Sanford Nowlin (left) and Twitter / Jessica Cisneros (right)
The margin between U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (left) and Jessica Cisneros, his challenger in the May 24 Democratic Primary runoff, stands at 281 votes.
Cisneros, a 29-year-old immigration attorney challenging the nine-term centrist incumbent, made her announcement Monday after the Texas Democratic Party certified the results. A recount will delay the declaration of an official winner for roughly two weeks, the Texas Tribune reports.
The contest gained national attention as a key fight as progressives and establishment Democrats wage a wider struggle for the direction of the party. It gained further significance after the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade since Cuellar is one of the Congress' few remaining anti-abortion Democrats.
"Our movement never was just about one politician — it was about taking on an unjust system that rewards corruption and corporate profits at the expense of the needs of working people," Cisneros said in a written statement. "Our community isn't done fighting, we are filing for a recount."
The race's 0.6% margin is well below the 10% threshold needed under state law to request a recount. Cisneros, who also ran a tight 2020 race against Cuellar, said the narrow margin obligates her to continue the fight.
The contested blue-leaning district stretches from Laredo to an eastern swath of San Antonio.
Cuellar already declared victory on election night, when he held a 177-vote advantage. On Monday, he declared victory a second time after final canvasing slightly increased his lead.
"She has no path to victory and will not gain 281 votes," Cuellar said in a statement.
Stay on top of San Antonio news and views. Sign up for our Weekly Headlines Newsletter.
