat in early voting
The winner of the Republican primary will advance to the Nov. 3 election to face incumbent U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, who's unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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Retired Border Patrol agent Adam Bauman is leading in early voting among seven candidates in the Republican primary for Texas' District 16 congressional seat, likely heading into a May runoff. The Republican candidates campaigned largely in support of policies that align with President Donald Trump and his administration, including taking a hard-line against illegal immigration.
Why it matters
The race for the District 16 congressional seat is an important one, as the winner will represent a significant portion of El Paso County in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Republican primary is particularly competitive, with seven candidates vying for the nomination to challenge the incumbent Democrat, Veronica Escobar, in the general election.
The details
Bauman, 49, a Navy veteran who now runs a canine drug detection business, garnered 25% of the early vote. He's followed by convicted former Judge Manuel J. Barraza with nearly 17% of the early vote, businessman Hector Cabildo with about 16% and middle school history teacher Ruben Arturo Rios with nearly 14%. The other GOP candidates include Navy veteran Raul 'Bullet' Castaneda, who had 11% of the early vote; and retired office manager Marcy Chavez and retired Border Patrol agent Deliris 'DMB' Montanez, who each had 9% of the early vote.
- The Republican candidates are seeking their party's nomination to face incumbent U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar in the Nov. 3 midterms.
- To secure their party's nomination outright, primary candidates must receive more than 50% of the vote. If that threshold isn't met, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff election May 26.
The players
Adam Bauman
A 49-year-old retired Border Patrol agent who is now running a canine drug detection business and is making his first run for office.
Manuel J. Barraza
A convicted former judge who is running for the Republican nomination.
Hector Cabildo
A businessman who is running for the Republican nomination.
Ruben Arturo Rios
A middle school history teacher who is running for the Republican nomination.
Veronica Escobar
The incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative for District 16, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
What they’re saying
“I would like to see more spending on helping veterans rather than helping 'the illegals'.”
— Raul 'Bullet' Castaneda, Navy veteran and Republican candidate (elpasomatters.org)
“I believed voters would give me a second chance at public service.”
— Manuel J. Barraza, Convicted former judge and Republican candidate (elpasomatters.org)
What’s next
To secure their party's nomination outright, primary candidates must receive more than 50% of the vote. If that threshold isn't met, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff election on May 26.
The takeaway
The Republican primary for the District 16 congressional seat is a highly competitive race, with seven candidates vying for the nomination. The winner will face a tough challenge in the general election against the incumbent Democrat, Veronica Escobar, who is seeking her fifth term in office.
