The recent U.S. presidential election highlighted significant Republican advances in southern Texas, a region historically dominated by Democrats. Along the U.S.-Mexico border, President-elect Donald Trump saw his share of the vote increase by nearly 10 percentage points compared to four years ago, and by about 20 percentage points from his 2016 campaign.
In Cameron County, where the population is roughly 90% Hispanic, Trump secured a victory by over 5 points—a dramatic swing from Democrats’ nearly 10-point advantage in 2020 and over 30 points in 2016. Similarly, Texas's 27th Senate district, which includes parts of the Rio Grande Valley, elected its first Republican state senator in 150 years following redistricting that made the district more competitive.
Republicans’ efforts to court Hispanic voters and address immigration—a top concern for many Americans according to recent polls—have paid off. Nationwide, counties with high Hispanic populations also shifted toward the Republican ticket. GOP strategists, such as Wayne Hamilton, have long worked to expand their influence in the region, recruiting candidates and bolstering local campaigns.
While national Democrats were criticized for neglecting investment in South Texas, Republicans focused on grassroots efforts like door-to-door canvassing. Representative Monica De La Cruz, who flipped a key congressional seat in 2022, emphasized that South Texans appreciated Republican leadership once they experienced it firsthand.
Democratic leaders, including Representative Henry Cuellar, acknowledged the impact of the Biden administration’s delayed border policy reforms and the lack of state party investment in the region, which may have contributed to Republican successes. The Texas Democratic Party, facing internal criticism, announced upcoming leadership changes in response to these challenges.
