San Antonio – In a district that has swung from a historic Democratic stronghold to a competitive toss‑up, Republican nominee Jorge Borrego is betting on his personal story of perseverance to win Texas House District 118. The 30‑year‑old real‑estate agent, who grew up in a one‑bedroom, one‑bathroom home on Brown Street in central El Paso with eight family members, says his early hardships gave him the perspective needed to serve his community.
From a blue house to the ballot
Born to a teenage mother in El Paso, Borrego spent his first few years living with his paternal grandparents across the border in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, before returning to the United States. He recalls waking at 4:30 a.m., taking a city bus with his younger sister, and working hard to stay on top of school and sports. “Anything was better than being in a tiny home with eight other people,” he said.
Despite a turbulent family life – his father was incarcerated when Borrego was 11 or 12 and his mother struggled with employment – he found stability through athletics and education. He played four years of football at Bel Air High School, wrestled briefly, and served on student council, eventually emerging as a team leader.
Education as a pathway to public service
After high school, Borrego earned admission to several universities, choosing the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He began as an engineering major before switching to mathematics, a field he describes as “fulfilling” and useful for problem‑solving. He later pursued a master’s in public administration at Texas A&M University‑College Station, noting that many policymakers lack quantitative fluency.
His graduate capstone placed him with the Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley, where he served as event coordinator, data administrator and policy administrator. This experience led to a role as legislative director for state Rep. J. M. Lozano (R‑Kingsville), giving Borrego a firsthand look at the legislative process.
Campaign focus and recent controversy
Running on a platform that emphasizes personal responsibility, economic opportunity and strong family values, Borrego points to his upbringing as proof that education and hard work can lift families out of poverty. He has pledged to support policies that protect parental rights, promote school choice and reduce burdens on small businesses.
Early in the campaign, Borrego faced criticism for decades‑old social‑media posts containing homophobic and racist jokes. He publicly apologized, describing the remarks as “crude and immature jokes” made when he was a child, and affirmed his commitment to treating all Texans with dignity.
What voters should know
District 118 covers San Antonio’s Southside, a region that has become a bellwether in recent elections. Borrego secured the Republican nomination in March and will face Democrat Kristian Carranza, who previously worked on Texas Democratic campaigns. While the race is officially a toss‑up, Borrego’s message of upward mobility through education and faith‑based values resonates with many conservative‑leaning voters in the area.
As the November election approaches, both candidates are intensifying outreach, holding town halls and meeting with local faith leaders. Voters are encouraged to review each candidate’s platform, attend community events, and consider how each candidate’s vision aligns with the values of family, faith and individual liberty that define the district.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
