Republican candidate is rare sight for this Texas county

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas — Just throughout the river from Mexico, close to the southern tip of Texas, Starr County sits as one of many poorest within the state. It’s additionally some of the Democratic.

When was the final time a Republican ran in opposition to you, I requested Starr County Judge Eloy Vera, a Democrat.

Judge Vera is operating on his report for a seventh time period and bragging about reducing the unemployment charge in additional than half, amongst different issues.

Lately, there was plenty of conjecture that Republicans have begun to chip away on the large blue wall in South Texas. That’s one of many issues we wished to ask him at his workplace within the courthouse annex. 

“It did happen,” he stated. “In the [2020] presidential election.”

But was {that a} fluke? A one and executed state of affairs? Or does it symbolize one thing larger underway?

“Yeah, it was just a freak,” Judge Vera defined.

Two years in the past, Donald Trump obtained 47% of the vote in Starr County. It was the best turnout election in county historical past. And it shocked Democrats right here.

“A lot of it was our fault. We got complacent that everyone was Democrat,” Judge Vera admitted, “and we don’t have to do much. But I guess the last election was a real wake-up call.”

Then Maria Yvette Hernandez obtained her property tax invoice.

“We’re becoming more aware of what it means to become a conservative. It’s fiscal responsibility. It’s accountability. I can be dirt poor, but I don’t want to pay high taxes. I want to keep more of my money in my pocket. I don’t care if I’m making five dollars or I’m making a million,” she defined.

Hernandez, 45, is a enterprise proprietor and the primary Republican anybody can bear in mind to run for county choose in Starr County.

It’s one thing so rare {that a} native news web site needed to create a graphic to clarify methods to vote in a two-party main.

“I think we need to look at what we have as resources here,” Hernandez stated. “We’re land rich. We may not be financially rich. But Starr County is land rich. And we are on one of our biggest most natural resources here – the [Rio Grande] river. I think we need to start being more creative and have a little more vision on how we can bring more money and use those resources to our advantage.”

But right here’s why this race in South Texas issues to the remainder of the state. 

If Republicans begin profitable in blue counties alongside the border, that places Democrats even additional away from profitable any statewide workplace. Democrats are attempting to construct a voter base throughout the state. They can’t afford to lose any voters.

It is no shock then, that Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke are holding their one and solely debate in close by Edinburg on Friday evening.

Still, in Starr County, the rise in Republicanism isn’t one thing most individuals can see.

“You know, if you look at their [campaign] signs, none of them say Republican,” Judge Vera stated. “They’re running on the Republican ticket, but they don’t want people to know they’re Republican.”

The incumbent county choose appeared assured in our dialog. 

“If I don’t win this election two-to-one, I’ll be very disappointed,” he added.

In a seventh time period, Judge Vera stated he desires to construct a standalone juvenile heart and renovate the historic courthouse.

Hernandez guarantees to decrease the county’s efficient property tax charge and convey extra transparency to county authorities.

With 5 weeks to go, and little cash, she is aware of it stays an uphill battle.

“I think people are confused about what it means to be a Republican,” she added.

Hernandez admits she is a novice politician navigating individuals who have voted Democratic for many years.

In some methods, what’s occurring in Starr County is additionally a microcosm of what’s occurring statewide – with one facet predicting victory and the opposite predicting change.