Blum: RioPlex region deserves leaders who stand for our shared values of dignity and opportunity

Michael J. Blum, a veteran real estate broker with NAI Rio Grande Valley, says he agrees with state Rep. Terry Canales that a congressional redistricting hearing be held in the Valley.

According to Canales, D-Edinburg, and other Texas House members from the Valley, Congressional Districts 28 and 34 could be targeted by President Trump as he seeks to “pick up” five additional Texas congressional seats for Republicans. 

No new congressional maps have been filed in the current special legislative session but it is assumed that Trump could secure his wish by stretching Districts 28 and 34 further north so that the seats are no longer anchored in the Valley.

“Politics in Austin intended to take away our representative is entirely politically motivated,” Blum said in an email to the Rio Grande Guardian. “A few days ago I wrote on a Facebook post in response to Representative Terry Canales comments. I bring this to your attention. If you share my concerns…please share this with your readers. The future of The Rio Plex may be at stake.”

On Facebook, Blum wrote: “The Rio Plex region deserves leaders who not only come from our communities, but who stand for our shared values — dignity, opportunity, respect for working families, and a commitment to justice and progress. Representation isn’t just about where someone’s from — it’s about who they fight for. Our voices matter, and the people of this region deserve leaders who listen, understand, and act in our interest — not in service of outside agendas.”

In his entry on Facebook, Canales wrote:

“As your State Representative, I’ve joined with members of the Valley delegation in formally requesting that the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting hold a hearing right here in the Rio Grande Valley. 

“With nearly 1.5 million Texans calling this region home, our voices matter, and we deserve the opportunity to be heard in the process that will shape our congressional representation for the near future. 

“President Trump recently announced plans to “pick up five seats” in Texas through mid-decade redistricting, with credible reports indicating that South Texas Congressional Districts 28 and 34 are likely to be the next targets. 

“If the Committee is holding hearings in places such as Houston and Arlington, which are also being targeted, then the Valley should be included as well. 

“We’ve already spoken with our local government leaders, who are ready to help host. We’re prepared, we’re engaged, and we’re not backing down. Perhaps, if they are going to redraw our South Texas congressional districts, they should come to our region to hear our community’s perspective.”

Canales is one of six members of the Valley’s Texas House delegation requesting a congressional hearing in the region. The others are Armando Martinez of Weslaco, Sergio Muñoz of Mission, Oscar Longoria of La Joya, R.D. ‘Bobby’ Guerra of McAllen, and Erin Elizabeth Gámez of Brownsville. All are Democrats.

The six sent this letter to the chairman of the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting, Rep. Cody Vasut, R-Angleton.

Here is their letter:

Dear Chairman, Vasut,

Thank you for the committee’s and your willingness to travel beyond the Texas Capitol to hear directly from Texans regarding the congressional redistricting process. 

Engaging with constituents in their own communities is essential to ensuring a fair and transparent redistricting effort. 

As members of the Valley delegation in the Texas House of Representatives, we cordially invite the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting to hold a field hearing in the Rio Grande Valley. 

As you are aware, President Trump recently stated his desire for Republicans to “pick up five seats in Texas through redistricting. 

Credible reports have also identified two congressional districts in South Texas, Districts 28 and 34, as targets in the President’s efforts. Given the committee’s willingness to hold hearings in other regions of the state, reportedly being targeted by the White House, including Houston and the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we believe it is equally important for the committee to include the Rio Grande Valley, which is home to nearly 1.5 million Texans in its field hearings schedule.

We have communicated with local governments and educational institutions in our region and many have expressed a willingness to host such a hearing. Our delegation, along with the communities we represent, stand ready to assist the committee in coordinating and facilitating a productive and accessible hearing in the Rio Grande Valley. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your dedication to an inclusive redistricting process. 

Sincerely, 

Reps. Canales, Martinez, Muñoz, Longoria, Guerra, and Gámez.

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