33ยบ
    • News
    • Watch Live
    • Local News
    • KSAT Investigates
    • Crime
    • Courts
    • Vote 2023
    • Behind the Kitchen Door
    • Texas
    • Texas Legislature
    • Uvalde
    • Border
    • Education
    • 12 On Your Side
    • Coronavirus
    • Health
    • National
    • World
    • Get News App
    • Weather
    • Traffic
    • Pollen
    • Alerts
    • Traffic Cams
    • Doppler Radar
    • Whatever the Weather
    • Thermometer Thursday
    • Science with Sarah
    • Climate
    • Weather History
    • Weather 101
    • Hurricanes
    • KSAT Connect
    • Daily Forecast
    • Get Weather App
    • Sports
    • Big Game Coverage
    • BGC Streams
    • Instant Replay
    • KSAT Pigskin Classic
    • Spurs
    • NFL
    • College
    • UTSA
    • Scholar Athletes
    • Spurs Newsletter
    • Spurs Stats
    • BGC Newsletter
    • Get BGC App
    • KSAT Plus
    • Watch Live
    • Newscasts
    • Texas Crime Stories
    • KSAT News Now
    • 9 at Night
    • KSAT Explains
    • Texas Eats
    • Mental Wellness
    • 9 @ 9
    • Leading SA
    • Storytellers
    • 21 Taken
    • Necessary Evil
    • QVC
    • TV Listings
    • Get Streaming App
    • SA Live
    • As Seen On SA Live
    • Prize Wheel
    • Happy Space
    • Things to Do
    • Big Adventure
    • Meet The Cast
    • Texas Eats
    • Entertainment
    • Things To Do
    • Outdoors
    • Trending
    • KSAT Kids
    • Fiesta
    • Rodeo
    • Healthy Heart
    • Valentine's Day
    • Travel
    • Food
    • Selena
    • Weird News
    • Birthdays
    • Events Calendar
    • KSAT Connect
    • Features
    • Podcasts
    • KSAT Deals
    • SAQ
    • Solutionaries
    • Black History
    • Data
    • Money
    • Something Good
    • Breakdown
    • Trust Index
    • Educator of the Month
    • KSAT Experts
    • Great Grads
    • MeTV
    • San Antonio Business Journal
    • Live from the Southside
    • KSAT Community
    • Newsletters
    • Daily Forecast Email
    • Breaking News Alerts
    • Things To Do Newsletter
    • Texas Crime Stories Newsletter
    • Outdoors Newsletter
    • Spurs Newsletter
    • Texas Eats Newsletter
    • KSAT Investigates
    • Open Court Newsletter
    • KSAT Explains Newsletter
    • KSAT Kids Newsletter
    • Big Game Coverage Newsletter
    • Crime Report Newsletter
    • KSAT Insider
    • Join for free
    • Prize Wheel
    • BGC Streams
    • KSAT Connect
    • Contests & Rules
    • Events
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Weather
  • Sports
  • KSAT Plus
  • SA Live
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Newsletters
  • KSAT Insider
KSAT.com
  • News
  • Weather
  • Sports
  • KSAT Plus
  • SA Live
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Newsletters
  • KSAT Insider

3 warnings and 3 advisories in effect for 29 regions in the area

See the complete list

WEATHER ALERT

3 warnings and 3 advisories in effect for 29 regions in the area

VICENTE GONZALEZ


2 days ago

Congressman wants Brownsville post office named after fallen soldier

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, Democrat for Texasโ€™ District 34, plans to introduce a bill that will rename Brownsvilleโ€™s main U.S. Post Office after a fallen soldier from Brownsville.

myrgv.com

After delay, U.S. Rep. Gonzalez sworn in to 118th Congress

After a few days of delay, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-District 34, was sworn in Saturday as a member of the 118th Congress. Gonzalez returns to Congress for his fourth term after being elected, under new Congressional maps, the newest representative for the 34th Congressional District of Texas. โ€œI am honored and humbled to continue representing the people of South Texas in Washington, D.C.,โ€ stated Gonzalez in a news release. The district also runs north along U.S. Highway 77 encompassing Edcouch, Elsa, Raymondville, Kingsville. We must also continue to provide for our veterans and seniors and those looking to call America and South Texas home,โ€ Gonzalez said in the news release.

