![]() Vela’s retirement was first reported by Axios. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) became the first House Democrat to announce their retirement last week. Democratic presidential candidates carried it with roughly 60 percent of the vote in 20, but Joe Biden received just 52 percent in 2020. Vela’s seat, which spans 300 miles and includes the city of Brownsville and part of McAllen, was solidly Democratic territory before 2020. Texas is on track to gain two or three seats in reapportionment, which will be announced next month. Representative Filemon Vela, a Democrat from Texas, wears a protective mask during a news conference in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Dec. But Republicans are eager to capitalize on the 2020 results - and they will be able to carve up the region in redistricting. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, who represent adjourning districts.īoth Cuellar and Gonzalez believe that Trump’s gains in the valley were a fluke, and voters will revert back to Democrats with Trump off the ballot. Trump’s unexpected success with Latino voters in the Rio Grande Valley and the upcoming Texas redistricting have heightened the pressure on Vela and Reps. He won against that same candidate with 60 percent in 2018. Filemon Vela, who represents Texas’ 34th congressional district, confirmed Thursday that he will resign from office in the coming weeks. He beat Rey Gonzalez, an underfunded challenger, with 55 percent of the vote in 2020. ![]() Vela saw his victory margin shrink in 2020, thanks to Trump’s surge in the region. Filemon Vela Jr., is seen at his offices in Brownsville, Texas, on Aug. “I will continue to focus on maintaining a Democratic House and Senate majority in my capacity as a member of Congress and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, while working diligently for the people I am so grateful to represent,” Vela said in a statement. Vela last week told Border Report that he was stepping down early, but did not specify exactly when. ![]()
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