Four candidates are on the ballot for Texas' 34th Congressional District on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in a race for a U.S. House seat that includes Harlingen and much of South Texas.

Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez faces Republican Eric Flores, Libertarian Chris Royal and Green Party candidate Eddie Espinoza, according to the Texas Secretary of State's certified ballot.

The contest follows a 2025 redistricting effort that changed the district's boundaries and its political makeup.

What changed in the district

Texas lawmakers redrew the state's congressional map in 2025 as Republicans sought to increase their representation in the U.S. House, according to The Texas Tribune.

The changes removed some Democratic-leaning areas near McAllen and added territory around Corpus Christi that has favored Republicans.

The district includes Cameron, Kenedy, Kleberg, Willacy and Nueces counties. Its cities include Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito and Kingsville.

Under the new boundaries, the district would have supported President Donald Trump by approximately 10 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, according to the Tribune's analysis.

The candidates

Gonzalez, a Democrat from McAllen, is seeking a sixth term in Congress. He previously represented the 15th District before winning election to the 34th District in 2022.

According to his official congressional biography, Gonzalez is serving his fifth term and sits on the House Financial Services Committee.

Gonzalez has emphasized protecting Social Security and Medicare, improving access to health care and securing federal investments for South Texas communities.

Flores, a Republican, is a former assistant U.S. attorney and Texas Army National Guard veteran. He defeated former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, who is not related to him, in the Republican primary.

Eric Flores has emphasized infrastructure investment, lower costs for households and businesses, border security and support for veterans.

Flores has received endorsements from Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, according to the Tribune.

Libertarian Chris Royal and Green Party candidate Eddie Espinoza are also competing in the general election. Both appear on the state's certified ballot alongside Gonzalez and Flores.

National stakes

The District 34 election is one of several Texas congressional contests taking place under the state's revised boundaries.

Republicans entered the election cycle holding a narrow majority in the U.S. House. Both major parties are competing for seats that could affect control of the chamber.

The race has drawn attention from national political figures and organizations, including Republican leaders supporting Flores and Democratic organizations backing Gonzalez.

The winner will represent a district extending from the Rio Grande Valley north to the Corpus Christi area.

The Texas Secretary of State's election results website provides official statewide and congressional election reporting.