Pulse Magazine

Texas has chosen its new leaders in a new shade of blue. Unofficial results show Texas, Cameron County and Hidalgo County voters have chosen democrats to lead them in Congress and at the state level.

Texas Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Eric Flores, conceded to their opponents, Democrats Gina Hinojosa and incumbent U.S. Rep. for District 34 Vicente Gonzalez Tuesday night.

Hidalgo County

Bobby Pulido held a watch party Tuesday night at the Monarca Event Center in Edinburg. Pulido defeated Republican incumbent Monica De La Cruz in the U.S. 15th Congressional District race, reclaiming the seat for democrats.
Logan Huizar/Pulse

Former Tejano singer Bobby Pulido won in the U.S. Congressional District 15 against Monica De La Cruz with 61.6% of votes.

Pulido told Pulse he is happy about the amount of students that voted in the election.

“UTRGV and the schools voted like never before,” Pulido said. “It’s good because their futures were the ones most in danger.”

He added he is glad students are using their voice for elections.

James Talarico received 71.22% of the vote in the county, keeping in line with the county’s democratic majority in past senate elections.

According to the Texas Secretary of State website, with 249 of counties reporting (12:33 a.m.), Talarico tallied 54.8 of votes over republican challenger Ken Paxton.

Gina Hinojosa, a Brownsville native, defeated Abbott with 71% of votes in the county. Hinojosa racked up 52.7% of votes in the state.

Cameron County

Eric Flores hugs a supporter after conceding the U.S. 34th Congressional District race at his watch party Tuesday night at Stefano’s Brooklyn Pizza in Harlingen. “The fight’s not over. God called me to this,” Flores said.
Mariajose Garza/Pulse

Democratic incumbent Vicente Gonzalez defeated republican candidate Eric Flores in the U.S. Congressional District 34 race, garnering 62.13% of votes.

“I’ve congratulated Vicente Gonzalez on yet another two years in congress. … I asked him to represent this district,” Flores said.

Gonzalez held a watch party in Corpus Christi. He was unavailable for comment.

While admitting defeat, Flores said the fight isn’t over and told Pulse he would consider running again.

The county also voted blue, giving Talarico 68.4% of votes and 66.8% for Hinojosa (all precincts reporting).

Election Administrator Remi Garza said the general coverage and issues being raised by candidates may have been a factor in a big voter turnout, compared to 2022.

“One of the things that we noticed, there was an extreme significant increase in younger voters, from the 18- to the 35-year range. They actually, I think, outperformed in ways they’ve never done before.”

For the county, about 40% of registered voters cast a ballot for this year’s election.