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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Texas's 34th Congressional District

Texas's 34th congressional district is a district that was created as a result of the 2010 census. The first candidates ran in the 2012 elections; the winner, Democrat Filemon Vela Jr., was seated for the 113th United States Congress. The district is currently represented by Vicente Gonzalez (D-McAllen), who was redistricted there from Texas's 15th congressional district.

Texas's 34th congressional district is composed of the area on the Gulf Coast between Brownsville and Corpus Christi, the latter of which being situated in the neighboring 27th congressional district. It extends westward to include the northeastern portion of McAllen and surrounds, with the rest of the McAllen area being in the 15th. In addition to the City of Brownsville, other major towns in the district include Alice, Beeville, Harlingen, Kingsville and San Benito.

Election results from recent statewide races

Results under current lines (since 2023)

Year Office Result
2014 Senate Alameel 59 - 41%
Governor Davis 62 - 38%
2016 President Clinton 66 - 30%
2018 Senate O’Rourke 65 - 34%
Governor Valdez 57 - 41%
Lieutenant Governor Collier 63 - 35%
Attorney General Nelson 65 - 33%
2020 President Biden 57 - 41%
Senate Hegar 56 - 40%
2022 Governor O’Rourke 56 - 43%
Lieutenant Governor Collier 53 - 44%
Attorney General Garza 57 - 41%

List of members representing the district

Representative Party Term Cong
ress
Electoral history District location
District established January 3, 2013

Filemon Vela Jr.
(Brownsville)
Democratic January 3, 2013 –
March 31, 2022
113th
114th
115th
116th
117th
Elected in 2012.
Re-elected in 2014.
Re-elected in 2016.
Re-elected in 2018.
Re-elected in 2020.
Resigned.
2013–2023

Bee, Cameron, DeWitt, Goliad, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy; parts of Gonzales, Hidalgo, and San Patricio
Vacant March 31, 2022 –
June 21, 2022
117th

Mayra Flores
(McAllen)
Republican June 21, 2022 –
January 3, 2023
Elected to finish Vela's term.
Lost re-election.

Vicente Gonzalez
(McAllen)
Democratic January 3, 2023 –
present
118th Redistricted from the 15th district and re-elected in 2022. 2023–present

Cameron, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy; parts of Hidalgo

Recent election results

2012 Texas's 34th congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Filemon Vela Jr. 89,606 61.89 N/A
Republican Jessica Puente Bradshaw 52,448 36.23 N/A
Libertarian Steven Shanklin 2,724 1.88 N/A
Total votes 144,778 100.00
Democratic win (new seat)
2014 Texas's 34th congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Filemon Vela Jr. (incumbent) 47,503 59.47 –2.42
Republican Larry Smith 30,811 38.57 +2.34
Libertarian Ryan Rowley 1,563 1.96 +0.08
Total votes 79,877 100.00
Democratic hold
2016 Texas's 34th congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Filemon Vela Jr. (incumbent) 104,638 62.67 +3.20
Republican Rey Gonzalez Jr. 62,323 37.33 –1.24
Total votes 166,961 100.00
Democratic hold
2018 Texas's 34th congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Filemon Vela Jr. (incumbent) 85,825 59.99 –2.68
Republican Rey Gonzalez Jr. 57,243 40.01 +2.68
Total votes 143,068 100.00
Democratic hold
2020 Texas's 34th congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Filemon Vela Jr. (incumbent) 111,439 55.44 –4.55
Republican Rey Gonzalez Jr. 84,119 41.85 +1.84
Libertarian Anthony Cristo 3,222 1.60 N/A
Independent Chris Royal 2,235 1.12 N/A
Total votes 201,027 100.00
Democratic hold
2022 Texas's 34th congressional district special election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mayra Flores 14,799 50.91
Democratic Dan Sanchez 12,606 43.37
Democratic Rene Coronado 1,210 4.16
Republican Juana Cantu-Cabrera 454 1.56
Total votes 29,069 100.00
Republican gain from Democratic
2022 Texas's 34th congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Vicente Gonzalez (incumbent) 70,896 52.73
Republican Mayra Flores (incumbent) 59,464 44.23
Independent Chris Royal 4,079 3.03
Total votes 134,439 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican