Deliris Montanez
Deliris Montanez (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 16th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled on March 3, 2026.[source]
Biography
Deliris Montanez was born in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Montanez served in the U.S. Army from 1990 to 2019 as a Field Grade Officer Joint Multinational Logistician. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey in 1992 and a graduate degree in management from Webster University in 2003. Montanez's career experience includes working as a detention and deputy sheriff, as a police officer, and as a federal border patrol agent for Customs and Border Protection under the Department of Homeland Security. She also served as a Casualty Assistant Officer and Honor Guard Member.[1][2]
Montanez has been an active member of the following local nonprofit organizations:[3]
- National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Dance for Dreams (Founder & President)
- El Paso Downtown Lions Club
- Zaragoza Rotary Club
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- American Legion
- 82nd Airborne Benavidez Chapter
- El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Montanez has been an active participant and advocate for:[3]
- Veterans At Breakfast (VAB)
- Save our Service Members (SOS)
- End Workplace Abuse
- Never Alone Advocacy
- Protect our Service Members
- Military Justice
- The LIBRE Initiative (Selected Initiatives)
- The El Paso Neighborhood Coalition (EPNC)
- Community First Coalition El Paso (Selected Initiatives)
- BLUE Help
- COPLINE
Montanez has been a peer support certified member and advocate for:[3]
- Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN)
- First Responders Support Network (FRSN)
- LEMIT – Post Critical Incident Seminar for First Responders
- Onward Ops, ETS Sponsor
- National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Peer Support
Elections
2026
See also: Texas' 16th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 16
Incumbent Veronica Escobar is running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 16 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Veronica Escobar | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 16
Deliris Montanez is running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 16 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Deliris Montanez | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2024
See also: Texas' 16th Congressional District election, 2024
Texas' 16th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Republican primary)
Texas' 16th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Texas District 16
Incumbent Veronica Escobar defeated Irene Armendariz-Jackson and Deliris Montanez in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 16 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Veronica Escobar (D) | 59.5 | 131,391 |
 | Irene Armendariz-Jackson (R) | 40.4 | 89,281 | |
| Deliris Montanez (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.1 | 156 | |
| Total votes: 220,828 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 16
Incumbent Veronica Escobar defeated Leeland White in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 16 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Veronica Escobar | 86.3 | 28,129 |
| Leeland White | 13.7 | 4,470 | ||
| Total votes: 32,599 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 16
Irene Armendariz-Jackson advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 16 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Irene Armendariz-Jackson | 100.0 | 15,553 |
| Total votes: 15,553 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Deliris Montanez (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Montanez in this election.
Pledges
Montanez signed the following pledges.
2022
City council election
See also: City elections in El Paso, Texas (2022)
General runoff election
General runoff election for El Paso City Council District 1
Brian Kennedy defeated Analisa Cordova Silverstein in the general runoff election for El Paso City Council District 1 on December 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Brian Kennedy (Nonpartisan) | 69.5 | 2,972 |
| Analisa Cordova Silverstein (Nonpartisan) | 30.5 | 1,303 | ||
| Total votes: 4,275 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
General election
General election for El Paso City Council District 1
The following candidates ran in the general election for El Paso City Council District 1 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brian Kennedy (Nonpartisan) | 41.3 | 8,760 |
| ✔ | Analisa Cordova Silverstein (Nonpartisan) | 25.4 | 5,389 | |
| Lauren Ferris (Nonpartisan) | 12.3 | 2,614 | ||
| Dave Jones (Nonpartisan) | 6.4 | 1,356 | ||
| Freddy Klayel Avalos (Nonpartisan) | 5.7 | 1,211 | ||
| Deliris Montanez (Nonpartisan) | 4.7 | 994 | |
| Erin Tague (Nonpartisan) | 4.3 | 903 | ||
| Total votes: 21,227 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Congressional election
See also: Texas' 16th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Texas District 16
Incumbent Veronica Escobar defeated Irene Armendariz-Jackson in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 16 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Veronica Escobar (D) | 63.5 | 95,510 |
| Irene Armendariz-Jackson (R) | 36.5 | 54,986 | |
| Total votes: 150,496 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Samuel Williams Jr. (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 16
Incumbent Veronica Escobar defeated Deliris Montanez in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 16 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Veronica Escobar | 88.0 | 30,954 |
| Deliris Montanez | 12.0 | 4,235 | |
| Total votes: 35,189 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 16
Irene Armendariz-Jackson advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 16 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Irene Armendariz-Jackson | 100.0 | 12,623 |
| Total votes: 12,623 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Deliris Montanez has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Deliris Montanez asking her to fill out the survey. If you are Deliris Montanez, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?
