Quick Info
| Profession | Politician and attorney |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 19/09/1955 |
| Age | 71 years |
| Birthplace | Laredo, Texas, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
Latest News about Henry Cuellar
03/11/2026
His Laredo congressional district office was evacuated after a suspicious package was delivered, and one staff member was sent for a precautionary health screening. His campaign said law enforcement responded swiftly and that all staff were accounted for.
14/10/2026
House Republicans withdrew $3 million in reserved advertising that had been aimed at unseating him, even though the party had redrawn his district to make it harder for him to win. Republicans had previously acknowledged he was a formidable opponent.
07/01/2026
President Trump publicly endorsed Republican Tano Tijerina to run against Cuellar in the 28th District, saying Cuellar should not be allowed to serve in Congress again. The endorsement came after Trump had pardoned Cuellar in the corruption case.
Do you like Henry Cuellar?
You can vote only once.
92% like · 8% dislike
Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Enrique Roberto Cuellar |
|---|---|
| Summary | Democratic U.S. Representative for Texas's 28th congressional district since 2005. He was born the eldest of eight children to migrant farmworkers in Laredo, Texas. He previously served in the Texas House of Representatives and as Texas Secretary of State. |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Congressional District | Texas 28th |
| Current Term | Serving since January 3, 2005; term ends January 3, 2027 |
| Election Status | Ran for re-election in the 2026 midterm election held on 03/11/2026 against Republican Tano Tijerina and Independent Marlón Durán; results were still being reported at the time of this update |
Educational Qualification(s)
| High School | J.W. Nixon High School, Laredo, Texas (1974) |
|---|---|
| Associate Degree | Laredo Community College (1976) |
| Bachelor's Degree | B.S., Georgetown University (1978) |
| Juris Doctor | J.D., University of Texas at Austin (1981) |
| Master's Degree | M.A. in International Trade, Texas A&M International University (1982) |
| Doctorate | Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin (1998) |
Personal Life
| Residence | Laredo, Texas |
|---|---|
| Faith and Values | Raised with strong family values and deep faith, according to his official biography |
Relationships & More
| Spouse | Imelda Cuellar |
|---|
Family
| Spouse | Imelda Cuellar |
|---|---|
| Children | Two daughters, Christina and Catherine |
| Siblings |
|
Career
| Early Career | Practiced law in Laredo from 1981; became a licensed customs broker in 1983; taught international commercial law as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M International University from 1984 to 1986 |
|---|---|
| Texas House of Representatives | Served 1987 to 2001, including leadership roles on the House Appropriations Committee |
| Texas Secretary of State | Appointed in 2001 by Governor Rick Perry |
| U.S. House of Representatives | Elected as a Democrat in 2005 and re-elected in subsequent terms; only Texas Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee; Chief Deputy Whip in the 118th Congress; Blue Dog Coalition member; founder and chairman of the bipartisan Pro-Trade Caucus; serves as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee; received the 2026 Distinguished Community Health Center Advocate Award from the National Association of Community Health Centers |
| Legal Matters | Indicted in May 2024 on money laundering, bribery and conspiracy charges by a federal grand jury; later pardoned by President Donald Trump in late 2025, which ended the prospect of a trial in the case; he and his wife had denied any wrongdoing |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. He was the first in his family to attend college. | |
| 2. He was the first Laredoan elected to represent the 28th District in over 20 years when he won in 2005. | |
| 3. He won the 2006 Democratic primary against Ciro Rodriguez, following a 2002 primary in which he defeated Rodriguez by 58 votes after a recount. | |
| 4. He is a licensed customs broker and former small business owner. | |
| 5. Georgetown University's Bipartisan Index once ranked him the most bipartisan Democrat in the House. | |
| 6. He switched his affiliation to Republican in 2024 according to reports, but later filed for re-election in 2025 as a Democrat. |
