San Antonio – A veteran of the U.S. Army and longtime community servant, Edgardo Báez announced his candidacy for the U.S. House in Texas’s 20th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Democrat Rep. Joaquin Castro. Báez, who grew up in Puerto Rico and later settled in San Antonio, says his life‑long experience in medicine, law, and the military equips him to defend traditional family values and individual liberty.
From the battlefield to the courtroom
Báez joined the Army straight out of high school, serving as a combat medic, paratrooper, drill sergeant, and night‑time nurse. After a 14‑year career that included a deployment to Alaska, he used the GI Bill to attend Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston while commuting to his family in San Antonio. He later opened a family‑law practice, earned a master’s in divinity and a doctorate in religious studies from Liberty University, and served as a pastor at a local church.
Why the race matters to him
“We saw socialism in Cuba during a family cruise in 2016, and we saw it creeping into our schools and government,” Báez told the San Antonio Report. He points to Rep. Castro’s votes against three Republican‑crafted resolutions denouncing socialism as evidence that the district needs a new voice. Báez argues that Castro’s support for immigration‑detention facilities and what he calls “illegal immigration” distracts from the needs of lawful workers and veterans.
Policy priorities
Báez’s platform centers on education reform, fiscal responsibility, and veteran support. He warns that Texas’s public‑education system is “teaching doctrines instead of core subjects” and calls for parental oversight of curricula. Economically, he pledges tighter oversight of spending, citing projects like Project Marvel as examples of wasteful federal involvement.
On immigration, Báez proposes a merit‑based system that prioritizes legal workers based on workplace demand, while condemning the current detention‑center approach. He also supports a strong national defense, stating he would back any U.S. military action aimed at removing socialist or communist regimes, specifically mentioning Cuba.
Campaign and community backing
The campaign is buoyed by an Army chaplain who emphasizes Báez’s strong faith and willingness to sacrifice. “We want to be good stewards of what the Lord has given us,” the chaplain said, noting that Báez’s military service demonstrates hard work and dedication.
Financially, Báez’s latest disclosures show $66,000 raised, including a $40,000 personal loan, with about $6,000 cash on hand. By comparison, Rep. Castro has raised more than $500,000 and ran unopposed in his last election.
Challenges ahead
CD‑20 is a solidly Democratic district that voted for Vice President Harris by 16 points in 2024. Even Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed doubt about the district’s flippability, and the Republican National Committee has not yet committed resources to the race. Báez acknowledges the uphill battle but says his diverse background and faith‑centered message will resonate with voters across the district’s Hispanic majority and beyond.
He has already drafted 11 bills he would introduce if elected, including legislation to improve veteran benefits and a proposal to aid a paralyzed veteran who was shot while working as a security guard. Báez says he will continue to evaluate major veteran‑related bills before taking a position.
Looking forward
The November 3 election will determine whether Báez can turn his personal story of service into a congressional seat. Voters in San Antonio and the surrounding South Texas communities will decide if they want a candidate who frames his campaign around faith, family, and a staunch defense of constitutional liberty.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