myrgv.com

U.S. Rep. Gonzalez waiting to take oath of office

HARLINGEN โ€” On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez was set to take the oath of office as congressional District 34โ€™s new representative. But Republicans continue to wrangle over their selection of the U.S. House of Representativeโ€™s next speaker, leaving his new office in limbo. Without a speaker, (Gonzalez) canโ€™t be sworn in. Until heโ€™s sworn in as District 34โ€™s new representative, Gonzalez said heโ€™s helping District 15โ€™s constituents, too. BackgroundUnder a national spotlight, Gonzalez won more than 50 percent of the vote to defeat Flores in Nov. 8โ€™s general election.

myrgv.com

Biden skips Valley for border trip but is considering future visit, congressman says

Despite calls from local leaders for President Joe Biden to visit the Rio Grande Valley, the president will instead be making a stop nearly 800 miles northwest in the border town of El Paso.

myrgv.com

President to visit El Paso, not Rio Grande Valley

President Joe Biden will not be visiting the Rio Grande Valley, according to a statement made by U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez on Thursday.

myrgv.com

Mixed bag: New Congress members should place Valley first

Members of the House of Representatives were still debating who will replace Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House; once chosen, that person swears in all members and begins the session. For the first time, South Texas will be represented by members of both major political parties. Cuellarโ€™s voting record has even fed speculation that he might switch to the Republican Party himself, although he hasnโ€™t done so. As she ends her short tenure in Congress, Flores has earned the gratitude of the people she has served. A new Congress brings new challenges and new opportunities to support Valley interests and needs.

myrgv.com

Gonzalezโ€™s move to 34th District a winning one

When redistricting cut into the Democratsโ€™ advantage in District 15, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez opted to throw down a challenge in District 34 to the east, which actually increased his partyโ€™s numbers in the redistricting.

myrgv.com

Injury forces De La Cruz to postpone tour

A recent injury has forced newly elected U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-15, to postpone a tour of the congressional district she will soon represent come Jan. 3, 2023.

myrgv.com

Monica De La Cruz is the first Republican to represent Texasโ€™ 15th Congressional District. What will she do with it?

After finally flipping the Democratic district, Monica De La Cruz vowed to โ€œrepresent all of South Texasโ€ and likely will be influential on border issues.

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.

"The RED WAVE did not happen": Texas Republican Mayra Flores projected to lose House seat

Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez is projected to defeat โ€‹GOP Rep. Mayra Flores in her reelection bid for Texas' 34th congressional district.

cbsnews.com

GOP Rep. Mayra Flores immediately blamed voters for staying home after she lost a competitive House seat

Earlier on Tuesday, Flores tweeted a picture that was photoshopped to show a red-colored ocean wave and said "TODAY'S FORECAST."

news.yahoo.com

GOP Rep. Mayra Flores immediately blamed voters for staying home after she lost a competitive House seat

Earlier on Tuesday, Flores tweeted a picture that was photoshopped to show a red-colored ocean wave and said "TODAY'S FORECAST."

news.yahoo.com

Democrat Vicente Gonzalez beats Mayra Flores in hotly-contested Texas House race

GOP Rep. Mayra Flores will lose to Rep. Vicente Gonzalez in their hotly-contested Texas House race, a blow to GOP hopes of a large House majority in 2023.

foxnews.com

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.

