On a warm evening in Harlingen, members of the Cameron County Republican Party gathered for a monthly meeting in the city’s former post office. The group of around 20 attendees, mostly precinct chairs, met in the lobby of the building, which was the latest in a series of changing meeting locations. Trump-Vance yard signs were in high demand among local GOP supporters, as more Harris-Walz signs appeared across the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a region with a population of 1.4 million people located at Texas’ southern tip. The area is anchored by Brownsville in Cameron County and the McAllen-metro in Hidalgo County.
The Cameron County Democratic Party was outraising its GOP counterpart, with the help of a donation from George Soros, a Hungarian billionaire often cited in right-wing conspiracies. Signs calling candidate Mayra Flores “Mayra Mentiras” were seen all over the county, originating from the campaign of her Democratic opponent, incumbent Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. Despite these signs, Cameron County was projected to turn red, as long as the elections were fair.
The article highlighted the battle between GOP and Democrats in the Rio Grande Valley, a region historically dominated by Democrats. However, there was a shift in dynamics during the 2022 midterms, with the GOP gaining ground but not to the extent they had hoped for. The region saw increased GOP presence, with billboards and Trump-themed parades becoming a common sight.
As Republicans continue to invest in the area, doubling down on their Latinidad, Democrats are focusing more on border security to appeal to the moderate and undecided voters. There’s a noticeable shift in the political landscape, with Democrats embracing more conservative views while Republicans are moving towards the center on certain issues.
The article also discussed the concerns of Texas Latinos, with cost of living being the top issue, followed by immigration. Despite efforts by both parties to appeal to Latino voters, the article highlighted the challenges faced by the GOP in capturing a significant portion of Latino support in Texas.
The Valley campaigns lack a true progressive lane, with candidates ignoring environmental justice issues and local organizing efforts. The Green Party has made its presence felt in the region, with candidates running to engage residents in electoral politics and provide an alternative to the two major parties.
Overall, the article highlighted the evolving political landscape in the Rio Grande Valley, with both GOP and Democrats making strategic moves to appeal to voters in a region that has traditionally leaned towards the Democratic party. The article also raised questions about the sustainability of the GOP’s efforts to shift the Valley towards red and the response of Latino voters in the upcoming elections.
