Conservative Democrat Challenges Rising Star Crockett in Texas District 30 Race
Military intelligence officer Oscar Villar launches uphill primary campaign against popular incumbent with “Americans First” message.
Oscar Villar, a U.S. Army military intelligence officer and Dallas Baptist University graduate, has launched his congressional campaign challenging incumbent Representative Jasmine Crockett in Texas’s heavily Democratic 30th Congressional District, positioning himself as a “Conservative Democrat” with an “Americans First, Americans Only” platform.
The Houston native filed with the Federal Election Commission as a Democratic candidate for the March 3, 2026, primary, setting up what appears to be a challenging race against Crockett, who won her 2024 reelection with 84.9 percent of the vote in one of Texas’s most Democratic districts.
Military Background Meets Political Ambition
Villar brings a unique military resume to the race, having served as a commissioned Military Intelligence Officer after graduating with honors from Dallas Baptist University, where he participated in the Army ROTC program. According to his campaign website, he “has stayed committed to the values of service, discipline, and country that fuel his fight for the people of Dallas”.
The candidate and his wife, Faith, have made District 30 their home, with Villar stating he “feels a strong calling to run for Congress to bring common sense, accountability, and true representation back to our government”. His campaign messaging centers on the belief that “our government has stopped putting American citizens first” and promises to serve citizens rather than “foreign interests, big donors, or activist elites”.
Formidable Incumbent Challenge
Crockett, who assumed office in January 2023, has quickly established herself as a prominent progressive voice in Congress. The civil rights attorney and former Texas state legislator won her initial 2022 primary in a runoff with 60.6 percent of the vote before cruising to a 74.7 percent general election victory.
In her 2024 reelection, Crockett dominated both the primary and general elections, winning the Democratic primary with 91.5 percent of the vote against challenger Jarred Davis, and the general election with nearly 85 percent of the vote. According to Ballotpedia, Crockett has raised $3.8 million through June 2025, significantly outpacing other candidates in financial resources.
“I am a believer and defender of democracy, especially when it comes to voting rights. We are struggling economically more-so than ever, which is why I will work to bring good paying jobs to the district,” Crockett stated in her candidate survey, emphasizing healthcare access and criminal justice reform as key priorities.
District Demographics Present Steep Challenge
Texas’s 30th Congressional District presents significant electoral challenges for any challenger to Crockett. The Cook Political Report rates the district as “Solid D” with a partisan voting index of D+25, making it one of the most Democratic seats in the state of Texas. Recent redistricting efforts have maintained the district’s strong Democratic lean, with some analyses suggesting the partisan index may be as high as D+50.
The district’s demographics reflect its political composition: 40 percent Black or African American, 17.8 percent White non-Hispanic, and significant Hispanic populations totaling over 34 percent. With a median household income of $69,722 and a population of approximately 772,000, the district encompasses a substantial portion of Dallas, including Love Field Airport, the University of North Texas at Dallas, and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
“Congressional District 30 covers much of the city of Dallas and other parts of Dallas and Tarrant counties, primarily black- and Hispanic-majority areas,” according to the district’s demographic profile, with 33.3 percent of households reporting a non-English language as their primary language.
Crowded Primary Field Emerges
Villar joins a competitive Democratic primary field that includes incumbent Crockett and at least two other declared candidates: Rodney LaBruce and Saul Rodriguez. The March 3, 2026, primary filing deadline was December 8, 2025, with multiple Republicans also entering the race, including Sholdon Daniels and Gregor Heinrich Heise.
The general election on November 3, 2026, comes during what are expected to be competitive midterm elections nationwide. Texas will hold primary runoffs if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in any primary race.
Conservative Democrat Strategy
Villar’s self-identification as a “Conservative Democrat” represents an unusual positioning in a district where progressive politics typically prevail. His campaign’s emphasis on putting “American citizens first” and criticism of “foreign interests” and “activist elites” suggests an attempt to appeal to more moderate and conservative voters within the Democratic primary.
The strategy faces significant headwinds in a district that has consistently elected progressive Democrats and where Crockett has built strong constituent services and community connections. Crockett’s background as a civil rights attorney and her focus on voting rights, criminal justice reform, and healthcare expansion align closely with district voter priorities.