Gonzalez claims victory over Flores

Under a national spotlight, Democratic U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez claimed victory over incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores in a highly contested race for District 34โ€™s congressional seat Tuesday night, sending a message to the Republican Party โ€” โ€œSouth Texas cannot be bought,โ€ Gonzalez said.

myrgv.com

Gomzalez claims victory over Flores

As of 10:45 p.m, Gonzalez had won 52,237 votes, or 53 percent, while Flores drew 442,967 votes, or 43 percent, with independent Chris Royal drawing 2,907. โ€œThe people here are smarter than that.โ€During the campaign, the Republican Party and its aligned political action committees spent $7 million pushing their candidates cross the Rio Grande Valley, Gonzalez said. Across the Valley, Hidalgo County, for years his home base, pulled the vote, Gonzalez said. Floresโ€™ campaignIn her campaign, Flores carried the banner โ€œGod, family, country,โ€ symbolizing the Republicansโ€™ push into the traditionally Democratic Valley, where the GOP has made inroads among Mexican-Americans in the last few years. After District 34 was created as a result of the 2010 Censusโ€™s population increases, Vela won its first election in 2012.

myrgv.com

South Texas, Abbott vs. Oโ€™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.

Former District 34 candidate decries text messages claiming support for Mayra Flores

โ€œMy phone started blowing up with text messages and phone calls saying, โ€˜Hey, you turned on Vicente? โ€œI started getting screenshots of these text messages. The campaign messages purporting to be from Sanchez began flooding votersโ€™ phones on the eve before Election Day. The Monitor reached out to the Mayra Flores campaign for comment and was directed to send inquiries via email. The paper also attempted to call some of the phone numbers associated with the false text messages, all of which had a San Antonio area code.

myrgv.com

Clinton shows support for moderate, progressive candidates ahead of Election Day

Over 500 people showed up to hear President Bill Clinton stump for fellow Democrat Michelle Vallejo in Edinburg on Monday afternoon, a day before Election Day. Richard Gonzales, chairman of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party, introduced Vallejo who was welcomed by an energetic crowd. The Democratic candidate emphasized points in her platform like healthcare, education, and improving the quality of life for South Texas. โ€œThe first time I ever went to a political event was when Hillary Clinton was running in 2008,โ€ Sabrina Gonzalez said. โ€œShe went to the Dodge Arena.โ€While Clinton represents a different time in the Democratic Party, Sabrina Gonzalez said she felt inspired to witness an act of solidarity during divisive times.

myrgv.com

Voters have one more chance to cast ballots Tuesday

Local voters have one last chance to cast their ballots before polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

myrgv.com

De La Cruz wins US House seat; Cuellar, Gonzalez reelected

Border Democrats in Texas held the line in two key House races.

GOP confidence grows about 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.

sanantonioreport.org

Republican confidence grows as they eye a South Texas congressional sweep

Democrats are spending big to stop Republicans from flipping any of the three key battleground seats that have historically gone blue.

Cameron County Republicans challenging Democratic base

HARLINGEN โ€” Cameron County residents are going to the polls in strong numbers for early voting, closing in on 2018โ€™s record mid-term election turnout amid heavily contested races as Republicans challenge Democrats in the Rio Grande Valleyโ€™s traditionally Democratic stronghold. Early voting runs through Nov. 4. Early voting demographicsSo far, the electionโ€™s early voting list, which includes information on voters who have cast ballots, is offering a snap-shot into votersโ€™ demographics. โ€œFor once, people actually have congressional races where people are being courted.โ€Meanwhile, she pointed to local Republican women challenging the countyโ€™s traditional Democratic base. โ€œYou see a tremendous amount of money coming from the outside.โ€Meanwhile, Cisneros Graham pointed to a โ€œgrass-rootsโ€ movement as drawing more Republican voters.

myrgv.com

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.

LUPE urges community to cast vote, beware of misinformation

โ€œWe know the suffering that comes from not voting,โ€ Juanita Valdez-Cox, executive director of LUPE, said. And theyโ€™re looking at South Texas Latino voters,โ€ Dani Marrero Hi, LUPEโ€™s director of communication, said. Republicans are investing heavily in the race for Congressional District 34 where a Republican, Mayra Flores, won the seat after the democratic incumbent suddenly vacated it. Joaquin Garcia, a community organizer with LUPE, reminded people about their rights at the ballot box, including the protection against intimidation. Their poison is to divide us and distract us, but here in LUPE the antidote is to unite and press ahead.โ€

myrgv.com

Valley cities to hire 28 new police officers through DOJ funding

McAllen, Edinburg and Alton will benefit from the Department of Justiceโ€™s COPS Hiring Program, otherwise known as the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program. The program aims to reduce and prevent crime by providing communities with funding to hire or rehire law enforcement officers. McAllen will receive $1.875 million to hire 15 officers, Edinburg will receive $1 million for eight new officers and Alton will get $781,029 for five new hires. โ€œThe Rio Grande Valley is one of the safest regions in the country thanks to the efforts of our local law enforcement,โ€ Gonzalez said in the release. I am proud to announce this funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure local police departments can hire more officers and keep our communities safe.โ€

myrgv.com

The midterm elections are here. These are the races to watch.

Early voting starts Monday with a slew of competitive races on the ballot.Hereโ€™s a rundown of some of the most hotly contested races โ€” state and federal โ€” that Rio Grande Valley voters will decide.

myrgv.com

What we know about the Trump rally in Robstown: Gun show on schedule for same day at fairgrounds

Here's what we know about plans Trump's rally in Robstown on Oct. 22.

caller.com

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.

Dem candidate running in contentious House race says his female opponent can't 'think' or 'speak' for herself

Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez said Wednesday that his GOP challenger, Mayra Flores, "can't think for herself, can't speak for herself, can't act for herself, can't vote for herself.โ€

foxnews.com

Texas Democrats fume over national counterparts for insufficient support in South Texas battleground

โ€œIโ€™m really, deeply disappointed in the DCCC,โ€ Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said. โ€œI hope they change their mind, and if we lose this election, itโ€™s completely on them.โ€

Why Vicente Gonzalez may not be safe in his solidly Democratic district

The seasoned South Texas Democrat is running his most aggressive campaign operation since his first run for Congress.

Letters: Flores praised

I am glad to read that Rep. Mayra Flores, R-San Benito, is co-sponsoring House Resolution 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2021, which was introduced by Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., to repeal the windfall elimination provision. How does WEP work? If you worked, saved and earned your pension while paying into Social Security, itโ€™s your money and should not be taken away by the government. If this bill passes, firefighters, law enforcement officers and public schoolteachers would keep their Social Security benefits and their pensions in full. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2021.

myrgv.com

Sen. Ted Cruz leads charge in Harlingen rally for U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores

Several hundred supporters of U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores met Sunday to give raucous support for her re-election in November, spurred on by the Republican congresswoman and a fiery speech by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX.

myrgv.com

Represented

People in U.S. House District 34 essentially will elect a new representative in the Nov. 8 election after Filemon Vela, who was elected to the seat in 2012, resigned earlier this year. Gonzalez has served three terms representing House District 15, which runs from Hidalgo County to north of San Antonio. Flores assumed the seat on June 21 and has voted in all of the 179 House votes held since then. Like Gonzalez, however, Flores in Congress has shown a willingness to cross party lines in her brief legislative career. Both Flores and Gonzalez have shown that they will be full participants in the legislative process.

myrgv.com

Vulnerable Dem skips House votes to attend campaign event, claims he missed due to 'public health emergency'

Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, skipped a number of House votes and attended a campaign event instead, taking advantage of COVID rules allowing members to vote remotely

foxnews.com

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.

$440 million awarded to South Texas financial institutions to address poverty

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez announced Friday that five South Texas financial institutions will receive more than $440 million to help address poverty in the region, which is widely known as among the poorest in the state.

myrgv.com

What is in a 'safe zones' plan to address the southern border crisis: Rep. Vicente Gonzalez

Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, elaborated on the strategy that former President Trump liked to deal with the crisis at the southern border on "Your World."

foxnews.com

Letters: Mayraโ€™s claims

Mayra claims liberals in Washington attacked American energy and thatโ€™s why gas prices are so high. Mayra says Democrats have long felt entitled to the Latino vote with little to show in return. Itโ€™s like saying that Republicans have long felt entitled to the NRA vote, the KKK vote and the white nationalist vote with little to show in return. Italo J. ZarateBrownsvilleGonzalezthankedThank you, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, for cosponsoring the Comprehensive Care for Alzheimerโ€™s Act. Please join me and the Alzheimerโ€™s Association in thanking Rep. Gonzalez for co-sponsoring the Comprehensive Care for Alzheimerโ€™s Act.

myrgv.com

โ€˜Big lieโ€™ targeted: Gonzalez, Schiff tout Biden achievements

โ€œFor the first time in history we will be negotiating pharmaceutical prices for Medicare recipients,โ€ Gonzalez said. He also highlighted the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, aimed at bringing microchip manufacturing back to this country from China. Gonzalez and Schiff also used the event as an opportunity to discuss Jan. 6, the โ€œbig lieโ€ โ€” that the 2020 presidential election was stolen โ€” and the ongoing internal threat to American democracy. He said he came to the Valley to see in person things Gonzalez has been telling him about for the last year or so. โ€œThis visit has been long in the planning and I really appreciate the opportunity,โ€ Schiff said.

myrgv.com

Democrats carry out Oโ€™Rourke campaign event without him

ALAMO โ€” With gubernatorial candidate Beto Oโ€™Rourke yet to return to the campaign trail following a bacterial infection, other Democratic candidates took the helm here to fire up support for the party. Among them is Democrat Rochelle Garza who is facing off against Texas Attorney Gen. Ken Paxton, a Republican, in the November election. โ€œEveryone is saying that here, and I will reiterate that โ€” it is absolutely critical that we get people to vote. Vallejo is currently running in one of the most closely-watched races in the country against Republican Monica De La Cruz. He also pointed to the outside corporations that were pouring millions of dollars to support Republican candidates in the region.

myrgv.com

Alamo Fire and Police Departments receive $500K for new radio equipment

The city of Alamo was awarded a grant of more than $500,000 to help its police and fire departments upgrade their outdated radio equipment.

myrgv.com

Will Hispanics in South Texas Vote for Abortion Rights?

The region has long been characterized as adamantly opposed to abortion rights. But the reality is more complicated. And times are changing.

texasmonthly.com

In Texasโ€™ most competitive congressional race, neither candidate is running toward the center

Progressive Democrat Michelle Vallejo and conservative Republican Monica De La Cruz face off in a South Texas district long represented by moderate Democrats.

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 โ€œprincipal residences.โ€

sanantonioreport.org

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 โ€œprincipal residences.โ€ Homestead exemptions cannot typically be claimed on commercial properties, second homes or income properties.

Texas Dems uniformly vote for Bidenโ€™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.

Tips for saving on your commute amid high inflation

Gas prices are falling but still high.

Fox News holds โ€˜Broken Border Crisisโ€™ summit in Edinburg

A summit focusing on immigration, criminal organizations and narcotics smuggling along the southern border was hosted by Fox News on Wednesday in Edinburg and attended by local ranchers, law enforcement, Gov. Greg Abbott, Democrat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and Republican U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores.

myrgv.com

By millions, South Texas Republicans are raising more than ever

Ten years ago, Republicans running for Rio Grande Valley congressional districts raised and spent lackluster amounts of money for the three seats in Washington D.C. that had been blue for as long as anyone could remember.

myrgv.com

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.

Texas congressman faces blowback over bloggerโ€™s โ€˜Miss Frijolesโ€™ attacks

The controversy arose as Republicans step up outreach efforts to court the Hispanic vote, with a growing number of Latino voters shifting to the right across the country, some experts say.

washingtonpost.com

Blogger with ties to Vicente Gonzalez lobs racist attack at his congressional opponent Mayra Flores

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalezโ€™s campaign has a history with the politics blogger, using more than $1,000 in campaign funds to pay him for advertising services.

