Incumbent Vicente Gonzalez Jr. (D), Eric Flores (R), Eddie Espinoza (G), and Chris Royal (L) are running in the general election for Texas' 34th Congressional District on Nov. 3.
During mid-decade redistricting, the district was redrawn to one that President Donald Trump (R) would have won in 2024, 54.7%-44.5%, compared to 51.8%-47.3% under the old lines. This makes it one of 23 Democratic-held U.S. House districts up for election in 2026 that Trump won in the 2024 presidential election. As of Sept. 27, election forecasters have rated the district either Toss-up or Lean Democratic. According to a Spectrum News 1 analysis of August 2026 polling, "results suggest that some Hispanic voters might be returning to the Democratic Party after shifting to the GOP in recent elections."
According to reporting from Courier Texas' ShaVonne Herndon, perceived effects of Trump's policies and issues of affordability could decide the election. Flores could benefit from both redistricting and Trump's endorsement. Gonzalez says Trump's immigration and economic policies harm constituents and create affordability issues in the district. Herndon says, "Texas 34 is one of the closest House races in the country and one of the clearest places to watch whether the politics of loyalty can outrun the economics of affordability."
Gonzalez has represented the district since 2023. He previously represented Texas' 15th Congressional District from 2017 to 2023. Before entering politics, Gonzalez was an attorney in private practice. Gonzalez says, "I'm taking on drug and insurance companies to lower your costs, requiring Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, and capping the cost of insulin at $35 a month. And I'm fighting to end the reckless tariffs that are driving up the costs of groceries and everything else."
Flores is a lawyer and veteran of the U.S. Army and Texas Army National Guard. He also served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas. A campaign ad says, "Eric Flores led operations on our southern border as an Army infantry captain, took on cartels as a federal prosecutor, and Eric never backs down from a fight. Eric will secure the border, defend law enforcement, and fight alongside President Trump like he always has."
As of June 30, Gonzalez had raised $3.77 million and Flores had raised $2.87 million.
The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 120th Congress. All 435 U.S. House districts are up for election.
As of Sept. 27, Republicans had a 219-214 majority with two vacancies in the U.S. House. To read more about the U.S. House elections taking place this year, click here.
