Plucky Republican Mayra Flores Going For It Again?...

 

By EDUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ

McALLEN, Texas | She's tasted political success and felt the national limelight, so why is it any surprise that Los Indios resident and proud Republican Mayra Flores wants that 34th Congressional District seat held at present by Democrat Vicente Gonzalez.

She's about to announce the coming campaign.

This from texastribune.org: [ National Republicans are stepping up their efforts to persuade former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores to run for her old seat in South Texas. The National Republican Congressional Committee is recruiting Flores to make a comeback bid after U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, defeated her last year in Texas’ 34th Congressional District. The NRCC has named the seat a target for the 2024 election - its only in Texas - but Flores has not revealed yet whether she will try again.

The NRCC commissioned a poll in late May that found Flores tied with Gonzalez. A polling memo first shared with The Texas Tribune said Flores "has already proven she can win, and new polling shows she remains popular." The memo touted the district as one of Republicans’ best pickup opportunities nationwide.

Flores said in a statement she is "praying about [a 2024 campaign] with my family, friends, and supporters, and will make a decision soon." ]

Does she have a shot?

Yes, she does. Flores lost the contest to Gonzalez, shown in photo at right, last go round by 9% points, a deficit her camp says can be made up. Much will depend on how she campaigns. Many Rio Grande Valley residents were put-off by her brawling style. That she was born on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande also drew concerns.

But she's now pretty much in it once more.

A dark horse in the race may be former Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos. He has said he is considering seeking the same seat, but will not decide until Labor Day (September 4th).

Vicente Gonzalez, meanwhile, expects to get the full backing of the Democratic Party National Committee. Funding, we mean...

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