The Democratic Party stronghold in South Texas has been broken. After more than a century of one-party representation, members of both major political parties will serve the Rio GrandeValley in both Congress and the state legislature.
The question now will be where the new officials’ allegiances will lie, and whether members of the two parties will be able, or willing, to work together to address the needs of this region.
Republican Monica De La Cruz-Hernandez is the new U.S. representative for House District 15, which includes much of Hidalgo, Brooks and Jim Hogg counties and extends north beyond New Braunfels, and Janie Lopez was elected to represent Texas House District 37, at the eastern end of the Valley. Ryan Guillen, whose district straddles the Valley’s southern districts, was reelected; however, the former Democrat switched parties last year.
De La Cruz was one of the darlings of the national Republican Party that continues to reject Democratic victories in 2020. She was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who mandate for absolute loyalty is legendary. Trump acolyte Gov. Greg Abbott lobbied for Lopez on several trips to the Valley. Many people surely think it’s fair to ask if they will take their marching orders from their political patrons, or from the people of South Texas — both those who voted for them and those who didn’t. Will they toe the party line even on issues that don’t help South Texas or that its residents oppose, or are they strong enough to defy party officials when necessary?
After all, officials, once elected, are expected to serve all of their constituents, regardless of their political affiliation or personal preferences. And many will argue that the needs of an area with so much poverty and so many people who can benefit from public services might clash with national stances taken by the GOP. Can these officials stand up to the possible demands of party officials that might not be in the Valley’s interests? Do those national party leaders recognize that such clashes can occur, and will they endure such variances without punishing their Valley representatives?
Moreover, it’s no secret that regional needs are best met when their officials present a united front, whether in Austin or Washington. Can both Democrat and Republican elected officials from the Valley work together, using the strength of their numbers, to advocate for the needs of this area?
In the end it’s important that our elected officials, of both parties, recognize that their primary obligation is to the voters who elected them and to the constituents they serve. It’s unreasonable to assume that they will ignore the positions of their respective parties or the core personal beliefs that might have inspired them to align with one party over another. However, despite hard-core rhetoric from both sides, the political process still is based primarily on debate and compromise.
Does the Valley’s new mixed bag of elected officials recognize this, and work together in the best interests of the region?
Only time will tell.
