The race to replace Republican Congressman Will Hurd in vast Congressional District 23 remains one of the hottest in the nation, attracting attention — and money — from Republicans and Democrats across the country.

Some experts believe that Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones has a clear shot at turning the seat blue after it’s been in Republican hands for six years. But first, she has to get through the primary.

“It is Gina’s race to lose,” said Sharon Navarro, a political science professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Navarro cites Jones’ name recognition and extensive fundraising abilities.

District 23 spreads from San Antonio west to El Paso, covering 29 counties with a population of about 773,000, most of which is Latino, according to 2016 Census Bureau data.

Hurd is in his third term but decided not to seek re-election. He first won the seat in 2014, beating incumbent Pete Gallego, a Democrat, by 2.1 percentage points. In 2016, he again beat Gallego, this time by just 1.3 percentage points.

In 2018, Hurd narrowly won over Jones, who lost by less than half a percent — fewer than 1,000 votes.

Jones, 38, a Filipina-American from San Antonio, is a former Air Force intelligence officer who worked alongside the National Security Agency in the Obama administration. If she wins the seat, she would be the first openly gay Texan elected to Congress.

According to the Federal Election Commission’s most recent three-month fundraising period, Jones raised nearly $2.5 million — including $100,000 in the 24 hours after Hurd announced that he would not run again.

“We came up just 926 votes short in 2018, despite being massively outspent. It’s clear that TX23 is ready for change,” Jones said. “As an Iraq War veteran and having worked in national security for over 14 years, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of American leadership.

“As a first-generation American and as someone who was raised by a single mom, I also know how important it is that we invest in opportunities that allow folks to reach their full potential. South and West Texas deserve a representative who will fight to lower health care costs, invest in the infrastructure needed to close the opportunity gaps between our urban and rural areas, and ensure we have smart immigration policies that reflect our values.”

While some Washington analysts who previously considered the race a dead heat are now saying the district is leaning Democrat because of Jones, she said she’s not taking anything for granted.

She has four challengers in the Democratic primary, although they’re not nearly as well known as her and their campaign war chests aren’t nearly as full.

Efrain Valdez: Valdez, 71, is a former Val Verde County judge and former Del Rio mayor who was also a teacher and coach in the border community.

Valdez said he believes that having lived, worked and served in District 23 for decades will make up for having little money for his campaign. The election commission has no financial report for him on file.

Jaime Escuder: Escuder, 42, a former public defender in suburban Chicago, now has a law practice in Alpine. FEC records show he raised $8,454 in the same three months.

Escuder said District 23 needs somebody “willing to fight for the restoration of our democracy against powerful forces like big money in politics and the erosion of the separation of powers.”

Ricardo Madrid: Madrid, 53, said his top priority is to defend and expand safety net programs, including providing comprehensive universal health care coverage.

He also calls for free higher education, student loan debt forgiveness and a $15 minimum wage.

The commission doesn’t have a financial report on file from Madrid or his election committee.

Rosalinda “Rosey” Ramos Abuabara: Abuabara, 54, an activist, has spent time protesting outside shelters in support of migrant children. She currently works with her husband, a physician, in San Antonio.

Her FEC report shows that she raised $16,218 in the three-month reporting period.

Most notably, Abuabara said she worked on Jones’ 2018 campaign. Abuabara said she feels she can better connect with the community than Jones has.

Early voting in the Republican and Democratic primaries begins today at nearly 40 locations across Bexar County and continues through Feb. 28. Election day is March 3.

The Austin Bureau Staff contributed to this report. sara.cline@express-news.net