Texas Democratic congressional candidate’s home searched over vote harvesting allegations

The Texas Attorney General’s Office is investigating allegations of vote harvesting by Cecilia Castellano, a Democratic candidate for the Texas House of Representatives, and her legislative aide, Manuel Medina. The investigation, which began in 2022 following a complaint from a candidate who lost in a Democratic primary runoff in Frio County, focuses on the longtime political activist who is accused of illegally collecting mail-in ballots for local elections, including Castellano’s 2024 campaign.

This week, agents executed search warrants at Castellano and Medina’s homes, seizing cellphones and documents. “I feel violated,” Castellano told The Texas Tribune in an interview. “This political tactic is because Republicans are fighting for this seat. They want complete power of the House. We’re not going to give up. We’re going to keep working hard.”

Medina told the Houston Chronicle that the investigation is a politically motivated blow to Castellano. Castellano’s Republican opponent, Don McLaughlin, has the backing of state Republican leaders, including Attorney General Ken Paxton. Medina believes Republicans are trying to flip the key state House seat and pass school voucher legislation in the next legislative session, something Gov. Greg Abbott has previously tried but failed to pass.

“It’s clear that (the attorney general’s office) is engaged in a coordinated effort to influence voter registrars, senior advocates and canvassers in a contested state election,” Medina told the Houston Chronicle.

The United Latino American Legion (LULAC) has condemned the attack as an intimidation tactic aimed at suppressing the Latino vote. LULAC accuses Paxton of carrying out these actions to favor political allies ahead of the 2024 elections, and plans to call for a federal investigation by the US Department of Justice.

The investigation focuses on a woman who allegedly charged candidates for collecting, completing and mailing ballots on voters’ behalf, according to court documents obtained by The Texas Tribune. The woman, who has not been named or charged, allegedly received the payments through her daughter’s Cash App and often marked the transactions as “election” related. The woman supported Castellano’s campaign by encouraging elderly and disabled voters to vote for him, according to the affidavit.

In the affidavit, investigators from the Texas Attorney General’s Office also alleged that Medina was recorded discussing plans to gather votes for Castellano with Frio County managers. Meanwhile, a Bexar County district judge granted Medina a temporary protective order, halting further examination of materials seized from his home until a court hearing in September.

In a statement to The Texas Tribune, Paxton said the investigation is aimed at ensuring election security: “We are committed to protecting the security of the ballot box and the integrity of every lawful vote, which means ensuring that those who commit election crimes are held accountable.”