MCALLEN, Texas — A trio of Republican Latinas whom the GOP had expected to beat out Democrats in three southern border districts in Texas fizzled out early Tuesday night, with just one of the three pulling out a win.
The so-called Triple Threat — Monica De La Cruz, Rep. Mayra Flores, and Cassy Garcia — had aimed to be the conservative equivalent of the progressive “Squad,” whose original four members were elected in 2018.
But the three women failed to convince their heavily Hispanic districts that they were the best choice.
De La Cruz was the only successful candidate after Garcia lost to incumbent Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and Flores fell to Rep. Vicente Gonzalez.
“Only in this great country can the granddaughter of a Mexican farm worker go from ironing shirts to get through college to become a member of Congress,” De La Cruz said in a victory speech in McAllen. “In Washington, I will fight for all South Texans — be they black, white Latino, or Asian; Republicans or Democrats; gay or straight. Estamos unidos [we are united] and together, we will form a more perfect union to renew the promise of America for the next generation.”
The loss undermines the Republican Party’s claims that it was shifting Hispanic Democrats to its side with its message of pro-border security, pro-family, and pro-God views.
Flores blamed Republicans and independents for not coming out to support her and ultimately costing the GOP the “red wave” that it had anticipated amid the border crisis and inflation.
“The RED WAVE did not happen. Republicans and Independents stayed home. DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE RESULTS IF YOU DID NOT DO YOUR PART!” Flores wrote in a post to Twitter shortly before midnight local time.
The RED WAVE did not happen. Republicans and Independents stayed home. DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE RESULTS IF YOU DID NOT DO YOUR PART!
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores2022) November 9, 2022
Flores was elected in June. She lost to Gonzalez, who chose to run in the 34th Congressional District on the Gulf Coast after redistricting turned his 15th District more favorable to Republicans. De La Cruz went on to win in a race against newcomer Michelle Vallejo.
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De La Cruz was the only of the three whom former President Donald Trump had endorsed.
