Former prosecutor challenges Rep. Vicente Gonzalez for District 34

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A former prosecutor from a well-known family announced Monday that he’s running for congress.

Eric Flores plans to run against U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, for Congressional District 34.

“My values are rooted in faith. They’re rooted in family. And they’re rooted in country. That’s not the Democratic Party today,” Flores said. “And that’s why I’m running as a Republican.”

District 34 is a top target for the GOP.

Mayra Flores — who isn’t related to Eric — won the seat three years ago during a special election.

Gonzalez, however, defeated her in 2022 and 2024.

“He’s seeking his fifth term in Congress,” Eric Flores said. “And I know politics is about popularity, but it should really be about the scoreboard: Has he been a champion for South Texas? And the answer is no. He’s not championed one piece of legislation putting South Texas first.”

Eric Daniel Flores, 33, of Mission is part of a family with deep roots in Hidalgo County and a history of public service.

His father, Ismael “Kino” Flores, served in the Texas Legislature. His grandfather, Gumaro “Maro” Flores, was the first mayor of Sullivan City. And his other grandfather, Jorge G. Garcia, was mayor of Palmview for nearly 20 years.

Flores attended Mission High School, joined the Texas Army National Guard and graduated from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

After college, Flores returned to Hidalgo County and started practicing law.

He represented the city of Palmview and the La Joya Independent School District, among other clients, and became a municipal judge in Alton.

Flores also continued to serve in the Texas Army National Guard, which assisted U.S. Customs and Border Protection with an influx of migrants.

“I saw those broken policies come down from Washington,” Flores said. “And they don’t work.”

In 2021, he joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and became a federal prosecutor in McAllen.

Flores sent drug smugglers, fraudsters and sex offenders to prison. He also handled countless immigration cases.

In January, he left the U.S. Attorney’s Office and decided to run for congress.

“Looking at that, and having witnessed it firsthand, that’s what really gave me the motivation to go to D.C.,” Flores said.

Flores filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on July 16 and started campaigning on Monday.

“In congress, I’ll stand with President Trump. Fight. And deliver for South Texas every single day,” Flores said in a campaign video released on Monday morning.

The video mentioned his grandfathers and his grandmother, Irene M. Garcia, who served as president of the La Joya school board.

It didn’t mention his father, Kino, who served in the Texas Legislature for more than a decade.

Kino played hardball — both in the Valley and Austin.

Supporters said Kino delivered for South Texas. His detractors, including many Democrats in Austin, considered Kino corrupt.

In 2010, a jury found Kino guilty on charges of perjury and tampering with governmental records for submitting financial reports that didn’t list all his income. Prosecutors who handled the case said Kino was known as “Mr. Ten Percent” because he demanded a percentage of public contracts.

Kino decided not to run for re-election.

“He made a mistake,” Flores said. “We believe in the justice system.”

At the time, Flores was in middle school.

If the 15-year-old conviction becomes an issue during the campaign, Flores said he would tell voters how much he appreciated his father’s love and support.

“I am a completely different person from my father. Had nothing to do with it,” Flores said. “And absolutely love him.”

During the campaign, Flores said he plans to focus on the issues that matter in South Texas, including services for veterans, safeguarding benefits for seniors and securing the border.

“Saying ‘border security’ or ‘proven leadership’ isn’t a punchline,” Flores said. “It’s something that I have lived.”

Flores may not be the only Republican running for District 34.

At least four other GOP candidates filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission during the past three months.

“If Mayra comes back she will be mopping the floor with him and every other Republican primary candidate,” Gonzalez said in a text message. “So Jr. needs to get in line before he gets to a general election.”

The Texas Legislature also plans to draw new congressional districts, which could provide Republicans with an edge.

“If our district doesn’t move too much we’ll kick his a-- or anyone else’s just as we have the 19 candidates before,” Gonzalez said in a text message. “This will be just another name to add to the list of losers over the years.”

The primary is scheduled for March 3. Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026.