MCALLEN, Texas – The likely Republican Party candidate for Congressional District 15 says she will not only pick up the seat from the Democrats but do so by a big margin.
Monica De la Cruz came close to pulling off a surprise victory CD 15 in 2020. Since then the Republican-controlled Legislature in Austin has redrawn the boundary lines to make the district GOP friendly.
“We are coming off the 2020 election, which was very exciting. There is a lot of passionate, hardworking volunteers that worked hard in 2020, and that is coming on to the 2022 election,” said De la Cruz, who is favorite to win the Republican Party primary.
“I think now, because of our hard work in 2020, we are getting the state and national endorsements, including President Donald J. Trump and so this is adding to the excitement and the momentum we already have. And, I have no doubt that we will be able to pull across the line in November 2022.”
De la Cruz gave her interview to the Rio Grande Guardian at a celebration of veterans event held at the Hidalgo County Republican Party headquarters in McAllen.
De la Cruz pointed out that prior to the 2020 election, CD 15 was viewed as a D-Plus 21 district.
“We swung the district 18 points and although we fell short, we only fell short 2.8 percent, which was a little over 6,000 votes. That run made us the most competitive congressional race in the state of Texas and the third most competitive in the nation. And that is why, now, all eyes are on District 15 and on our campaign.”
A byproduct of De la Cruz’s surprise showing has been the decision of incumbent U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez to abandon CD 15. He is now running in neighboring Congressional District 34, which has been made more Democratic.
“We ran the incumbent right out of District 15. He knew that we had the momentum, we had the strength and that people are now paying attention,” De la Cruz said.
“With the 2022 race, what we have added is the financial means to be able to get our voice and our message out to the population. So, now that we are able to do that the Hispanic culture is waking up to see, wow, my values are not Democrat.”
De la Cruz said Hispanic voters in South Texas are paying closer attention to the Republican Party.
“(The voters are saying) the Democrat social agenda does not align with me. My values are about hard work, family, faith and freedom and I am a Republican and you are seeing that with the votes that are coming.”
In the 2020 election De la Cruz was able to double the size of the Republican vote. She said she is encouraged by early voting in the 2022 primary.
“Just this first couple of days, in Hidalgo County, we have doubled the amount of Republican votes. You see the enthusiasm of people and the non-apologetic vote that is coming from people here in the community, who are saying, I’m a Republican, I am standing up for what I believe in, and I am proud of that.”
Asked what the political makeup of CD 15 is, following redistricting, De la Cruz said:
“In the 2020 election, as I mentioned, we fell short two percent. So, that made this district after November 2020 a D-Plus 2 district. Now, with redistricting, it is an R-Plus 3 district. So, it leans more favorably to the Republican side. But, I truly think that what is making the difference is Team Monica, which has been able to work hard and passionately to get our message out and now, having the financial means to be able to get to the masses. So, I believe that not only are we going to win this district in November 2022, we are going to win it by a large percentage.”
Asked about the major endorsements she has received, De la Cruz said:
“I am so proud and humbled to receive the endorsement of Donald J. Trump. That being said, I can tell you we have received endorsements from as high as the president, the National Border Patrol Council, the entire Texas legislative delegation. But, really what means the most to our campaign are the community endorsements from local law enforcement officers, local sheriffs, and local community leaders. Because, at the end of the day those are our voters and those are the voters that are going to push us across the line, not only in the primary but in November as well.”
Quality journalism takes time, effort and…. Money!
Producing quality journalism is not cheap. The coronavirus has resulted in falling revenues across the newsrooms of the United States. However, The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service is committed to producing quality news reporting on the issues that matter to border residents. The support of our members is vital in ensuring our mission gets fulfilled.
Can we count on your support? If so, click HERE. Thank you!
