{"id":2237035,"date":"2024-05-04T06:15:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-04T10:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cuellar-indictment-could-hand-edge-to-texas-republican-challengers-in-may-runoff-2\/"},"modified":"2024-05-04T06:16:16","modified_gmt":"2024-05-04T10:16:16","slug":"cuellar-indictment-could-hand-edge-to-texas-republican-challengers-in-may-runoff-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cuellar-indictment-could-hand-edge-to-texas-republican-challengers-in-may-runoff-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Cuellar&#8217;s indictment may boost Texas GOP challengers in May runoff"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcuellar-indictment-could-hand-edge-to-texas-republican-challengers-in-may-runoff-2%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2237035&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The indictment of Rep. Henry \u200bCuellar (D-TX) places him\u200c in a precarious situation for\u2062 re-election, potentially aiding his\u2063 Republican rival. The Justice Department filed a 28-count indictment against\u200d Cuellar, alleging bribe acceptance. Despite\u2062 proclaiming innocence, the impact on his candidacy remains uncertain. Rivals seize on the\u200d indictment for campaigning, while \u200dfellow Democrats\u200d deliberate on his future.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The indictment of Rep. <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/henry-cuellar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Henry Cuellar<\/a> (D-TX) places the vulnerable <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Democrat<\/a> in an even tighter predicament as he seeks reelection this fall, potentially giving an advantage to his <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Republican<\/a> challenger in November.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Justice Department<\/a> announced a 28-count indictment against the <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Texas<\/a> congressman and his wife on Friday, accusing Cuellar of allegedly accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities: the government of Azerbaijan and a bank based in Mexico City.<\/p>\n<p>Allegations against Cuellar began circulating in 2022, when his home and campaign offices in Laredo, Texas, were raided in January that year as part of the DOJ\u2019s investigation into Azerbaijan and businessmen connected to the nation. In April of that year, Cuellar\u2019s lawyer told several news outlets that the congressman was informed he was not the target of the investigation.<\/p>\n<p>Now, Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, are each charged\u00a0with 14 counts: two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, two counts of bribery of a federal official, two counts of conspiracy to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-president-trump-gives-pardons-to-73-individuals-and-commutes-another-70-sentences-steve-bannon-is-included\/\" title=\"BREAKING: President Trump Gives Pardons to 73 Individuals and Commutes Another 70 Sentences \u2013 Steve Bannon Is Included\">commit honest services fraud<\/a>, two counts of violating a ban on public officials acting as foreign agents, one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering, and five counts of money laundering. The charges carry a maximum sentence of more than 200 years in prison for both the congressman and his wife, but sentencing in the Cuellars\u2019 case would likely not result in the maximum penalties.<\/p>\n<p>Cuellar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/2990140\/henry-cuellar-proclaims-innocence-doj-indictment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"proclaimed his innocence\">proclaimed his innocence<\/a> ahead of the DOJ\u2019s indictment, arguing that he and his wife are innocent and that \u201ceverything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South\u00a0Texas.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBefore I took any action, I <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/henry-cuellar-proclaims-innocence-ahead-of-reported-doj-indictment\/\" title=\"Henry Cuellar asserts innocence prior to alleged DOJ indictment\">proactively sought legal advice<\/a> from the House Ethics Committee, who gave me more than one written opinion, along with an additional opinion from a national law firm,\u201d the Texas Democrat said. \u201cThe actions I took in Congress were consistent with the actions of many of my colleagues and in the interest of the American people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cuellar noted that he is still running for reelection in November and \u201cwill win.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>How the indictment will affect Cuellar\u2019s chances of reelection remains to be seen. As of Friday, Cuellar\u2019s seat was ranked \u201clikely Democrat\u201d and D-plus-3 by the <em>Cook Political Report.<\/em> However, he has faced competitive races in years past, narrowly defeating a progressive primary challenger in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>A member of the House\u2019s centrist\u00a0Blue Dogs and New Democrat Coalitions, Cuellar came to Congress in 2004. He is the sole House Democrat who opposes abortion rights, a flashpoint for several members of his own party.<\/p>\n<p>This year, Republicans Lazaro Garza and Jay Furman are heading to a runoff election on May 28 after neither candidate was able to claim 50% of the vote. Furman <a href=\"https:\/\/results.texas-election.com\/landing-page\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"exited\">exited<\/a> with 44.86%, with Garza receiving 27.13%, per the Texas Secretary of State\u2019s office.<\/p>\n<p>Shortly after news of the indictment broke, House Republicans\u2019 campaign arm released a statement asking whether Cuellar\u2019s fellow Democrats would call on him to resign.