For months now, political analysts have predicted that Republican candidates will overwhelmingly score victories in the November 2022 midterms, perhaps at a historic rate.
According to The Daily Wire, there was a sneak preview of just how well Republicans could do in November in a special election held in Texas, where a Republican candidate flipped a crucial seat from deep blue to bright red.
For the first time in 150 years, Republican Mayra Flores managed to turn Texas’ 34th Congressional District red, making her the first GOP representative of the area’s constituents since 1870.
The seat was vacated earlier this year by Rep. Filemon Vela (D), who left Congress to pursue a lobbying career.
The Hispanic shift
Aside from Flores managing to do what recently seemed impossible, one of the primary drivers of her historic victory is the fact that Hispanic voters are overwhelmingly turning to Republicans to solve America’s problems, and abandoning the Democratic Party.
🚨BREAKING🚨 In her victory tonight, Republican @MayraFlores2022 flipped 85% Hispanic Cameron County in Texas.
Hillary Clinton won Cameron by 33 points in 2016 and Biden won it by 13.
The Hispanic shift to the GOP is the most important story in American politics today. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AKkoNAO0yd
— Giancarlo Sopo (@GiancarloSopo) June 15, 2022
One of the counties in the district, Cameron County, is roughly 85% Hispanic, and Flores managed to win it. Compare that to Hillary Clinton, who won the county in 2016 by an astonishing 33 points.
Border crisis
One of the key frustrations among residents in the 34th District is the ongoing immigration crisis at the border, which has completely overwhelmed the area, and drained it of much-needed resources.
Hispanic voters who became legal citizens through the proper channel, along with those who are simply sick and tired of President Joe Biden’s lack of action on the issue, made their voices heard by electing Flores.
MSNBC columnist Eric Michael Garcia sounded the alarm for his side, tweeting, “There is a political earthquake happening in Latino politics in South Texas and there is a reason I have been saying it will be voting like West Virginia”
He added: “This should be a five alarm fire for Democrats.”
If Flores’ win is as significant as it appears, Dems are in for much more trouble in November than anyone could have predicted.