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You can ask Deliris Montanez to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing deliris@dmbforelpaso.com.
2024
Deliris Montanez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Montanez's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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She spent 29 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring in 2019. Much of her Army career involved training and operations, logistics, and administrative duties within the battalions to which she was assigned. She has served in multinational joint logistics task forces around the world. She has represented the United States Army Reserve with the British Forces in a logistics exchange program, and she was handpicked on many occasions for key assignments ahead of her peers. She is the recipient of many awards and medals for her honorable military service.
Her second and full-time career from 2000 to 2020 was as a Federal Agent. She was assigned to the El Paso Sector, serving in a senior agent leadership position. She applied and enforced complex criminal provisions of the INS laws, apprehended illegal immigrants and smugglers, and worked to stop drug smuggling operations.- Illegal immigration encourages and funds human and child trafficking. I am extremely fortunate that Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. On the same token, I am very understanding and sympathetic with the challenges our immigrants face in their country of origin. Living in El Paso offers a unique perspective on illegal immigration and how it affects the livelihood of all American citizens. We MUST secure our border to keep bad immigrants out and to encourage 100% LEGAL immigration. I am committed to enforce the already established laws and conduct oversight on every funding given to our federal agencies to secure our nation.
- Our Veterans have put everything on the line to protect the America we all love dearly, now we owe it to them to ensure they have the necessary care and resources they deserve. From job training to life long quality healthcare, our Veterans need a voice in Washington who will never back down. Our only response will be a FIGHT response and will NEVER wave the white flag. I am ready to fight for our Veterans to ensure they never struggle to get what they need from our government agencies.
- Mental Health awareness aims to reduce stigma around mental illness and mental health conditions by sharing personal experiences. As a Mental Health survivor myself, I promise you all we can save a life by listening closely and stop being judgemental. I am, and will always be a Mental Health Candidate advocating for resources to dramatically reduce our number of suicides in trauma patients. One life lost is way too many. With the amount of funding Congress have pushed, our numbers should be close to zero.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Montanez submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on July 20, 2024.
Campaign website
Montanez’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
On the Issues Mental Health Awareness Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects each individual differently in how we think, feel, and act. It has a tremendous effect on how we handle stress, relate to other human beings, and make healthy choices. Mental Health is treatable with the right tools and resources identified in a timely fashion. We must break the stigma … End Workplace Abuse Support legislation at the local level to end workplace abuse – Our Equal Employment Opportunity Commission established laws have many gaps that must be addressed to protect the employees of our Nation. Pro-Economy Decrease constituents’ property taxes and financial burden through local economic development. Pro- Life (Abortion) Abortions should not be legal (with some exceptions such as rape); oppose Roe v. Wade. Pro-Healthcare I support universal healthcare. I strongly support of government involvement in healthcare, including Medicare and Medicaid. Pro-Border Security I support offering a pathway to residency/citizenship to – certain documented/undocumented immigrants. e.g. those with no criminal record, who have lived in the U.S. for 5+ years and have proven to be an asset to our society. Pro-God (Faith) I support freedom of religion. We must bring religion back to our schools. Prayer is food for the soul. Pro-Law Enforcement All people matter. I do not support de-funding law enforcement agencies, but I do support Justice in Policing. No one is above the law. Climate Change Protecting the environment should be a top priority. Failing to address regulations to address climate change will lead to greater financial costs and higher energy prices.[4] |
” |
| —Deliris Montanez’s campaign website (2024)[5] | ||
2022
City council election
Deliris Montanez did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Congressional election
Deliris Montanez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Montanez's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Capitol Hill is in urgent need of citizens, like you and I, with the proper knowledge, training, and experience to represent our constituents in the best possible humanly way possible to make powerful changes. I am fully committed to my community and my nation with tangible actions, not words. Constituent's respect to elected representatives is earned not given.
- Acquired knowledge without meaningful actions and refusal to share with others is fruitless with time and resources wasted. Life experiences, education, training, and upbringing will display a shining light on my daily actions and interactions with others. Consideration of others is paramount as my primary role is to serve our people and preserve our land.
