The Latest Breaking News from Vicente Gonzalez

HARLINGEN, Texas — After a Texas Young Republicans banquet last weekend, Albert Alaniz watched as Sen. Ted Cruz rallied the party faithful on behalf of three GOP Latina candidates running for Congress in the Rio Grande Valley, a Democratic stronghold through most of the state’s history.

The seasoned South Texas Democrat is running his most aggressive campaign operation since his first run for Congress.

In two of the three races, Democrats are hitting back as outside Republican groups try to turn the region red.

Candidates like Beto O’Rourke and Mike Collier say they want to work toward a cleaner energy future but aren’t looking to eliminate the energy jobs that boost Texas’ economy.

Flores’ campaign previously said former district director Aron Peña had resigned after multiple allegations of sexual harassment. Peña has denied any wrongdoing and said the accusations were politically motivated.

Flores’ district director, Aron Peña, was accused of touching and kissing an intern without her consent. He denies any wrongdoing.

Among voters near the Texas-Mexico border, immigration and border security are a leading cause for flipping from Democrat to Republican.

The CQ Roll Call newsroom tracks campaigns nationwide, sharing the best stories, with some extras, in the At the Races newsletter.

Progressive Democrat Michelle Vallejo and conservative Republican Monica De La Cruz face off in a South Texas district long represented by moderate Democrats.

Monica De La Cruz runs on a campaign against runaway spending and “socialist” policies

Monica De La Cruz runs on a campaign against runaway spending and “socialist” policies, blasting Democratic measures to expand federal assistance amid the pandemic.