Former Texas Democratic Party Official and Others Indicted in Alleged Vote-Harvesting Scheme
Juan Manuel Medina, a former Bexar County Democratic Party Chair and one-time candidate for mayor of San Antonio, is at the center of a growing legal controversy after being indicted along with eight others for alleged involvement in an illegal vote-harvesting operation. The indictments stem from a broader investigation being carried out by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, who has made election integrity a central focus of his office.
According to court documents and reports, Medina is facing two felony counts of vote harvesting, charges that relate to conduct during the 2024 election cycle. The alleged activity took place in connection with the campaign of Democratic candidate Cecilia Castellano, who ran unsuccessfully for the Texas House of Representatives in District 80, a seat that was ultimately won by Republican Don McLaughlin.
Authorities claim that Medina played a key role in orchestrating efforts to improperly influence the outcome of the election by engaging in vote harvesting—a practice in which individuals collect and submit ballots on behalf of voters, which is strictly regulated under Texas law. Prosecutors allege that in February 2024, Medina offered payment or other forms of compensation to two individuals, identified as Rachel Leal and former Dilley City Council member Inelda Rodriguez, in exchange for their assistance in collecting ballots and securing votes for Castellano.
The indictment alleges that Medina approached Leal and Rodriguez and enlisted their help to carry out vote-harvesting activities in support of Castellano’s candidacy. According to investigators, these services were not volunteer-based but were incentivized through compensation, which is prohibited under Texas election code. Both Leal and Rodriguez were also indicted, along with Castellano herself, as part of the multi-person investigation.
Cecilia Castellano, who was relatively new to the state political scene at the time of her campaign, has denied any wrongdoing. Her legal team and supporters have come forward to defend her against the charges, stating that she had no knowledge of any illegal actions taken on her behalf and asserting her innocence in the matter.
“Cecilia is innocent. She didn’t do anything illegal,” said one spokesperson close to the Castellano campaign. “These allegations are politically motivated and unfounded. We are confident that once all the facts come to light, it will be clear she did not participate in any unlawful activity.”
The indictments are part of Attorney General Paxton’s wider initiative to crack down on election-related crimes in Texas. Paxton, who has long positioned himself as a champion of election security, has said that his office is committed to ensuring that every election in the state is fair, free from fraud, and conducted according to the law. His critics, however, have accused him of using such investigations to target political opponents and suppress voter turnout, particularly in communities that tend to vote Democrat.
The legal proceedings are expected to move forward in the coming months, and if convicted, those involved could face significant penalties under Texas law. The case has already drawn attention across the state, raising questions about election practices, the role of political operatives, and the extent to which candidates are held accountable for the actions of their campaign supporters.
As the case unfolds, both the public and the political community will be watching closely to see how the evidence is presented and whether the charges hold up in court. For now, the individuals involved maintain their innocence and prepare to fight the allegations as the legal process continues.
