District TX-34 primaries are underway

Citizens in Texas’ 34th Congressional District will vote for a candidate to represent them in Washington, D.C. as early voting is underway.

The primary elections will take place on March 3, with early voting available now through Friday. According to the Hidalgo County Elections Department website, an early voting polling location is available in the Student Academic Center lounge on the Edinburg campus and in the Student Union Salón Gardenia on the Brownsville campus.

Democrat

Vicente Gonzalez is running for reelection and is campaigning on what his website describes as strengthening middle-class families through federal investment in education, healthcare and economic opportunity.

According to his campaign website, Gonzalez supports fully funding universal pre-kindergarten and Head Start programs to improve early childhood literacy and long-term academic success. He also advocates for policies that would allow students to graduate from college debt-free, expanding Pell Grants and other federal aid programs. Gonzalez is also in support of growing UTRGV’s medical and engineering programs to create a stronger regional workforce.

“The United States carries more student loans than the entire rest of the world combined,” he said. “We should find avenues for people to graduate from college or workforce training … without being overburdened with debt. We can forgive people’s debt as long as they finish whatever program they’re in. … It’s not an expense; it’s an investment in America’s future.”

On healthcare, Gonzalez aims to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act, lower prescription drug prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies and expand Medicaid coverage in Texas. His website also emphasizes protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits from privatization or cuts.

Gonzalez supports what his campaign calls “compassionate immigration reform,” including a pathway to earned citizenship for undocumented immigrants, permanent protections for dreamers under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and updated visa systems to meet workforce demands while maintaining border security.

Candidate Etienne Rosas is running on a progressive platform centered on what he describes as “economic justice for working families.” Rosas’ website argues that wealth inequality is the root cause of many social challenges and calls for higher taxes on the rich and large corporations to fund expanded public programs.

He supports a universal single-payer healthcare system, arguing on his website that healthcare should be treated as a human right.

“My top priorities right now are Medicare for all,” Rosas said. “We’re already paying for a universal system. We’re just not getting the benefits. Those are going to a corporate class.”

On immigration, Rosas calls for abolishing ICE, reinforcing sanctuary city protections and creating broader pathways to citizenship. His platform frames border communities as culturally rich and economically interconnected rather than militarized zones. Environmentally, he supports a Green New Deal-style approach that would invest heavily in renewable energy infrastructure, climate-resilience projects and job training programs tied to clean energy. 

“We’re running in the opposite direction by allowing people like Elon Musk and [Liquefied Natural Gas] companies to take over much of our economic systems,” Rosas said. “The profits of the future should be conditioned by our collective prosperity.”

His website also proposes shifting portions of public safety funding toward mental health professionals and social workers.

Republican

Candidate Gregory Scott Kunkle Jr.’s campaign focuses heavily on water infrastructure. According to his campaign website, Kunkle supports desalination projects to supplement regional water supply, enhanced drainage systems to mitigate flooding and federal funding for hurricane preparedness. He also advocates holding Mexico accountable for water treaty obligations affecting the Rio Grande Valley.

“Water is the number one issue facing South Texas,” Kunkle said. “We’re having a great winter right now, but we’re just one drought away from people and municipalities asking, ‘Where will we get water for the future?’”

He said water scarcity poses the most immediate long-term threat to the region’s economic stability, particularly agriculture. His website also states support for finishing the border wall, strengthening immigration enforcement and aligning with President Donald Trump’s policy priorities.

Candidate Keith Allen describes himself as a Christian conservative and ordained minister. His campaign emphasizes reducing the national debt through spending cuts, implementing congressional term limits and returning greater authority to states under a limited-government framework.

Allen supports a merit-based immigration system, felony penalties for illegal border crossings and increased border enforcement resources. 

“Our immigration process should be based on the labor needs and the skill needs of the United States of America,” he said. “That truly is an America‑first policy agenda, if you will.”

On social policy, his website calls for a permanent ban on gender-affirming medical procedures for minors, expanded Second Amendment protections and school-choice programs. He also supports policies he said will defend religious liberty in public institutions.

Candidate Mayra Flores centers her campaign on border enforcement, energy independence and parental rights. According to her campaign website, Flores supports completing physical barriers along the southern border, increasing funding for Border Patrol agents and implementing stricter asylum standards to deter illegal crossings.

Her platform also promotes expanding domestic oil and gas production to lower energy costs and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. On education, Flores supports school choice initiatives, including charter schools and education savings accounts, and backs a Parents Bill of Rights that would increase parental oversight of curriculum decisions. Her website also states her commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare for seniors.

As of press time Friday, Flores was unavailable for comment.

Candidate Luis Buentello frames his campaign around “faith, family and freedom.” His website advocates finishing the border wall, strengthening law enforcement and opposing federal overreach. He describes himself as pro-life and supports restricting access to abortion nationwide. Economically, Buentello backs deregulation and tax policies designed to encourage small business growth and domestic manufacturing.

As of press time Friday, Buentello was unavailable for comment.

Candidate Eric Flores emphasizes strong border enforcement, law enforcement support and alignment with Trump-era immigration policies. His campaign supports completing the border wall, expanding energy production, defending gun rights and increasing support services for veterans. Flores’ website also highlights economic nationalism and reducing federal regulations on businesses.

As of press time Friday, Flores was unavailable for comment.

Third-party

Candidate Eddie Espinoza, running as a Green Party candidate, highlights his background as a U.S. Army servicemember and former teacher. His campaign centers on environmental protection, expanded public education funding and grassroots political reform. In an interview with The Rider on Feb. 16, Espinoza said he endorses Rosas in his democratic race.

Candidate Chris Royal, representing the Libertarian Party, served in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 1990. Royal has worked in multiple fields, including teaching, law, real estate, computer programming and restaurant management. No detailed campaign platform has been publicly released.

As of press time Friday, Royal was unavailable for comment.

For the full list of polling locations, visit Cameron County elections website, Hidalgo County website and Willacy County website.

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