Indicted House Democrat Draws Fire Over DCCC 'Frontline' Status: 'Sleazy Politician'

Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas who’s facing bribery charges and accusations of acting as a foreign agent, has landed a controversial spot on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) "frontline list" for the 2026 election. This move has sparked criticism from Republicans, who are eager to exploit the optics of the situation.

Cuellar, who represents a district along the southern border, had not been part of the DCCC program for at-risk Democratic incumbents in 2024. Nevertheless, he managed to secure re-election last November, proving his resilience despite the swirling allegations.

NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella didn’t mince words about Cuellar’s inclusion on the list: "The DCCC throwing cash at Henry Cuellar, an indicted congressman facing bribery and foreign agent charges, is certainly a choice. Do other frontline Democrats stand by pumping campaign cash into defending a corrupt and sleazy politician?"

The Department of Justice, under the Biden administration, indicted Cuellar and his wife for allegedly accepting $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijan-owned energy company and a Mexican bank. Cuellar has staunchly denied the allegations, stating, "I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations. Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas." He emphasized that he sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee and a national law firm before taking any actions.

Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the indictment, claiming it was politically motivated. On Truth Social, he asserted, "Biden just indicted Henry Cuellar because the Respected Democrat Congressman wouldn’t play Crooked Joe’s Open Border game. He was for Border Control, so they said, ‘Let’s use the FBI and DOJ to take him out!’"

Cuellar himself has occasionally clashed with the Biden administration on border policy, recently expressing concerns about its handling of the border crisis. His moderate stance on some issues has also drawn ire from within his own party. In 2024, some Democrats opposed his campaign in the primary, citing his belief that abortion should be left to the states.

The controversy surrounding Cuellar’s trial, which has been postponed to this year, hasn’t deterred the DCCC. The committee recently tweeted, "These 26 House Democrats are battle-tested and laser-focused on pocketbook issues. Democrats are poised to retake the majority in 2026, and these members will help us do that." However, the DCCC declined to comment directly on Cuellar’s inclusion in the program.

The stakes are high for both parties as Republicans aim to defend and expand their narrow House majority in the 2026 midterms. With the DCCC pouring resources into its "frontline" program, Cuellar’s seat will undoubtedly be one of the most watched—and hotly contested—battlegrounds in the coming election cycle.