Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to headline a May 2 evening reception in San Antonio to raise cash for Republican Carlos De La Cruz, the Trump-backed contender in the GOP runoff for the newly redrawn 35th Congressional District. The invitation lists Kennedy as a special guest and says he is expected to speak at the general reception. His appearance turns what could have been a relatively quiet local primary into a national political spectacle as De La Cruz and state Rep. John Lujan barrel toward a May 26 runoff.
Event flyer lists Kennedy as special guest
The Republican Party of Bexar County has been promoting the May 2 fundraiser, and a campaign flyer naming Kennedy as the reception's special guest has been circulating online. The invitation lists a 5:30 to 7 p.m. window and requests RSVPs for the exact location. De La Cruz’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As reported by San Antonio Report, Kennedy is expected to deliver remarks during the general reception.
Local stakes in a newly drawn district
The 35th District was redrawn by the Texas Legislature in a way that made the seat significantly more favorable to Republicans, and a late endorsement from former President Donald Trump helped propel De La Cruz into the runoff. That redistricting, combined with the sudden national spotlight, has turned the race into a strategic target for both parties as Democrats weigh whether to pour major resources into the district this fall. The Texas Tribune reported that the reconfigured district would have favored Trump by about 10 points and noted that De La Cruz has benefited from national backing and endorsements.
Fundraising and national backing
According to Federal Election Commission filings, De La Cruz's authorized campaign committee reported $513,096 in total receipts through March 31 and closed that reporting period with roughly $138,098 in cash on hand. Local reporting also indicates he raised about $220,000 between mid-February and the end of March and received contributions from House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Whip Tom Emmer. That mix of fundraising strength and high-profile support has helped push the runoff from a standard intraparty matchup into a race drawing national attention.
Why a cabinet secretary's appearance matters
Kennedy serves as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, a Cabinet position that won Senate confirmation in February 2025. His long public record as a prominent vaccine skeptic, combined with his high-profile role in the administration, has made his appearances at overtly partisan events notable and at times contentious among public health experts. The official HHS website lists Kennedy as secretary, and national outlets have extensively covered concerns about his views and his confirmation. By stepping into a hotly contested GOP runoff in a newly drawn San Antonio district, Kennedy all but guarantees that a local fundraiser will draw scrutiny far beyond Bexar County.
