McAllen, Texas Flips Red As GOP Mayor Candidate Wins

For the first time since 1972, a Republican mayor will serve the major border city of McAllen, Texas. In a run-off election, last Saturday, city commissioner Javier Villalobos won the seat.

Villalobos, a former Hidalgo County GOP chair, will succeed Democrat Jim Darling as mayor. He trounced fellow city commissioner Veronica Vela Whitacre in the run-off election.

The margin was reportedly around 200 votes. The new mayor, upon receiving confirmation he won the seat, thanked his voters. “Let me start by thanking the voters, my team, my family [and] everyone who helped run this campaign. Thank you, McAllen for trusting [and] believing in me. I promise to not let you down,” Villalobos wrote on Facebook. 

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McAllen, Texas

Villalobos won narrowly in the 85% Hispanic border city. Hidalgo County, where McAllen lies, is historically a Democratic voting county. During the last elections, the county voted for President Joe Biden. Hidalgo County went to President Biden by roughly 17 points during the 2020 election.

As a result, Republicans celebrated Villalobos' win. Texas Governor Greg Abbott posted a congratulatory message on Facebook. “Javier Villalobos is a proven leader who cares deeply about the people of the Rio Grande Valley.

Congratulations on becoming the next Mayor of McAllen!” he wrote. The governor previously appointed the new mayor to the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board in 2018. 

Respect From Conservatives Across The US

The GOP’s win in a Blue county turned many heads. Former President Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign adviser Steve Cortes also tweeted his greetings. “Amazing news! McAllen, Texas is a major border town of 140,000 people. 85% Hispanic — and just elected a Republican mayor.

The macro realignment accelerates in South Texas, and elsewhere, as Hispanics rally to America First,” he posted. 

“Holy cow… Republicans just flipped the mayorship of McAllen, Texas. This was not expected and shows Hispanics in South Texas may have shifted with the GOP even post Trump,” author Ryan Girdusky posted on Twitter. 

Meanwhile, RNC spokesman Nathan Brand also went to  Twitter. “BIG win for Republicans tonight in a border community. Biden’s border crisis has real-world ramifications for communities across the country, especially in cities like McAllen,” 

Border Crisis City Votes Republican

McAllen, Texas, is right in the middle of the ongoing border crisis. After Biden removed many of the policies implemented by Trump, a surge of immigrants flooded border towns.

As a result of many failed policies that saw large increases in illegal border crossings, Democrats are now feeling the heat from voters.   

Outgoing Democratic mayor Darling told USA Today that McAllen received the brunt of the migrant influx. Its geographic location and its infrastructure network proved attractive to migrants who want to travel further inland.

As a result of the border crisis, Representative Filemon Vela (D-Texas), said she won’t seek reelection in 2022. She also sounded the alarm for Democrats in South Texas. “Democrats have a big problem in Texas,” Vela said in January. She added that for the first time in generations, Democrats are losing South Texas counties with large Hispanic populations.

Watch the Actual News video reporting that Republicans Win three Mayoral Elections in Major cities last night:

Do you agree that Democrats are losing South Texas counties and cities due to the border crisis? Also, do you welcome this development?

Let us know what you think of the GOP gaining lost ground. Share your comments in the comments section below.