Republicans gain ground in South Texas flipping key border counties in election shift

Republicans made significant gains in South Texas, flipping traditionally Democratic counties along the U.S.-Mexico border. For the first time in a century, Starr County voted for a Republican presidential candidate, with Trump winning by 16 percentage points. Democrats faced challenges as Biden's support in Hidalgo County dropped compared to 2016. Republican candidates invested heavily to appeal to Hispanic and working-class voters, who expressed dissatisfaction with Democratic policies, particularly on immigration and the economy. In local races, Republican Monica De La Cruz won decisively, while Democratic incumbents narrowly retained their seats. Voter sentiment shifted, with many Hispanic voters citing inflation and immigration as key issues influencing their choices.