Texas blogger called GOP Rep. Mayra Flores 'Miss Frijolesโ€™

Flores is saying that Gonzalez is funding 'racist' ads.

mysanantonio.com

Letters: Response to letters

I would like to respond to two letters recently appearing in The Monitor. The first was by Jose C. Coronado, who lists all the things wrong with forgiving student loans (June 2). What he doesnโ€™t mention is teenagers who were sucked in by unscrupulous online โ€œuniversitiesโ€ that totally misled their students. But it doesnโ€™t stop there; other โ€œeducatorsโ€ like cosmetology schools, HVAC and auto repair schools take their money and provide little. Then heโ€™s critical of the Republican delegation that comes to the RGV in response to the lifting of Title 42.

myrgv.com

$7.5 million grant awarded for Hidalgoโ€™s Payne Arena

The city of Hidalgo will be receiving a $7.5 million grant for the Payne Arena, which was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez said in a news release. Hidalgo has been awarded the Shutter Venue Operators Grant of $7,523,373.75 for the arena. The grant is funded by the Small Business Administration after Congress passed the Save Our Stages Act in 2020. โ€œOur community venues were some of the hardest hit as we battled COVID-19,โ€ Gonzalez, D-McAllen, said in the release. โ€œThanks to Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Vicente Gonzalez for a job well done,โ€ Hidalgo Mayor Sergio Coronado said in the release.

myrgv.com

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 administrationโ€™s approach to high gas prices.

District 34 Republican enjoying special election victory momentum, but faces different November landscape

โ€œThe NRCC and TX GOP also injected $1.1 million in paid voter contact efforts into the Flores campaign,โ€ he said. In stark contrast, the Democratic House Majority PAC announced a $112,000 television advertisement buy attacking Flores during the special election on June 8, less than a week from the June 14 special election. She filed to run in the special election on April 6 following her victory in the March Republican primary for the November contest. Federal Election Commission records do not distinguish between how much Flores raised and spent during the special election and during her primary victory. The special election occurred in the old District 34 boundaries, which included voters from Goliad, Bee, San Patricio and Nueces counties.

myrgv.com

Mayra Flores reaching for American dream

HARLINGEN โ€” Mayra Flores, newly elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, vows to become the voice of the people across deep South Texasโ€™ District 34. PlatformDuring her campaign, Flores drew support amid the national economy reeling from the coronavirus pandemicโ€™s economic slowdown. โ€œShe is pro-life, pro-second amendment and pro-law enforcement.โ€American dreamOn the campaign trail, Flores weaved the fabric of the American dream into her lifeโ€™s story. In 2019, she graduated from South Texas College with a bachelorโ€™s degree in organizational leadership. โ€˜More everyday Americansโ€™Now, Flores is working as a respiratory care practitioner for a home-health agency.

myrgv.com

MyRGV.com

Congratulations to Republican Mayra Flores of San Benito, who won Tuesdayโ€™s special election to serve out the term of District 34 U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela. Floresโ€™ strong showing is impressive; she captured 51% of the unofficial vote in a four-way race. She will face U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen, who currently represents District 15 but now lives in District 34 due to post-census redistricting. Is Flores willing to work to convince her fellow Republicans that reasonable immigration policies are necessary, and the need to craft those policies grows more urgent every day? We trust that Flores doesnโ€™t merely sit pat and count on incumbency and party support to gather votes in November.

myrgv.com

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.

4 takeaways from the primaries in Texas, South Carolina and Nevada

The GOPโ€™s first pickup of 2022 in Texas, plus a mixed outcome for Trump critics in South Carolina.

washingtonpost.com

Republican Mayra Flores flips Democratic congressional seat in Texas special election

Republican Mayra Flores flips Democratic congressional seat in Texas special election

news.yahoo.com

After Years of Victory Laps, the GOP Has Actually Won a Big South Texas Race

Mayra Flores won a special election to serve as the first Republican in the U.S. House from the Rio Grande Valley since 1871.

