A recent advertisement by Representative Monica De La Cruz highlighted an endorsement from Deputy Zachary Garcia, a law enforcement officer who was reportedly fired last year for alleged sexual harassment and stalking of a co-worker. The ad, which aired in June, features Garcia criticizing De La Cruz's opponent, Bobby Pulido, labeling him as 'anti-cop' and accusing him of siding with criminals. De La Cruz's campaign stated that they were unaware of Garcia's past when producing the ad, noting that public reports of his behavior did not surface until August.
Garcia was dismissed from the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office following allegations that he harassed a female dispatcher after their relationship ended. Reports indicate that he tracked her cellphone location, drove by her home while on duty, and made numerous calls to her, leading her to turn off her phone. An internal investigation also revealed accusations from a female supervisor who alleged inappropriate behavior from Garcia, which he denied. The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office concluded that Garcia had committed sexual harassment against both the dispatcher and the supervisor.
Sheriff Roy Boyd of Goliad County defended Garcia, stating that he has been a valued member of the department since 2018. Boyd criticized what he described as partisan attacks against Garcia, asserting that he supports Garcia’s right to express his opinions.
De La Cruz is currently in a competitive reelection campaign against Pulido, which is considered a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. Her campaign has sought to draw attention to Pulido’s past social media comments regarding law enforcement. In response, Pulido's team has countered with claims about De La Cruz's ex-husband, who faced legal issues, and has disputed the characterizations made by De La Cruz's campaign regarding his associations.
Both campaigns continue to engage in a heated exchange of accusations as the election approaches.