Mayra Flores, a conservative Republican, is determined to regain her seat in Congress representing the Texas 34th congressional district, an area that includes parts of the Gulf Coast and stretches inland. Born in Mexico to migrant workers, Flores and her family immigrated to the United States when she was six years old, and she became a U.S. citizen at 14. Notably, she was the first Mexican-born woman elected to serve in Congress.
Traditionally, the 34th congressional district and its surrounding region, which has a predominantly Hispanic population, have been a stronghold of Democratic Party support. However, there has been a shift in recent years, with more Hispanic and Latino voters in Texas and nationwide aligning themselves with the Republican Party.
Recognizing the potential for victory in the 34th congressional district race, the Republican National Congressional Committee (RNCC) has shown a keen interest in supporting Flores. According to RNCC polling, Flores currently has a 10-point lead over incumbent Democrat Vincente Gonzalez.
Flores first won the seat in a special election held on June 14, 2022, to fill the remaining term of Democratic representative Filemón Vela Jr., who resigned in March 2022 to join a lobbying firm. In the subsequent general election held in November 2022 for the full term, Vincente Gonzalez defeated Flores by a margin of about 10,000 votes.
Flores, a mother of four married to a U.S. Border Patrol agent, graduated from South Texas College and has worked as a respiratory therapist. She is a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and advocates for stronger border security. Additionally, Flores is pro-life, supports religious freedom and school choice, and opposes same-sex marriage.
On July 11, Flores announced her candidacy for the Texas 34th congressional seat during an appearance on Fox & Friends on Fox News. Prior to her announcement, Flores launched a scathing critique of the Biden administration’s border security policies, specifically targeting Homeland Security chief Alejandro Mayorkas.
During the Fox News interview, the host acknowledged a movement of Latinos away from the Democratic Party. However, a poll conducted by Axios-Ipsos Latino revealed that the Republican Party still has work to do to win the Hispanic and Latino vote. According to the poll, 32 percent of Latinos said “neither” party cares more about them, while 30 percent said Democrats, and 11 percent said Republicans. Another 11 percent believed both parties care equally, and 15 percent were unsure.
When asked why Latinos and Hispanics should support her and other Republicans, Flores emphasized that their values align with the Republican Party. She highlighted her pro-God, pro-life, and pro-family stance, attributing her conservative beliefs to her Mexican heritage and upbringing. Flores urged the Hispanic community not to let the Democratic Party continue playing games with their lives, alleging that the party seeks to keep them poor and under control.
Overall, Mayra Flores is determined to win back her seat in Congress and believes her conservative values will resonate with the diverse Hispanic and Latino populations in her district. As more of these voters gravitate toward the Republican Party, Flores hopes to capitalize on this changing political landscape.
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