texasmonthly.com

Mayra Flores secures Republican win for special Congressional race

Republican Mayra Flores won Tuesdayโ€™s special election for the Texas District 34 congressional seat. Turnout for the special election was a dismal 7.30 percent. In Hidalgo County, Flores won 42.76 percent to Sanchezโ€™s 52.07 percent. Tuesdayโ€™s special election, called by Abbott after Vela announced his early retirement, was held under the old District 34 lines, which Joe Biden won by four points in 2020. The state and national Republicans party, eager to flip South Texas from blue to red, see an opportunity in Flores.

myrgv.com

Valleyโ€™s Democratic congressional runoffs headed to recounts

Two hotly contested, Rio Grande Valley-centric congressional elections are headed for recounts. On Monday afternoon Ruben Ramirez, a moderate Democrat who ran against progressive Michelle Vallejo for the District 15 nomination, announced he would file a petition for a recount with the Texas Democratic Party on Tuesday. The Texas Democratic Party on Monday finished canvassing and certifying the votes, triggering the petitions for recount in the tight Democratic runoffs. In District 15, Ramirez lost to Vallejo by just 30 votes. In a statement, Ramirez said his campaign owes it to District 15 to ensure that every vote is accurately counted.

myrgv.com

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 โ€” if only for a few months โ€” as they try to create momentum toward a November election where they are newly targeting the region.

South Texas Democrats fight to shape their partyโ€™s future in primary runoffs

Democratic primary runoffs for two congressional districts and two legislative seats in South Texas highlight the candidatesโ€™ divergent visions for the party in a region the GOP is heavily targeting.

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.

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.

Greg Abbottโ€™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.

Abbott calls June 14 special election for South Texas congressional seat that Republicans want to flip

The race will determine who finishes the term of former U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville.

U.S. Rep. Filemon Velaโ€™s resignation announcement sparks a sudden special-election scramble in hotly contested South Texas

A special election will determine who finishes Velaโ€™s term, and while the winner will only serve for a short period, Republicans are already eyeing the contest to show momentum in South Texas.

Election results 2022: Congress, U.S. Rep. 15, Democrat and Republican primaries

Find the latest, updated election results for the 2022 primary election in Texas on March 1, 2022.

As Republicans try to flip open seat in South Texas, Democrats debate how to win over voters

South Texas Democrats are facing an identity crisis and trying to distance themselves from out-of-state progressives after the party underperformed in the region in 2020.

Who raised and spent the most? Data shows congressional candidates finances ahead of primary election

KSAT 12 analyzed the campaign finance reports of congressional candidates in the San Antonio area, revealing who has the fundraising advantage heading into the primary.

Former ACLU lawyer Rochelle Garza decides to run for attorney general after redistricting upends congressional campaign

Garza, a former lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, had been running to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville. U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, is now running for Vela's seat after redistricting made Gonzalez's seat more competitive for Republicans.

With a congressional seat suddenly open, Democrats in the Rio Grande Valley race to recruit for a competitive district

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez announced last week heโ€™ll seek reelection in a new seat, leaving his 15th Congressional District open for the 2022 election. Candidate filing begins Nov. 13.

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez will run for a different House seat in 2022 after redistricting made his more competitive

Texas lawmakers made Gonzalezโ€™s current 15th Congressional District more competitive for Republicans. The representative now plans to run in the 34th District, which is safer for Democrats.

Texas Senate approves congressional map that draws no new Black or Hispanic districts even as people of color fueled population growth

Texas gained two new seats in Congress based on population growth fueled by people of color. But the Senateโ€™s proposal provides no new majority-Black or majority-Hispanic districts to reflect that growth.

South Texas was already a political battleground. New maps could alter game plans.

With proposed maps out, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, says he might switch to a neighboring district where U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, is retiring. The initial maps are also sure to impact decisions in regional legislative races.

National Republicans zero in on South Texas congressional race to oust Vicente Gonzalez

The Democratic incumbent, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen, had a surprisingly close race last year as President Joe Biden underperformed across the region, and his 2020 challenger, Monica De La Cruz-Hernandez, is running again.

