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.
Congress
Read the latest Texas Tribune coverage of Congress, from the state’s lawmakers in Washington to key legislation and political debates shaping Texas and the nation.
Republicans flip U.S. House seat in South Texas, historically a Democratic stronghold
Mayra Flores, a Republican, won a special election to fill the unexpired term of U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela. Another election will be held in November.
Ted Cruz is skeptical about red flag provision in federal bipartisan deal on guns
Red flag laws are designed to keep guns out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has championed the bipartisan agreement.
Lawmakers urge DPS to give more Uvalde shooting information in Spanish
Nearly three weeks after the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, the state has been fiercely criticized for not providing Spanish-language information in an overwhelmingly Hispanic community.
U.S. House approves massive $31 billion “Ike Dike” project to protect Texas coast from hurricanes
The U.S. House voted to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning for the massive coastal barrier project in Galveston Bay, but funding is not yet secured. The largest civil engineering project in U.S. history would permanently alter the Texas coast.
U.S. House’s Jan. 6 committee will begin laying out evidence Thursday, but it’s not yet known if any Texans will testify
The committee previously subpoenaed several Trump allies with Texas ties. The hearing begins at 7 p.m. Central time Thursday, but a witness list has not been released.
Fourth grade Uvalde survivor testifies that she covered herself in another student’s blood to survive shooter
Miah Cerrillo, 11, was among the small group of Uvalde survivors and community members who testified at a House hearing Wednesday, offering details about the incident and the devastation to those left behind.
John Cornyn says bipartisan gun legislation won’t include weapons bans or expanding background checks
Cornyn on Monday made clear in a Senate floor speech that there are limits to what he and the Senate GOP conference are willing to support in their efforts to pass bipartisan gun legislation.
Jessica Cisneros, Ruben Ramirez demand recounts in two close-call South Texas runoff races
The state Democratic Party confirmed Monday that Ramirez’s opponent, Michelle Vallejo, won by a slim margin.
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.



