OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
A Democratic congressman has made an alarming accusation that has led critics to label him an election denier.
At an event last week with House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) falsely claimed that the GOP “stole” a House seat from a fellow Dem earlier this year in a special election.
Specifically, Gonzalez made his accusation in regards to a victory by Rep. Mayra Flores (R-Texas) over Rep. Dan Sanchez (D-Texas), in which she flipped a seat red that had been in Democratic hands for 150 years. Her victory in the border district was seen as a major win for the GOP as the region has suffered mass illegal immigration and drug smuggling during President Joe Biden’s term.
Flores faces off against Gonzalez in November.
“Our democracy is at stake,” Gonzalez claimed. “There’s millions and millions of dollars from outside our region and outside our state that are coming here to try to steal our elections and take away your value and take away the process that we rely on, which is elections.
“And we don’t have the resources to compete with these outside resources. We can’t compete with the Koch brothers, we can’t compete with big oil, and big tobacco, and the NRA. They can outspend us, but they can’t outwork us,” he continued, reiterating typical Democrat Party talking points.
“They stole that last election,” Gonzalez falsely claimed. “They spent $3 million to our $250,000, they campaigned for two years, and they still only won by less than one percent. So, the way to turn this around is getting out and vote.”
Democrat Vicente Gonzalez falsely claims his election was "stolen" from him.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) September 10, 2022
Fox News reported that Schiff also spoke at the event and praised his fellow Democrat despite his election denialism.
“The work you’re doing to support our Democratic institutions, the infrastructure of our elections, the rule of law, the rule of law applies to everyone equally could not be more important,” Schiff said. “It’s been such a pleasure to meet so many of you and thank you for all you’re doing to support my wonderful colleague.”
The Daily Wire noted that a blogger Gonzales paid some $1,200 to make racist and vile remarks regarding Flores. He later claimed he does not “pay for political attacks.”
I’m old enough to remember when this was called insurrection.
— Krieg S. Herren (@JosephEStierwal) September 10, 2022
Arrest that insurrectionist.
— Elephino (@mriendea) September 10, 2022
Flores’ victory was seen as a microcosm for what is to come in the November midterms as Biden’s popularity has tanked along with the economy and border security.
The Daily Wire adds:
Flores beat Democrat Dan Sanchez in the special election for Texas’ 34th Congressional District. The seat was previously held by Rep. Filemon Vela (D) who stepped down earlier this year to become a lobbyist as all signs pointed to a brutal upcoming midterm election season for Democrats.
Flores is now “the first GOP candidate to represent that area of the Rio Grande Valley since 1870,” the Houston Chronicle reported, adding that she is now “the first congresswoman born in Mexico.”
The region has been devastated by Democrat President Joe Biden’s border crisis, something that has turned off many Hispanic voters that typically have voted for Democrats in the past.
“In her victory tonight, Republican @MayraFlores2022 flipped 85% Hispanic Cameron County in Texas. Hillary Clinton won Cameron by 33 points in 2016 and Biden won it by 13. The Hispanic shift to the GOP is the most important story in American politics today,” PR specialist Giancarlo Sopo noted.
“Republicans have been eager to flip the seat as part of their new offensive in South Texas after Biden’s underperformance throughout the predominantly Hispanic region in the 2020 election. Flores and her allies spent over $1 million on TV ads in the special election,” the Texas Tribune reported.
“The dynamic put Democrats into an unusual underdog position in a region of the state they have long dominated. Vastly outspent by Flores, Sanchez repeatedly compared the special election to a David vs. Goliath fight, with himself playing David,” the outlet continued.
