HARLINGEN, Texas (Oct. 18, 2025) — Esmeralda Cantu-Castle, the mother of a murdered Navy sailor, has officially announced her campaign for the Texas House of Representatives, seeking to represent House District 37 as a Democrat.
Cantu-Castle, a Harlingen resident, said she is running to bring “justice, accountability and compassion” to the state Capitol. Her campaign launch this week marks her first bid for public office.
Her daughter, Angelina Resendiz, a sailor in the U.S. Navy and a graduate of Mexia High School, was killed while serving on active duty. The tragedy thrust Cantu-Castle into public advocacy for reforms in how the military handles cases of violence and misconduct. She has since become a visible voice for victims’ families, calling for greater transparency and support for service members.
“My whole goal is to help people who can’t help themselves and work with them to come together to find solutions,” Cantu-Castle said in an interview.
Cantu-Castle, who works as a paralegal and is pursuing a law degree, said her campaign will focus on strengthening protections for military service members and veterans, expanding access to local health and mental health services, and investing in education and infrastructure in South Texas. She also supports the creation of a veterans hospital in the Rio Grande Valley, a long-standing priority among local leaders.
House District 37 includes much of Cameron County and all of Willacy County. The seat is currently held by Republican Janie Lopez of San Benito, who flipped the district in 2022. Lopez’s win was part of a broader Republican effort to expand the party’s reach in South Texas, an area that had historically leaned Democratic.
Cantu-Castle’s entry adds a personal and emotional dynamic to what is expected to be one of the region’s most closely watched races. Political analysts say her candidacy could test whether Democratic messages centered on service and community still resonate in a district that has become increasingly competitive.
Community members have expressed support for her decision to run, describing her as someone who “turns pain into purpose.” Her story has drawn attention from both state and national media, highlighting the intersection of personal tragedy and public service.
For voters in the Rio Grande Valley, her campaign underscores the growing influence of women, veterans advocates and first-time candidates in reshaping the region’s political landscape.
If elected, Cantu-Castle said she hopes to use her platform to honor her daughter’s legacy and to fight for families across Texas who feel unheard or left behind.
“I can’t give up,” she said. “This is about more than me. It’s about making sure no one else has to live what my family lived through.”
Sources:
“Mother of Navy sailor killed is running for a seat in Texas state House of Representatives,” KXXV, Taylor Helmes.
“‘I can’t give up’: Mother of slain Navy sailor runs for office in daughter’s honor,” KXXV, Madison Myers.
“Texas mother turns tragedy into purpose: Esmeralda ‘Esmi’ Cantu-Castle,” AOL News.
“Mother of slain South Texas Navy sailor runs for Texas state House seat,” MySanAntonio.
Texas House District 37 information, Wikipedia.
