AUSTIN, Texas — Mike Johnson’s South Texas campaign visit with Mayra Flores and Monica De La Cruz is nothing more than political showmanship from a speaker who has consistently failed to address the real needs of border communities. This visit is a thinly veiled attempt to distract from their failures and stir up support for candidates who, like Johnson, are more concerned with advancing MAGA extremism than helping the communities they claim to represent

“Instead of focusing on meaningful immigration reform, border security, job creation, or public safety–Johnson and his allies prioritize divisive rhetoric and fearmongering to score points with their MAGA base, all while neglecting the real challenges faced by Texans living along the border,” said Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa.

“As I have stated before, I welcome all Republican efforts to spend their time, energy, and resources on a losing battle,” said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. “South Texans know exactly who has brought over seven billion dollars in funding for education, infrastructure, and healthcare into our region and delivered for them time and time again — it’s certainly not my opponent.”

“By agreeing to campaign with Mike Johnson, Monica De La Cruz is showing us once again she would rather cater to the most extreme members of her party instead of finding real solutions for South Texans,” said Democratic nominee for TX- 15 Michelle Vallejo. “When a bipartisan Border agreement was on the table, instead of reaching across the aisle both Monica and Mike chose to turn their backs on Texans. As the next congresswoman from Texas-15, I am more committed than ever to protecting social security and medicare, finding real solutions for our border, and restoring the fundamental freedoms that so many Texas women had taken away.”

REMINDER

• ABC News: Without seeing all border deal details, Speaker Mike Johnson says it is a 'nonstarter'

• “House Republicans have been coming out against the border deal, despite not yet seeing the bill's full text. This comes as former President Donald Trump has encouraged Republicans to reject the deal.”

• “Trump [...] said that ‘a border bill is not necessary,’ blasting the ongoing negotiations.

• In April 2024, Monica De La Cruz condemned the House Republican-controlled Rules Committee for refusing to hear the Bipartisan Border Bill.

• NOTUS: Republicans’ Pull With Latinos Is Hitting Its Limits In South Texas

• “After spending millions of dollars in South Texas, Republicans have very little to show for it — and it’s unclear whether they understand why.”

• San Antonio Express-News: GOP closes community outreach centers in South Texas [...]

• “The 2022 election came [...] with few gains for Republicans. They picked up one McAllen-based congressional seat, in part because redistricting made the seat redder, but Republicans largely underperformed the lofty expectations they’d set for themselves.”

• “The RNC has closed many of the Hispanic community centers it opened ahead of the 2022 election.” 

• POLITICO: Playbook: The first October surprise of 2024

• “A new Democratic poll from House Majority PAC found a tight race for GOP Rep. MONICA DE LA CRUZ in South Texas. She led Democrat MICHELLE VALLEJO, 48 to 45 percent, in a mid-September poll of 400 likely voters with a margin of error of 4.9 percent. This seat got better for Republicans after the 2022 redistricting, but Democrats believe this has the potential to be a sleeper race.”

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