Mayra Flores fights to reclaim Rio Grande Valley congressional seat as Trump backs rival

The former Republican congresswoman faces a tough primary challenge from a Trump-endorsed newcomer in a closely watched Texas race.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 10:18pm

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Mayra Flores, the former Republican congresswoman who won a surprise victory in 2022 to become the first GOP representative from Texas' Rio Grande Valley in over 150 years, is now fighting to reclaim her seat as former President Donald Trump has endorsed a rival candidate, Eric Flores, in the upcoming primary. The Flores v. Flores matchup has become a tense and personal confrontation between two young Hispanic conservatives, with Mayra Flores struggling to raise money and facing an uphill battle despite her previous historic win.

Why it matters

This race in the Rio Grande Valley is seen as a key battleground that could help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The region has seen a rightward shift in recent years, with Trump making gains there even as he narrowly lost the area and the presidency in 2020. A Republican victory here would solidify the party's hold on this political battleground and suggest the GOP is adapting to the country's shifting demographics, while a loss could show the party's recent successes were a fluke.

The details

Mayra Flores won a surprise special election victory in 2022 to become the first Republican in over 150 years to represent the Rio Grande Valley in Congress. However, she lost two subsequent races to Democrat Vicente Gonzalez. Now, as she competes in the March 3 primary, she's struggling to raise money and facing a challenge from Eric Flores, a lawyer and political newcomer who has been endorsed by Trump. The Flores v. Flores matchup has become a tense and personal confrontation between two young Hispanic conservatives, with Mayra Flores dismissing Trump's endorsement of her rival as a decision made by his advisers and attacking Eric Flores' prosecutorial experience as working for the 'Biden DOJ' that prosecuted Trump.

  • Mayra Flores won a special election in 2022 to become the first Republican in over 150 years to represent the Rio Grande Valley in Congress.
  • Mayra Flores lost two subsequent races to Democrat Vicente Gonzalez.
  • The March 3 primary will be the first elections held using the new district boundaries redrawn by Texas Republicans to favor the GOP.

The players

Mayra Flores

The former Republican congresswoman who won a surprise victory in 2022 to become the first GOP representative from Texas' Rio Grande Valley in over 150 years.

Eric Flores

A lawyer and political newcomer who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary race against Mayra Flores.

Vicente Gonzalez

The Democratic incumbent congressman who Mayra Flores and Eric Flores are competing to defeat.

Donald Trump

The former president who has endorsed Eric Flores in the Republican primary, upending the race.

Kino Flores

The father of Eric Flores, who was a Democratic state lawmaker convicted of ethics crimes.

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What they’re saying

“Don't let anyone take that from us.”

— Mayra Flores

“I'm going to take that same tenacity that I served in uniform on the border, the same tenancy fighting the cartels and the human smugglers in the federal courtroom – that's what I want to take to D.C.”

— Eric Flores

“Yeah, she had a short stint in Congress, but how about the remaining portion of her life? Fact is, she's been a career candidate for almost six years, paying herself with campaign funds.”

— Eric Flores

“For one, she's strong. And I haven't heard her talk nasty about opponents.”

— Margaret Cervantes, Mayra Flores supporter

“I did it when it was hard. I ran so men like him could walk.”

— Mayra Flores

What’s next

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the Rio Grande Valley region on Friday, with a stop in Corpus Christi, as the high-stakes Republican primary race between Mayra Flores and Eric Flores continues.

The takeaway

This race in the Rio Grande Valley has become a closely watched battle between two young Hispanic conservatives, with former President Trump's endorsement of a political newcomer challenging the Republican who previously made history by winning the seat. The outcome could have significant implications for the GOP's efforts to solidify its hold on this political battleground and adapt to the country's shifting demographics.