Progressive Jessica Cisneros seeks recount in race against South Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar

Progressive candidate Jessica Cisneros will request a recount in her Democratic primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a widely watched race he  leads by a margin of just 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.

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This article appears in Jun 1-14, 2022.