No red wave, but Republicans continue inroads into long-Democratic South Texas
The GOP flipped only one of the three congressional seats it wanted this cycle. But the party made inroads down the ballot. Full Story
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![Supporters of Monica De La Cruz hold a campaign banner outside the Lark Community Center in McAllen on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Vicente Gonzalez holds back Republican surge, returns 34th Congressional District to Democratic control
The Democratic congressman ousted Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, who had won a special election in June. The race was key to Republican efforts to win over Hispanic voters in South Texas. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, and Democratic candidate for Texasí 34th Congressional District at his watch party in Brownsville on Nov. 8, 2022.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
South Texas, Abbott vs. O’Rourke, and Harris County: Here are the biggest things to watch for on election night
While the GOP focuses on the border and economy under President Joe Biden, Democrats are hoping to prove polls and political forecasters wrong by tapping into anger over the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the Uvalde school shooting. Full Story
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![Democratic gubernatorial nominee Beto O'Rourke, left, and Gov. Greg Abbott during a debate in Edinburg on Sept. 30, 2022.]()
Credit: Courtesy of News Nation -
Republican confidence grows as they eye a South Texas congressional sweep
Democrats are spending big to stop Republicans from flipping two of the three key battleground seats that have historically gone blue. Full Story
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![Republican Mayra Flores is greeted by a woman during her primary night watch party in San Benito, on June 14, 2022.]()
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Republican Mayra Flores rejected from all-Democratic Hispanic caucus
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus bylaws explicitly block Republicans from joining due to major policy differences between members in the past. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, meets with supporters after the Pro Life America's Hopeful Future conference in McAllen on July 9, 2022. Flores, recently sworn into office, faces an uphill battle in November as she competes against Vicente Gonzalez for the Texas CD-34 seat.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Republicans outraise Democrats in battle for South Texas congressional seats
The three GOP candidates raked in a combined $4.3 million over the past three months, and their Democratic competitors got $2.4 million together, according to new campaign finance filings. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, meets with a supporter after Pro-Life America's Hopeful Future conference in McAllen on July 9, 2022.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Targeting three congressional seats, Republicans blitz South Texas with attack ads
In two of the three races, Democrats are hitting back as outside Republican groups try to turn the region red. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, speaks on the CPAC panel, "Biden's Border Crisis" at the Conservative Political Action Coalition convention in Dallas on Aug. 5, 2022.]()
Credit: Photo by Zach Roberts/NurPhoto via REUTERS -
U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores’ campaign says she misspoke when she said she fired aide after sexual harassment allegations
Flores’ campaign previously said former district director Aron Peña had resigned after multiple allegations of sexual harassment. Peña has denied any wrongdoing and said the accusations were politically motivated. Full Story
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![US Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, speaks with Jack Herrera, senior editor at Texas Monthly, at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 24, 2022.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
District director for U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores resigns amid sexual harassment allegations
Flores’ district director, Aron Peña, was accused of touching and kissing an intern without her consent. He denies any wrongdoing. Full Story
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![Aron Peña.]()
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Texas Republicans rally their base at CPAC, but draw criticism over Hungarian prime minister’s appearance
Viktor Orbán appeared at the convention in Dallas after saying last week that Europeans “do not want to become peoples of mixed race.” Texas officials attending, though, stayed focused on criticizing Democrats. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas on Aug. 5, 2022.]()
Credit: Zach Roberts/NurPhoto via REUTERS -
To stay in Congress, Mayra Flores bets Democratic South Texas is ready for an outspoken conservative
A Mexican immigrant who worked in cotton fields to pay for school supplies, Flores is a source of hope for Republicans looking to gain ground in the Rio Grande Valley. But her staying power will be put to the test this November. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios,stands outside of Our Lady of Sorrows church after the Pro Life America's Hopeful Future conference in McAllen on July 9, 2022. Flores, recently sworn into office, faces an uphill battle in November as she competes against Vicente Gonzalez for the Texas CD-34 seat.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Blogger with ties to Vicente Gonzalez lobs racist attack at his congressional opponent Mayra Flores
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez’s campaign has a history with the politics blogger, using more than $1,000 in campaign funds to pay him for advertising services. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, speaks at the Pro Life America's Hopeful Future conference in McAllen on July 9, 2022. Flores, recently sworn into office after a special election, faces an uphill battle in November as she competes against Democrat Vicente Gonzalez for the Texas CD-34 seat.]()