<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), a super PAC associated with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), has reduced its spending in Texas's 28th Congressional District, which is located in Laredo. This decision comes as a significant shift in strategy for Republicans, as the district was previously viewed as a key opportunity to unseat 11-term incumbent Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX).</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">According to AdImpact, CLF has withdrawn $3 million from the district this week, despite the redrawn district lines slightly favoring Republicans. Nonpartisan election analysts currently predict that the seat favors Democrats, moving away from its previous status as a toss-up.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To date, CLF has invested over $4.5 million in this race. The recent withdrawal includes $3 million in ad reservations for the next three weeks, with funds redirected to support Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) in her reelection campaign in McAllen, and to assist in the race for Texas's 34th Congressional District, held by Rep. Vicente Gonzalez Jr. (D-TX).</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The decision to withdraw funding represents a notable change in the political landscape for Republicans, as this seat has been highlighted as a prime target since the election cycle began. A previous GOP candidate came within 5 points of defeating Cuellar in the 2024 election.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In 2025, the district was one of five that were redrawn by Republicans, which was expected to favor their candidates. Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, who switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 2024, announced his candidacy in December 2025 under the new district lines.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, former President Donald Trump complicated Tijerina's campaign by pardoning Cuellar, who was facing corruption charges, shortly after Tijerina declared his candidacy. Trump justified the pardon by claiming that the Biden administration was misusing the justice system against political opponents, stating that Cuellar was simply expressing the truth regarding immigration policies.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Following a rally in McAllen with Tijerina and other Republican candidates, CLF's withdrawal of funds occurred shortly after Johnson's visit, marking the second instance of funding reallocation following his appearances, as similar actions were taken in Iowa's 1st Congressional District.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Republicans are now focusing on defending De La Cruz's seat and supporting Eric Flores against Gonzalez in what they consider a more competitive race.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Democrats have responded to the funding shift, with Madison Andrus, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, commenting on Tijerina's brief professional baseball career, suggesting that Republican leadership has quickly abandoned him.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump won the district by over 10 percentage points in the 2024 election. Cuellar has gained recognition for his willingness to diverge from party lines on immigration and border issues, maintaining popularity in his district after narrowly defeating a progressive challenger in the 2022 primary.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Washington Examiner has reached out to CLF for further comment.</p>