The Rio Grande Valley is consistently growing, projected to nearly double by 2045. As our population grows, the number of registered voters also increases, but not as much as expected. From 2010 to 2020, voter registration rose from 40.4% to 47.7%. However, voter turnout remained low compared to the Texas average. Historically Democratic, many believe the region’s political landscape may be shifting, as many Hispanics identify with conservative religious values. However, studies indicate they more heavily identify with Democratic beliefs.
Now that voting season is here, it is crucial to learn about the candidates running for various positions, including the President, U.S. Representatives, and even the Board of Trustees for your local school district. However, in this 2024 election, one of the most important races is the one for District 34, which encompasses Brownsville to Corpus Christi. District 34 was the result of the 2010 Census, showing an increase in the region’s population.
Representatives have the power to introduce bills and resolutions, serve on committees and offer amendments. Each representative essentially makes decisions that will impact the entire region and possibly the entire state and nation at times. It is of the utmost importance that voters for District 34 choose their representative wisely.
Digging Deep into the Issues At Hand
According to UnidosUS’s 2024 Pre-Election Poll of Texas’s Hispanic Electorate, the top six issues for Latinos in Texas include: controlling inflation, creating higher-paying jobs, creating a path to citizenship for immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, lowering healthcare costs, decriminalizing abortion, and strengthening gun control laws.
Latinos across Texas are also concerned about human and drug trafficking, along with border security. However, there is minimal support for any mass deportation plan and wide support for long-residing undocumented residents.
When measuring trust in which political party would best address their concerns, 55% of RGV voters trust Democrats, while 19% prefer Republicans. The remainder either trust both or don’t know who to trust. When unsure who to trust or when voter fatigue kicks in, it is essential to return to the issues.
Where the District 34 Candidates Lie
As the race to represent Texas Congressional District 34 in South Texas is a top priority for both major national political parties, it is crucial to be well-informed on candidates, incumbent Congressman Vicente Gonzalez and former Representative Mayra Flores.
Inflation
Concerns about inflation stem from the rising cost of food, housing, and gas. The national inflation rate was 2.4% in September, down from 4.1% last year, but $10 in January 2020 is now the equivalent of $11.96 in January 2024.
Both Gonzalez and Flores aim to lower the cost of living. Gonzalez supports the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to reduce the costs of daily necessities and healthcare while ensuring that families earning $400,000 or less will not receive a tax increase. In contrast, Flores criticizes the Act, arguing it could raise taxes. She advocates for increased domestic oil and gas production, reduced government spending, and tax cuts for families and businesses.
Job Creation
This year, Texas has tripled the national average job growth rate. However, 52,7% of people in the RGV live below 200% of the poverty level, including 63.7% of children.
Gonzalez believes in fostering job creation through economic diversification, emphasizing the importance of trade with Mexico. He advocates for raising the minimum wage to $15, affordable childcare, and more accessible healthcare. Flores champions the American Dream and advocates for pro-growth policies with minimal business regulations. She believes a $15 minimum wage is too high and may cause small businesses financial stress.
Immigration
According to the U.S. Congress, immigration leads to more innovation, a better-educated workforce, and higher economic productivity.
Flores argues that illegal immigration fuels human trafficking, emphasizing the need for a secure border. As an immigrant, she advocates for legal immigration and supports the U.S. Border Patrol.
Gonzalez proposes “safe zones” in Central America for asylum seekers and endorses Biden’s asylum policy, which bars asylum seekers when they exceed a certain level. Gonzalez also supports compassionate immigration reform, including the DREAM Act and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Act.
Healthcare + Abortion
Regarding abortion, about 65% of Latinos oppose making it illegal, regardless of their personal beliefs.
Gonzalez aims to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, expand Medicaid, and lower prescription drug prices. Based on her experience as a medical professional, Flores also supports lowering healthcare-related costs.
Flores wants to return to “Trump-era” policies, while Gonzalez criticizes the state’s refusal to accept federal funds to help lower the uninsured rate of over 25%, one of the highest in Texas.
Both candidates do not support a federal abortion ban; however, due to Flores’ pro-life beliefs, she previously co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act, which defines life as beginning at fertilization. She believes abortions should only be allowed in cases where a woman’s life is in danger or cases of rape or abuse. Gonzalez believes abortion should be a healthcare issue and condemns strict abortion bans.
Without access to safe abortions, women will resort to other life-threatening methods. Researchers have found that a federal abortion ban would lead maternal deaths to rise by 24%.
Gun Control
From 2018 to 2023, there have been 80 school shootings, killing 125 people. Firearms may cause devastating injuries that leave a lasting impact on victims and their loved ones.
Gonzalez strongly supports the Safer Communities Act, which allocates funding to improve school safety and restricts access to firearms. Flores voted against this bill during her time in Congress and claims to have an alternative plan that will provide additional resources to schools to prevent gun violence.
Although the candidates disagree on the Safer Communities Act, they both do not support reinstating the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.
Ya Guey, Go Vote!
When voting, it is important to remember that you’re not just voting for yourself; you’re voting for all of the generations that will come after you. You’re voting for the children, the elderly, those experiencing homelessness, people who are undocumented. The list goes on and on.
When making your way to the polls, think of the 774,101 people that your vote represents.
To find your nearest polling location for election-day voting, click here.
