Primary Elections in Texas: Surprising Results on the Border
HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) —
Primary elections held on Tuesday in Texas revealed some unexpected outcomes, particularly in border districts where Democrats aim to regain ground in a state they haven't held statewide office in since 1994.
23rd Congressional District
In Texas's 23rd Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales faces a surprising May 26 runoff for the Republican nomination against YouTuber and firearms manufacturer Brandon Herrera. This outcome arose as neither candidate secured over 50% of the vote, according to the Texas Secretary of State's office.
House Ethics Committee Investigation
In the latest episode of Border Report Live, El Paso correspondent Julian Resendiz discusses a formal investigation announced on Wednesday by the House Ethics Committee against Gonzales, who has been accused of having an affair with a former staffer who subsequently committed suicide.
Border Races: A Look at Key Contests
Sandra Sanchez, South Texas correspondent, provides insights into several border races. Notably, two-time Latin Grammy-winning singer Bobby Pulido secured the Democratic nomination on Tuesday night to challenge Republican incumbent Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz in Texas’s 15th Congressional District. De La Cruz faced no opposition on Tuesday.
District Redrawing and Demographics
The district, redrawn in 2025 by the Texas Legislature, is a controversial move perceived to favor Republicans. It now encompasses 11 counties and over 611,000 voters, stretching from the U.S.-Mexico border to the outskirts of San Antonio.
Pulido's Victory and Key Issues
Pulido won the Democratic nomination with a two-thirds majority over ER physician Dr. Ada Cuellar. Pulido highlighted healthcare spending, the economy, and border security as top issues, including the alleged racial profiling of Hispanic communities in the Rio Grande Valley:
"In the Rio Grande Valley, 40% of the people here speak Spanish... and the Supreme Court allowed them to profile based on your accent... This is a very problematic issue that requires a lot of sensitivity... We are such a diverse population... People are living in fear right now, and we have to do something about it."
34th Congressional District
In Texas’s 34th Congressional District, Eric Flores, a former federal prosecutor and Army veteran, secured 56% of the vote to win the Republican nomination over Maya Flores, a former Republican Congresswoman who briefly held the seat from June 2022 until January 2023.
Flores won the seat during a special election, making it red for the first time, but she subsequently lost to U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat whose district was redrawn and who switched to that district.
Eric Flores will face Gonzalez in November's General Election, after Gonzalez easily won the Democratic nomination with 62% of the vote.
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