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHenry Cuellar does not put Texas first, he puts himself first,\u201d NRCC spokeswoman Delanie\u00a0Bomar said in a statement. \u201cIf his colleagues truly believe in putting \u2018people over politics,\u2019 they will call on him to resign. If not \u2013 they are hypocrites whose statements about public service aren\u2019t worth the paper they\u2019re written on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who endorsed Cuellar\u2019s reelection bid last summer, said in a statement that Cuellar is a \u201cvalued Member of the House Democratic Caucus,\u201d noting that the Texas congressman is \u201centitled to his day in court and the presumption of innocence throughout the legal process.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cuellar will, however, step aside from his position as ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee\u2019s appropriations subcommittee, Jeffries noted.<\/p>\n<p>The Texas Democrat\u2019s GOP challengers wasted no time using this indictment for campaigning purposes. Furman posted a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CommanderFurman\/status\/1786425963405771225\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>video<\/a> to X ahead of the indictment\u2019s release, calling the looming charges against Cuellar \u201cpolitics normal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis what we\u2019re dealing with, this is what we\u2019re trying to kick out,\u201d Furman said. \u201cIt\u2019s time for these guys to go. Time for the establishment to be put on their heels and pushed out for the corruption and for the attack on we, the people.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHenry Cuellar is about to be indicted for crimes that we don\u2019t yet know the extent of yet,\u201d Furman continued. \u201cWe do know, 20 years on after being in office, we\u2019re not any better.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Texas Agriculture Department Commissioner Sid Miller, who has endorsed Furman, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MillerForTexas\/status\/1786420907348509108\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"said\">said<\/a> with \u201ccorrupt\u201d Cuellar facing an indictment, \u201cthe race for [Texas\u2019s 28th Congressional District] just became a strong pick-up opportunity for Republicans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cuellar is the most recent congressional member to face federal charges. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and his wife are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2768540\/bob-menendez-indicted-democratic-new-jersey-senator-faces-federal-charges-of-bribery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>facing bribery charges<\/a> in connection to their \u201ccorrupt\u201d relationship with three <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-jersey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New Jersey<\/a> businessmen. The DOJ alleged Menendez and his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cuellar-indictment-could-hand-edge-to-texas-republican-challengers-in-may-runoff\/\" title=\"Cuellar's indictment may boost Texas GOP challengers in May runoff\">wife accepted gold bars worth hundreds<\/a> of thousands of dollars from a felon in a trade for help.<\/p>\n<p>Former New York Republican Rep. George Santos was charged with 13 felony counts in May 2023 over accusations that he misled donors and misrepresented finances and was hit with 10 additional counts in October. He has since <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1581777\/george-santos-pleads-not-guilty-to-13-count-indictment-for-financial-crimes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"pleaded not guilty\">pleaded not guilty<\/a>, and a federal criminal trial is on hold to allow him to engage in \u201ccontinuing plea negotiations.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In January, he <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/Politics\/george-santos-asks-judge-time-pursue-plea-deal\/story?id=106597605\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>asked<\/a> a federal judge for more time to pursue a plea deal, and in April, he withdrew his independent bid for New York\u2019s 1st Congressional District. One New York Republican <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2976714\/george-santos-withdraws-independent-bid-for-new-york-house-seat-goodbye-for-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"told\">told<\/a> the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, \u201cThat\u2019s short for: I\u2019m taking a plea deal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Furman and Garza for comment.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rep. Henry Cuellar&#8217;s indictment intensifies the pressure on the vulnerable Democrat as he vies for re-election this fall, possibly favoring his Republican rival in November. The Justice Department unveiled a 28-count indictment against Cuellar and his spouse, alleging they accepted around $600,000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2237036,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24101557468099.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2237035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24101557468099.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2237035","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2237035"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2237035\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2237036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2237035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2237035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2237035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}