- El Paso is recognized as the Sun City for a reason and our Franklin Mountain Star must shine as far as the horizon for others to emulate. Future generations, our children, need us to set the example to prevent them from committing the same mistakes.
Transparency, Accountability, and Justice in all areas of our government
Constitution and Bill of Rights
Federal Whistleblower Protection Laws
Uniform Code of Military Justice Reform
Military Justice Improvement Act
Justice in Policing
Immigration Reform
Mental Health
HealthCare (Medicare for all)
Education (Quality and accessibility)
Employment/Jobs
Homeless Veterans
Green New Deal (Environment)
Housing
Empathy
Devotion
Commitment
Fighter
Loyalty
Kindness
Compassionate
Leader
Courageous
Bold
Loyalty
Hard Worker
Sincere
Engage
Integrity
Selfless Service
Self-control
Duty
Patient
Generous
Determination
Persistent
Open-minded
Optimistic
Spiritual
Self-awareness
Tolerant
Caring
Mindful
Teamwork
Team builder
Positive realistic attitude
Face pace
Responsibility
Ability to delegate
Laser focus on the end state
Influencer
Able to see the big picture
Fighter for fair and equal justice
Introduce bills and resolutions.
Offer amendments.
Serve on committees.
Quality of education in schools and colleges.
Qualified medical personnel in hospitals.
Increase of unemployment.
Bipartisan support enacting government legislature.
Morale within our armed forces.
Climate change if not addressed.
Riots on the streets if Congress doesn't hold agencies accountable.
Waste, fraud, and abuse on government funding if whistleblower protection laws are not made stronger.
Department of Homeland Security Committee
Judiciary Committee
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
- IamThae Phyu
- IamBrandonCasserta
- IamRichardHalliday
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Montanez's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Economy I support livable wages and progressive taxation, i.e., higher tax rates for higher income brackets. Believe taxes shouldn’t be increased for anyone (including the wealthy). Social and Human Rights I support community and social responsibility according to the Constitution and Bill of Rights which needs to be amended. Gay Marriage I support same sex marriage. Who are we to judge? Abortion Abortions should not be legal (with some exceptions such as rape); oppose Roe v. Wade. Capital Punishment I support the death penalty depending on the crime committed. It should be the last resort. Taxes I support flat tax. I am not opposed to raising taxes to fund government. High income earners should not be penalized but they must be taxed accordingly. Government Regulation Government regulations are needed to protect consumers. Maybe it is time to amend The Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Society has evolved and our official documents must reflect evolution. Healthcare I support universal healthcare. I strongly support of government involvement in healthcare, including Medicare and Medicaid. Support Obamacare. Not everyone can afford astronomic private health insurance cost. Immigration I support offering a pathway to residency/citizenship to – certain documented/undocumented immigrants. e.g. those with no criminal record, who have lived in the U.S. for 5+ years and have proven to be an asset to our society. Penalties imposed on employers who violate immigration laws. Do not support open border, but I do support the need to reform our immigration laws for asylum seekers to plead their cases and have a fair chance. Improve diplomatic alliances in other countries to prevent illegal immigration. Religion I support freedom of religion. We must bring religion back to our schools. Prayer is food for the soul. Discrimination All citizens have an equal say and so should be treated equally regarding of community/economic status. Education Parenthood sets the example and molds our youth from birth. Parents need more involvement in our schools decisions as it affect their children and household. We must invest in our future generation’s education. Justice Reform All people matter. I do not support de-funding law enforcement agencies, but I do support Justice in Policing. No one is above the law. Additional transparency and accountability of allocated funds must exist until they regain the American public trust. Climate Change Protecting the environment should be a top priority. Failing to address regulations to address climate change will lead to greater financial costs and higher energy prices. More emphasis should be put on solar power, wind, and natural gas to prevent the disturbance of the earth. New environmental and energy laws designed to reduce global warming will not hurt the economy if we teach our people on needed skill sets. Our Military I believe in transparency and accountability of allocated funds. There should be no increases in funding until the armed services can provide an accurate expenditure of allocated funds.[4] |
” |
| —Deliris Montanez Berrios' campaign website (2022)[6] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House Texas District 16 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on December 28, 2021
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 23, 2023
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Information submitted to Ballotpedia via email on September 6, 2023.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Deliris Montanez for U.S. Congress, “Issues,” accessed October 15, 2024
- ↑ Deliris Montanez Berrios(DMB) for U.S. Congress, “Issues,” accessed January 22, 2022
