Johnny Garcia, a Democratic candidate for Texas’ newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, received two unpaid suspensions while serving with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, according to disciplinary records obtained through a public records request. The department confirmed the suspensions and said Garcia had not received other discipline as a result of the incidents.
The first suspension was imposed in 2009, when Garcia brought a cellphone into a secure area despite repeated instructions not to bring electronic devices there. A suspension notice cited insubordination and conduct that could seriously impair job effectiveness. Garcia was suspended without pay for three days.
In 2020, the sheriff’s office suspended Garcia for five days without pay after he left a Glock, four magazines and his badge unsecured in his vehicle. The equipment was stolen, according to the disciplinary record. The firearm was later recovered after Garcia reported it missing. The notice said the equipment had been kept in the vehicle contrary to department policy and described the conduct as a job-performance violation.
The sheriff’s office did not provide further context about the incidents or explain how often comparable suspensions are issued. Deputy Noel Diaz said the agency handled the violations under Civil Service Commission guidelines and that the disciplinary decisions were final. Diaz also said deputies must know the commission’s policies and that each incident is handled independently.
The records have drawn attention to Garcia’s law enforcement background, which is a prominent part of his campaign. He joined the sheriff’s office at age 21 and later worked at the county jail and as a hostage negotiator, according to the supplied account. Garcia’s campaign statement said he had spent nearly two decades risking his safety to protect his community and characterized attention to the suspensions as a political effort to distract voters. The statement also criticized the effects of tariffs and the war in Iran on household costs.
Garcia is running against Republican Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran, for the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Greg Casar. Garcia has not previously held elected office. His campaign presents him as a centrist Democrat and lists border security, affordability and protection of programs such as Social Security among its priorities.
The district’s boundaries changed after Texas lawmakers approved a redistricting plan. Casar, who won reelection in the previous version of the 35th District in 2024 with 67.4% of the vote, opted to seek reelection in neighboring District 37. He said the new maps were designed to remove him from office. The supplied material describes the upcoming contest as more competitive than prior elections in the district.
Garcia cleared the Democratic primary in May, and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 3. The source material does not provide a response from De La Cruz to the records or Garcia’s comments.
