Biography
Monica De La Cruz, born on November 11, 1974, in Brownsville, Texas, is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 15th congressional district since January 3, 2023. She is the first Republican and the first Hispanic Republican woman to represent this district.
Raised by her single mother, Norma, De La Cruz grew up in Brownsville, where she attended James Pace High School. She pursued higher education at the University of Texas at San Antonio, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing in 1997. Furthering her studies, she attended the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City to study Spanish.
Before entering politics, De La Cruz had a diverse professional career. She interned at Turner Entertainment and worked for Cartoon Network Latin America. She later became a successful small business owner, operating an insurance agency in the Rio Grande Valley for over two decades.
In 2020, De La Cruz ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House of Representatives. Undeterred, she ran again in 2022 and won, becoming the first Republican to represent Texas's 15th district. She was re-elected in 2024, defeating Democratic challenger Michelle Vallejo by a 14-point margin.
As a member of Congress, De La Cruz has been an advocate for border security, economic growth, and healthcare access for South Texans. She has served on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Financial Services. In March 2024, she delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address in Spanish, marking a significant moment as the first Rio Grande Valley lawmaker to do so.
De La Cruz is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership and the Congressional Western Caucus. She has been recognized for her efforts in passing legislation targeting fentanyl trafficking and supporting local agriculture.
She resides in Edinburg, Texas, with her two children.
Education and Political Experience
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Education:
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, University of Texas at San Antonio, 1997
- Spanish Language Studies, National Autonomous University of Mexico
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Political Experience:
- Unsuccessful candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Texas's 15th district, 2020
- Elected U.S. Representative for Texas's 15th district, 2022
- Re-elected U.S. Representative for Texas's 15th district, 2024
- Member, House Committee on Agriculture
- Member, House Committee on Financial Services
- Member, Republican Main Street Partnership
- Member, Congressional Western Caucus
De La Cruz's tenure in Congress has been marked by her commitment to addressing the challenges facing South Texas, including border security, economic development, and healthcare access. Her leadership and dedication have earned her recognition as an effective advocate for her constituents.
