Voters in the Rio Grande Valley will participate in crucial runoff elections for Texas House District 41 on Tuesday, a district that experienced a significant shift towards Republican support following President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. The seat became available after the retirement of Rep. Bobby Guerra, a Democrat who had served the area since 2013. In the previous election, Trump garnered 50.3% of the vote in this district, marking a 7-point swing to the right compared to his performance in 2020.
This trend of Republican gains has been evident across the Texas-Mexico border, where the GOP has made concerted efforts to engage Latino voters. As a result, Trump won 14 out of the 18 counties situated within 20 miles of the border, including some that had not supported a Republican presidential candidate in over a century.
However, the sustainability of these gains remains uncertain. Polls indicate that Trump’s stringent immigration policies and economic issues, including inflation, may have eroded support among Latinos both in Texas and nationwide. As Republicans prepare for potential challenges in the midterm elections, and Democrats aim to leverage anti-Trump sentiment, HD-41 is emerging as a key battleground.
Julio Salinas, a 26-year-old former legislative aide, is positioning himself as a progressive candidate appealing to Democratic voters. He emphasizes his commitment to combating the establishment and advocating for affordable living, improved infrastructure, and enhanced healthcare access for residents of the district. His platform includes proposals to increase teacher salaries by $15,000 and to limit prescription drug costs.
“I have a fighting track record of standing up to MAGA Republicans,” Salinas stated during a recent campaign walk in Edinburgh. “And winning.”
On the other hand, his primary rival, McAllen City Commissioner Victor “Seby” Haddad, argues that his seven years of experience in local government and connections with small businesses give him an advantage in a district that encompasses the urban core of the Valley, including McAllen.
Haddad has also outspent Salinas in the lead-up to the runoff, having allocated $164,000 since late February compared to Salinas’ $76,000 during the same timeframe. While Salinas has garnered support from various donors, his most significant backing comes from gun control advocate David Hogg’s Leaders We Deserve, which contributed $30,000 to his campaign.
Haddad benefits from Guerra’s endorsement, while Salinas has received backing from prominent figures such as U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and state Representative Christina Morales, with whom he previously worked.
This contest has evolved into a confrontation between a traditional moderate Democrat and a progressive challenger. Salinas has criticized Haddad for his history of voting in Republican primaries and for his business affiliations, claiming he represents grassroots interests, while Haddad is aligned with financial institutions.
The tension escalated last week when Salinas condemned Haddad for a campaign mailer featuring a photo of Haddad with Morales, suggesting her support in the struggle for working families. Morales had endorsed Salinas months earlier, prior to assuming her role as chair of the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee. Salinas called for an apology from Haddad, prompting Morales to release a video reaffirming her support for him.
“If they wish to make that request, they can make it directly,” Haddad responded, dismissing the call for an apology.
This situation has placed Morales in a challenging position, as she noted, “That race is getting very intense, and I was trying to stay out of it as much as I could.”
In an interview, Haddad acknowledged his Republican voting history but framed it as a strength, stating, “I’m proud to say I am a moderate. I’m a South Texas Democrat.”
Meanwhile, two Republican candidates are also competing for the chance to appear on the November ballot. Activist Gary Groves is up against criminal defense attorney Sergio Sanchez, who has previously participated in Democratic primaries. Neither candidate has responded to requests for interviews.
