Rebecca Viagran, former District 3 councilwoman, is expected to announce a run for Texas Congressional District 35.
Viagran recently finished serving the maximum four terms on San Antonio City Council, leaving behind a legacy of growth on the South Side, as well as helping to get the San Antonio missions declared World Heritage sites. Her sister Phyllis Viagran succeeded her on the City Council dais after winning a runoff in June.
The 35th Congressional District is currently an open seat, after the Texas Legislature’s redistricting efforts and current U.S. Rep Lloyd Doggett’s decision to run for the newly created 37th Congressional District in October.
CD-35, as it currently exists, spans Austin and San Antonio, connected by Interstate 35. That will stay the same in the redistricted map, but the previously majority-Hispanic district will now have no racial majority; before, Hispanic voters made up 53% of the district. Now, they make up 48% of the district.
Viagran has not reported any donations, expenditures, or cash on hand for her congressional campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission. So far, there are only four Democratic candidates listed on the FEC website: Viagran, James Sasinowski, Eduardo Rodriguez and Austin City Councilman Greg Casar, who announced plans to vacate his seat in November to run for Congress.
In her final campaign finance report filed with the city, which covered the time period between July 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020, Viagran reported $18,492 cash on hand.
After she left City Council, Viagran accepted a job with Texas A&M University-San Antonio as its inaugural director of Workforce Development and Community Partnerships. She also continued her civic involvement as the vice chair of the Alamo Management Committee and tri-chair of the Alamo Citizens Advisory Committee.
Earlier this year, Viagran hinted at running for public office again though she emphasized her passion for local government.
Viagran did not return a request for comment Wednesday.