GOP eyes Latinos in South Texas in effort to regain Congress

In Republicansโ€™ bid to retake control of Congress, a traditionally Democratic stretch of South Texas has quietly become a top battleground.

South Texas emerges as political hotbed after Democrats underperformed there in 2020

Recent headlines about the influx of unaccompanied minors at the border have only intensified the GOPโ€™s drive to turn South Texas into a new political background. The foundation for a South Texas-centered election cycle was laid in November, when Biden underperformed across South Texas in stunning fashion. โ€œFor the first time in generations, or maybe ever, we lost โ€ฆ South Texas counties with significant Hispanic populations. Hinojosa also suggested the GOP focus on South Texas "will ultimately help retain and gain other seats in tougher regions.โ€Cuellar may be the biggest question mark of the GOPโ€™s three targets in South Texas. Much remains uncertain, and until the maps are drawn later this year, the future of South Texas politics is theoretical.

National Republicans say they'll target five U.S. House seats held by Texas Democrats in 2022

The National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm of House Republicans, announced Wednesday that it's targeting five Texas Democrats in the U.S. House as they seek to regain their majority in 2022. The list of targets is three more than the GOP seriously targeted last year and includes three Democrats in South Texas where the party underperformed in November. Republicans are especially emboldened after the NRCC's Democratic counterpart, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, targeted 10 GOP-held seats in Texas last election cycle and won none. But Biden underperformed in all three South Texas districts, carrying Cuellar's and Vela's seats by 4 points and Gonzรกlez's by 2. And he has said South Texas is a priority as he begins his term as a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Four Texas Democrats urge Joe Biden to rescind executive order pausing oil and gas leases on federal lands, waters

According to the Congressional Research Service, the federal government owns less than 2% of the land in Texas. โ€œTexas ... has been ravaged by the coronavirus and this recent Executive Order will hurt an already suffering community. Therefore, I urge the Biden administration to rescind this federal order and reevaluate the impact of this measure with input from relevant stakeholders and experts,โ€ Gonzales said in a news release. Of the leases that are active, slightly more than 2.5 million acres are producing or have produced oil or gas. The letter does not mention where the four Texas Democrats stand on Bidenโ€™s decision to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline.

Donald Trump made inroads in South Texas this year. These voters explain why.

But Stewart and other South Texas voters who spoke to The Texas Tribune said the Democratic Party as a whole does not. And a similar swing by Mexican Americans in South Texas offset some gains Democrats made in the stateโ€™s suburbs. Trumpโ€™s statements condemning protesters and backing law enforcement connected with voters in South Texas, where a significant portion of the population either works in law enforcement or has friends or family members who do. I just think as a result, he didnโ€™t make Latinos a priority until way later.โ€Some South Texas voters said they do not recognize the Democratic Party any more. Jay Peรฑa, an attorney in Rio Grande City, said as a kid he was raised a Democrat like most people he knows.

Texans in Congress divided over President Donald Trumps protest response

Nearly every member of Congress from Texas has publicly condemned the police actions captured in the video. Thanks to the pandemic, House members are not engaging with each other face-to-face, which is typically vital to moving legislation into law. Despite the turmoil in Washington, U.S. House members were mostly in their own districts on Tuesday. "We can be united for change in our society and we can be thankful that law enforcement is enabling our First Amendment rights. Like the president, Texas Republicans have almost uniformly called for law and order in the same press releases where they express despair over Floyd's death.

  • Closed Captioning / Audio Description
  • Contests and Rules
  • KSAT Internships
  • Email Newsletters
  • Subscribe to KSAT RSS Feeds
  • Contact Us
  • Careers at KSAT
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Public File
  • FCC Applications
  • Do Not Sell My Info
Follow Us
facebook
twitter
instagram
youtube
rss
Get Results with Omne
Omne Results Logo

If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.


Graham Media Group LogoGraham Digital Logo

Copyright ยฉ 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings.