Former Congresswoman Mayra Flores (R) has officially announced her campaign to reclaim Texas’ 34th Congressional District in 2026.
In a statement posted to social media, Flores highlighted momentum in South Texas, citing strong leadership from President Donald Trump (R), Governor Greg Abbott (R), and Republicans in the Texas Legislature.
“Over the past six years, we have worked tirelessly to turn South Texas red,” Flores wrote. “This election cycle will be the moment we finally achieve victory at the congressional level.”
Flores announced that she is switching back to Texas’ 34th Congressional District, which is currently held by Vicente Gonzalez.
The move comes just months after Flores launched a campaign in the neighboring 28th District against Rep. Henry Cuellar (D). Shortly after the Texas Legislature approved a new congressional map that boosts Republican chances in the 34th.
Flores, who briefly represented the district in 2022 after a special election win, said she feels called to continue the mission.
“I have unfinished business and together, by God’s grace, we will finish it,” she added, pledging to fight for the district and defeat Democratic incumbent Rep. Vicente Gonzalez.
The campaign reports a commanding 33-point lead in early internal polling, a figure Flores attributes to years of organizing and voter outreach across the region.
“We’re leading by 33 points thanks to 6 years of hard work—but we can’t take anything for granted,” she said in a fundraising appeal.
Flores is entering the race with a deep bench of Republican support.
Her campaign has received endorsements from several prominent Republican lawmakers, including Texas Representatives Ronny Jackson, Tony Gonzales, Beth Van Duyne, Wesley Hunt, Pat Fallon, Randy Weber, Nate Schatzline, and Brian Harrison. She also has the backing of Florida Rep. Kat Cammack, Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani, Georgia Rep. Richard McCormick, and Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.
Former prosecutor Eric Flores (R), has also announced his candidacy for Texas’ 34th Congressional District.
Flores who worked as an attorney during the Biden Administration, not related to former Congresswoman Mayra Flores, is the son of Kino Flores (R), a former state representative who was convicted in 2010 on six felony counts related to financial disclosure violations.
Sources tell Texas Politics that Eric Flores appears to have launched his campaign shortly after learning that Mayra Flores was strongly considering a return to the district. Her re-entry into the race could set the stage for a competitive Republican primary.
Flores' 2026 campaign is positioned to be one of the most closely watched congressional races in the state.
