MCALLEN, Texas — Three Texas Latinas who had hoped to become the Republican version of Democrats’ “Squad” came out of the election splintered after a surprising turn of events that killed their chances of heading to Washington together.
The trio lost two races in which candidates had claimed they were shifting Hispanic Democrats to their side through their platform of pro-border security, pro-family, and pro-God.
Of the three South Texas candidates, Monica De La Cruz won, Cassy Garcia lost and gracefully bowed out, and Rep. Mayra Flores lost and went on an all-caps tirade aimed at her constituents.
Looking ahead Wednesday morning, De La Cruz said her long-standing message on border security and legal immigration reform will continue into her first term in Congress. Her priority in January will be boosting resources for the Border Patrol.
It’s time “to support our brave men and women at the border. They’re missing resources that are critical to their success — things as simple as night vision goggles,” De La Cruz told Fox News host Harris Faulkner. “They don’t even have enough night vision goggles for the men who are protecting our country at night. That is simply unacceptable. So I want to give them the resources they need to protect all Americans.”
MIDTERM RESULTS: ‘TRIPLE THREAT’ OF GOP LATINAS IN TEXAS FIZZLES
De La Cruz was the only successful candidate after Garcia lost to incumbent Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and Flores fell to Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D). She was also the only one of the three that former President Donald Trump had endorsed.
“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 on Tuesday evening. She also congratulated Democrat Michelle Vallejo for running a strong campaign.
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.
HENRY CUELLAR DELETES STRING OF POST-VICTORY TWEETS ATTACKING LATINA CASSY GARCIA
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.
Garcia gracefully conceded to Cuellar on Tuesday evening. In a post to Twitter before midnight, Garcia thanked her supporters and said, “Unfortunately, we came up short tonight.”
“I congratulate @CuellarCampaign on its win,” Garcia added.
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But Cuellar did not reciprocate the gesture and instead attacked Garcia for her Hispanic heritage.
In the since-deleted tweet, Cuellar wrote that Garcia would “have plenty of free time to audition for Narcos in the near future.”
“It may require you learning Spanish. Rosetta Stone is on standby!” Cuellar continued.
Whoa, Henry Cuellar just deleted this post-victory attack tweet on Cassy Garcia. His latest statement (from 28 minutes ago) now wishes her the best… this after telling her she should audition for Netflix cartel show Narcos and that she should buy Rosetta Stone to learn Spanish. pic.twitter.com/7B0OXx9txs
— Anna Giaritelli (@Anna_Giaritelli) November 9, 2022
