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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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 -
Texas Democrats fume over national counterparts for insufficient support in South Texas battleground
“I’m really, deeply disappointed in the DCCC,” Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said. “I hope they change their mind, and if we lose this election, it’s completely on them.” Full Story
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![Michelle Vallejo, Democratic nominee for Congressional District 15, speaks at the HERStory meet and greet in McAllen on Aug. 19th, 2022.]()
Credit: Jason Garza 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. Vicente Gonzalez and his wife defied property tax law for eight years by claiming two homestead exemptions
In Texas, married couples generally can claim only one such exemption, meant to provide some tax relief on properties considered “principal residences.” Homestead exemptions cannot typically be claimed on commercial properties, second homes or income properties. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, waves to the crowd during the July 4th parade in McAllen in 2017.]()
Credit: Douglas Young for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Dems uniformly vote for Biden’s cornerstone climate and health care legislation
The bill would invest billions into issues acutely impacting Texas, including climate change and health care, and is the result of months of intraparty fighting between moderates and progressives. Full Story
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![From left: U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin; Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston; and Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democrats in Congress balance climate concerns and fossil fuel constituencies as they consider landmark bill
The handful of Texas Democrats who have a penchant for defending the state’s oil and gas industry includes members of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee and representatives from some of the top oil producing, refining and transporting regions of the state. Full Story
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Bucking other Texas Democrats, Cuellar and Gonzalez vote against U.S. House bill that would ban semi-automatic weapons
The chamber’s attempt to ban semi-automatic weapons after a series of mass shootings appears destined to fail in the Senate. Full Story
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![A Springfield Saint Victor AR-15 rifle is displayed during the National Rifle Association annual convention in Houston on May 27, 2022.]()
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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.]()
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Four Texas Democrats in Congress warn Biden against restricting U.S. oil exports
It is the latest example of how Texas Democrats are on edge over the administration’s approach to high gas prices. Full Story
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
How Mayra Flores flipped a Rio Grande Valley congressional seat and gave Republicans hope for a new era in South Texas
Her outright victory in a special election is the latest chapter in a topsy-turvy election cycle for South Texas, which Republicans have worked to turn into a new battleground. Full Story
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![Sabrina Cantu, volunteer coordinator for Mayra Flores, a Republican candidate who is running for the vacant 34th congressional district seat, puts up signs outside their watch party event in San Benito, Texas, U.S., June 14, 2022.]()
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Republicans flood South Texas special election as national Democrats keep distance
The GOP is spending big to capture an open congressional seat in South Texas — if only for a few months — as they try to create momentum toward a November election where they are newly targeting the region. Full Story
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![Mayra Flores stands outside of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in McAllen on Oct. 16, 2021. Flores used to vote Democratically until 2010 and has been involved in politics since 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
South Texas Democrats fight to shape their party’s future in primary runoffs
Democratic primary runoffs for two congressional districts and two legislative seats in South Texas highlight the candidates’ divergent visions for the party in a region the GOP is heavily targeting. Full Story
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![Jessica Marie Ramirez, 34, attends a press conference organized by Black Voters Matter, the Texas Right to Vote Coalition, Texas for All Coalition and other advocacy groups on the south steps of the Texas Capitol on July 8, 2021.
Source diversity info: Hispanic Female]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Democrats are in danger of losing three congressional strongholds in South Texas
The seats in question are held by U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen. A third vacant seat recently belonged to Filemon Vela of Brownsville, who stepped down to take a private sector lobbying job. Full Story
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![U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, and former U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Two Democrats, two Republicans will compete in special election for South Texas congressional seat that GOP wants to flip
The winner of the special election will replace former U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, who resigned last month to work for Akin Gump. Full Story
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![Charros, which are Mexican horseman, ride horses in downtown Brownsville as a part of the Charro Days Grand International Parade on Feb. 26, 2022.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Greg Abbott’s call for more vehicle inspections at the border is causing delays and supply chain issues, locals say
Trucks delivering products from Mexico are facing hourslong waits at ports of entry. Full Story
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![Commercial vehicles go through the CBP inspection before entering El Paso from Juarez, Mexico at the Bridge of the Americas on April 8, 2022, in El Paso.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune
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