SouthernWorldwide.com – A congressional race in Texas, already facing scrutiny, has ignited further controversy as veterans have spoken out against political advertisements released just before Memorial Day weekend. These ads target a veteran endorsed by President Donald Trump, mocking him for his military disability.
With the Republican primary runoff election for Texas’ 35th Congressional District between John Lujan and Carlos De La Cruz drawing near, a mailer distributed this week by the Lujan-affiliated political action committee, Protect and Serve, has drawn widespread condemnation. The ad specifically targets De La Cruz’s disability status, referring to him as “the ‘100% disabled’ kickboxer.”
The advertisement criticizes De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan. It suggests that he “claims a 100% disability to avoid paying any property taxes.” The ad further points out that while the VA defines 100% disability as a condition so severe it results in total impairment, De La Cruz has been physically active enough to train and operate a kickboxing gym, and also lists himself as a volunteer carpenter.
The timing of this ad, mere days before Memorial Day, has been particularly highlighted as a point of disgrace by many.
One critic vehemently stated that “Career politician John Lujan’s team is doing his dirty work, attacking a fellow veteran’s wounds.” She added that Lujan, having “never worn the uniform a single day,” lacks any understanding of the personal cost associated with such injuries.
In her view, “a man with this little honor has no business anywhere near Congress.”
She further declared that following this incident, Lujan would not receive her vote, nor the vote of any veteran she knows. She committed to personally ensuring that every veteran in the district becomes aware of Lujan’s actions.
This individual concluded by stating, “I am proudly voting for Carlos De La Cruz, and John Lujan should be ashamed of himself.”
Under Texas law, veterans who are rated 100% disabled or individually unemployable by the Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for a complete exemption from property taxes on their primary residence. Data from 2024 by the VA indicates that over 164,000 Texas veterans with a 100% disability rating are estimated to benefit from the state’s full homestead property tax exemption.
De La Cruz has a history of owning and operating a kickboxing gym in the San Antonio area.
The race between Lujan and De La Cruz is heading to a runoff on Tuesday. Neither candidate secured the necessary 50% of the vote in the initial election to clinch the GOP nomination. In their first contest, Lujan held a slight advantage, garnering approximately 32% of the vote, with De La Cruz coming in second with around 27%.
Both candidates have attracted significant endorsements. De La Cruz boasts the backing of former President Donald Trump, while Lujan is supported by Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
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This controversy unfolds as the Democratic primary in the same district has also been marked by significant contention. Democratic candidate Maureen Galindo drew national outrage for a social media post in which she expressed a desire to imprison and castrate “American Zionists.”
