{
 "id": "ep2yqvtzc8",
 "slug": "edgardo-rafael-baez",
 "title": "Edgardo Rafael Baez",
 "updated": "2026-10-25",
 "topic_path": [
  {
   "id": "society",
   "label": "Society and history",
   "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society"
  },
  {
   "id": "society.politics",
   "label": "Politics and government",
   "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics"
  },
  {
   "id": "society.politics.institutions",
   "label": "Government and public administration",
   "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions"
  },
  {
   "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders",
   "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)",
   "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders"
  },
  {
   "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates",
   "label": "US candidates for federal and statewide office",
   "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates"
  },
  {
   "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.house-candidates",
   "label": "Candidates for the US House",
   "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.house-candidates"
  },
  {
   "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.house-candidates.alpha-a-to-b",
   "label": "Surnames A to B",
   "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.house-candidates.alpha-a-to-b"
  }
 ],
 "geo": [
  {
   "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.house-candidates",
   "label": "United States · 2021 and later: Candidates for the US House",
   "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.house-candidates",
   "path": [
    {
     "id": "geo.us",
     "label": "United States",
     "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us"
    },
    {
     "id": "geo.us.t2021",
     "label": "United States · 2021 and later",
     "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021"
    },
    {
     "id": "geo.us.t2021.society",
     "label": "Society and history",
     "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society"
    },
    {
     "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics",
     "label": "Politics and government",
     "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics"
    },
    {
     "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions",
     "label": "Government and public administration",
     "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions"
    },
    {
     "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders",
     "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)",
     "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders"
    },
    {
     "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates",
     "label": "US candidates for federal and statewide office",
     "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates"
    },
    {
     "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.house-candidates",
     "label": "Candidates for the US House",
     "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.house-candidates"
    }
   ]
  }
 ],
 "excerpt": "Edgardo Rafael Baez is an American politician and the 2026 Republican nominee for the U.S. House in Texas's 20th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Democrat Joaquin Castro.",
 "snippet": "Edgardo Rafael Baez is an American politician and the 2026 Republican nominee for the U.S. House in Texas's 20th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Democrat Joaquin Castro.",
 "node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.house-candidates.alpha-a-to-b",
 "markdown": "# Edgardo Rafael Baez\n\nEdgardo Rafael Baez is an American politician and the 2026 Republican nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas's 20th Congressional District.<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup> He has described himself as a U.S. Army veteran, retired medical professional, lawyer, and published author.<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup> The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. [Joaquin Castro](https://www.edgepedia.org/joaquin-castro), a Democrat from [San Antonio](https://www.edgepedia.org/san-antonio).<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup>\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n| --- | --- |\n| Party | Republican<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup> |\n| Current status | 2026 Republican nominee, U.S. House, TX-20<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup> |\n| Born | Age 55 (as stated in 2026)<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup> |\n| Education | Associate of Arts; Bachelor in Business; Master's in Theology; Doctorate in Law; Ph.D.<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup> |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nBaez is a Republican. He filed as a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Texas's 20th Congressional District in 2026.<sup>[2](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6TX20113/)</sup>\n\n## Early life and education\n\nBaez has described himself as a former [combat medic](https://www.edgepedia.org/combat-medic), airborne paratrooper, and drill sergeant in the Army, and as an intensive care unit nurse.<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup> He has said he holds an Associate of Arts, a Bachelor in Business, a Master's in Theology, a [Doctorate](https://www.edgepedia.org/doctorate) in Law, and a Ph.D.<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup>\n\n## Career\n\nBaez has worked as an attorney in San Antonio for the last 20 years.<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup> His campaign describes him as bringing a combination of military service, healthcare expertise, and more than two decades of legal experience.<sup>[3](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/legislation)</sup>\n\n## Electoral history\n\nBaez won the Republican primary for Texas's 20th Congressional District on March 3, 2026.<sup>[4](https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2026pdates.pdf)</sup> A runoff would have been held on May 26, 2026, if needed.<sup>[4](https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2026pdates.pdf)</sup> He is the Republican nominee for the November 2026 general election.<sup>[1](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)</sup>\n\n## Issues specific to Baez\n\nBaez's campaign has been endorsed by the San Antonio Police Officers Association, according to his campaign website.<sup>[5](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/)</sup> His campaign describes its platform as built on \"the three pillars of prosperity, preservation, and protection.\"<sup>[5](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/)</sup> The campaign states that each member undergoes criminal background checks and that no promises or guarantees should be inferred from its communications.<sup>[6](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/issues)</sup>\n\n## Positions and voting record\n\n### Public safety and law enforcement\n\nBaez supports legislation that strengthens law enforcement, combats drug trafficking, and protects communities from violent crime.<sup>[3](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/legislation)</sup> His campaign describes a \"comprehensive public safety initiative focused on creating safer communities through stronger law enforcement partnerships, education improvements, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization.\"<sup>[3](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/legislation)</sup>\n\n### Education\n\nBaez supports accountability in schools while empowering parents and local communities to have a greater voice in education.<sup>[3](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/legislation)</sup> His campaign states, \"Students deserve quality education, and teachers deserve the resources to succeed.\"<sup>[3](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/legislation)</sup>\n\n### Military and veterans\n\nBaez has said he will advocate for legislation that expands benefits, healthcare access, employment opportunities, and recognition for active-duty military personnel and veterans.<sup>[3](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/legislation)</sup>\n\n### Health care\n\nDrawing from his experience as a critical care nurse, Baez supports patient-centered reforms that increase access to quality care while protecting the relationship between patients and their physicians.<sup>[3](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/legislation)</sup>\n\n### Economy and housing\n\nBaez supports legislation that encourages entrepreneurship, attracts investment, lowers unnecessary regulations, and creates sustainable jobs.<sup>[3](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/legislation)</sup> He also supports responsible development and community-focused policies that improve neighborhoods while encouraging sustainable growth.<sup>[3](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/legislation)</sup>\n\n## References\n\n1. [Edgardo Baez | 2026 candidate for Texas' 20th Congressional District - San Antonio Report](https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/edgardo-baez-2026-candidate-for-texas-20th-congressional-district/)\n2. [FEC candidate profile](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6TX20113/)\n3. [Dr. Báez for Congress | Legislation](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/legislation)\n4. [2026 Primary Dates (FEC)](https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2026pdates.pdf)\n5. [Dr. Báez for Congress](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/)\n6. [Dr. Báez for Congress | Issues](https://www.drbaezforcongress.com/issues)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US candidates for federal and statewide office › Candidates for the US House › Surnames A to B*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Sep 28, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n",
 "same_as": [],
 "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgardo-rafael-baez",
 "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgardo-rafael-baez.md",
 "license": {
  "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0",
  "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license",
  "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.",
  "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0"
 },
 "credit": "\"Edgardo Rafael Baez\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/edgardo-rafael-baez. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.",
 "credit_md": "\"[Edgardo Rafael Baez](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgardo-rafael-baez)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/edgardo-rafael-baez](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgardo-rafael-baez). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).",
 "credit_html": "\"<a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/edgardo-rafael-baez\">Edgardo Rafael Baez</a>\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), <a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/edgardo-rafael-baez\">https://www.edgepedia.org/edgardo-rafael-baez</a>. <a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\">Edgepedia Community License 1.0</a>.",
 "speakable": "Edgardo Rafael Baez is an American politician and the 2026 Republican nominee for the U.S. House in Texas's 20th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Democrat Joaquin Castro."
}