Mayra Flores Fights to Reclaim Rio Grande Valley House Seat as Trump Backs Rival

The former Republican congresswoman faces a tough primary battle against a Trump-endorsed newcomer in a closely watched Texas district.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Mayra Flores, the first Republican in over 150 years to represent Texas' Rio Grande Valley in Congress, is fighting to reclaim the seat she lost in subsequent races. However, she is struggling to raise money and facing a challenge from Eric Flores, a lawyer and political newcomer endorsed by former President Donald Trump. The Flores v. Flores competition has become a tense and personal confrontation between two young Hispanic conservatives, with the winner set to be among the most closely watched Republicans in the state.

Why it matters

The race in Texas' Rio Grande Valley is seen as a crucial battleground in the fight for control of the House of Representatives. The region, which is nearly 90% Hispanic and predominantly working-class, has shifted rightward in recent years, with Trump making gains and Mayra Flores winning a special election in 2022. A Republican victory in this district could solidify the party's hold on a political battleground and suggest that it's adapting to the country's shifting demographics, while a loss could show that the party's recent successes in the region were a fluke.

The details

Mayra Flores, 40, is fighting for a political comeback after winning a special election in 2022 to become the first Republican in more than 150 years to represent the Rio Grande Valley in Congress. However, she lost two subsequent races and is now struggling to raise money. Meanwhile, Trump has endorsed rival candidate Eric Flores, a 34-year-old lawyer and political newcomer who is not related to Mayra Flores despite the same last name. The Flores v. Flores competition has become a tense and personal confrontation between two young Hispanic conservatives who exemplify their community's rightward shift.

  • Mayra Flores won a special election in 2022.
  • Mayra Flores lost two subsequent races after her 2022 special election win.
  • The March 3 primary will be the first election held using the new district boundaries redrawn by Texas Republicans last year.

The players

Mayra Flores

A 40-year-old former Republican congresswoman who is fighting to reclaim the seat she lost in subsequent races after winning a special election in 2022 to become the first Republican in more than 150 years to represent the Rio Grande Valley in Congress.

Eric Flores

A 34-year-old lawyer and political newcomer who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump and is challenging Mayra Flores in the Republican primary.

Vicente Gonzalez

A Democratic congressman who has long been a top target for Republicans in the Rio Grande Valley and is expected to face the winner of the Republican primary in the general election.

Donald Trump

The former president who has endorsed Eric Flores, Mayra Flores' rival in the Republican primary, in a surprise move that has shaken up 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

“I know she's got experience because she did it before. But overall, I think he's got more life experience.”

— Doug Wells, Grocery store clerk

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

— Margaret Cervantes, Retiree

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

— Mayra Flores

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This race in the Rio Grande Valley will be a crucial battleground in the fight for control of the House of Representatives, with the winner set to be among the most closely watched Republicans in the state. The outcome could have significant implications for the GOP's ability to adapt to the country's shifting demographics and solidify its hold on a political battleground.