Republican Mayra Flores on Tuesday defeated Democrat Dan Sanchez in Texas’ 34th Congressional District, a longtime Democratic stronghold, The Texas Tribune reports.
Flores won the seat vacated by Rep. Filimon Vela, who retired early to take a job at a law firm.
Flores, who won 51-43, is the first Mexican-born congresswoman.
“For over 100 years, we have been taken for granted,” she said Tuesday. “I will show you what real representation looks like. I will represent all people.”
Flores is the wife of a Border Patrol agent and came under fire for social media posts pushing election conspiracy theories and QAnon hashtags.
Democrats eye November:
Flores won the special election but will have to run once again in November when Vela’s term is up.
The race was run under old district lines, which Biden carried by four points, but the November race will be run under new lines after redistricting.
Democrats will have a more favorable district once the redistricting plan is implemented.
Sanchez knocks Democrats:
Sanchez blamed national Democrats for not doing enough to defend the seat.
“Based on the results, we came up short tonight despite being outspent by millions of dollars from out of state interests and the entire Republican machine,” he said. “Too many factors were against us, including little to no support from the National Democratic Party and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.”
Democrats have their hopes set on the next election.
“In January 2023, this seat will rightfully return to Democratic hands,” Texas Democratic Party head Gilberto Hinojosa said.
