Texas general election: November 3, 2026

Who is running for U.S. House, Texas District 34 in 2026?

Here are the candidates for U.S. House, Texas District 34 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in U.S. House District 34.

Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.

Side by side

Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.

Issue	Eric FloresRepublican	Vicente GonzalezDemocrat	Chris RoyalLibertarian	Eddie EspinozaGreen
Income taxes	No public position	Raise taxes on the highest earners and corporations to pay for programsVoted · medium	No public position	No public position
National debt	No public position	No public position	Cut most spending but protect Social Security and MedicareQuestionnaire answer · medium	No public position
Social Security	No single answer fits; see evidence	No single answer fits; see evidence	No public position	Expand benefits and fund it with higher taxes on the wealthySaid · medium
Safety net programs	No public position	Expand help for childcare, housing and paid family leaveVoted · medium	No public position	No public position
Healthcare	No public position	Keep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenSaid · high	No public position	Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All)Said · high
Abortion	No public position	Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Voted · high	No public position	No public position
Immigration	No public position	Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadySaid · medium	No public position	No public position
Trade and tariffs	No public position	Free trade with strong labor and environmental standardsSaid · medium	No public position	No public position
Foreign policy	No public position	Stay closely engaged with allies and alliances like NATOSaid · medium	No public position	Cut military spending significantlySaid · high
Energy and climate	No public position	All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickSaid · high	No public position	Phase out fossil fuels as fast as possibleSaid · high
Politicians trading stocks	No public position	No, ban it for members and their spousesVoted · medium	No public position	No public position
Marijuana	No public position	Legalize it and clear past convictionsVoted · medium	No public position	No public position
Redistricting	No public position	Independent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderingVoted · medium	No public position	No public position
Campaign finance	No public position	Overturn Citizens United by amendment and add public financing of campaignsVoted · medium	No public position	No public position
Qualified immunity	No public position	No, end it for police so officers or departments can be sued for rights violationsVoted · medium	No public position	No public position
Mandatory minimums	No public position	Add or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingVoted · high	No public position	No public position
Drug prices	No public position	Keep Medicare negotiation and the current caps about as they areSaid · medium	No public position	No public position
Childcare and pre-K	No public position	Offer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidVoted · medium	No public position	No public position
Paid leave	No public position	Create a national paid family and medical leave program plus paid sick daysVoted · medium	No public position	No public position
Student loans	No public position	No single answer fits; see evidence	No public position	Cancel large amounts of debt and make public college tuition-freeSaid · high
Transgender athletes	No public position	No, and Congress should set a biological sex rule nationwideVoted · medium	No public position	No public position
Aid to Israel	No public position	Keep full aid without new conditionsVoted · medium	No public position	No single answer fits; see evidence
Aid to Ukraine	No public position	Restore strong U.S. aid and add tougher sanctions on RussiaVoted · high	No public position	No public position

Eric Flores

Republican

Private citizen (attorney)

Eric Flores grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, served as an infantry officer in the Texas Army National Guard, and was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Texas¹. He is a litigation partner at a Texas law firm and previously served as a city attorney and municipal judge¹. He won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary with 56.7 percent of the vote; he is not Mayra Flores, who finished second³.

Where they stand

Social Security: No single answer fits; see the evidence below. Said · medium confidence
- His campaign site says he will oppose any effort to cut seniors' earned benefits and fight to ensure they keep pace with the true cost of living. (2026-09) source

No public position found on: Income taxes, National debt, Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Trade and tariffs, Foreign policy, Energy and climate, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Israel, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.

Vicente Gonzalez

Democrat · Incumbent

U.S. Representative, Texas District 34

Vicente Gonzalez is a McAllen attorney who founded his own law firm in 1997 and has served in the U.S. House since the 115th Congress, where he sits on the Financial Services Committee¹³. He is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and the Problem Solvers Caucus⁷. He won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with 62.7 percent of the vote².

Where they stand

Immigration: Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steady Said · medium confidence
- Voted for the American Dream and Promise Act, which offered a path to citizenship for Dreamers and some long-time TPS holders. (2021-03-18) source
- Voted for the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which offered legal status to long-time farmworkers and required E-Verify in agriculture. (2021-03-18) source
- Voted against the Secure the Border Act, which funded border wall construction and tightened asylum rules. (2023-05-11) source
- Voted against the Secure America Act, which provides about $70 billion for immigration enforcement and border security. (2026-06-09) source
- In a July 28, 2026 statement on ICE raids in South Texas, posted on his House website, said 'I am for strong border security, obeying our immigration laws, and deporting criminals' but opposed 'hyperaggressive ICE raids' that detained workers and DACA recipients. (2026-07-28) source
- Introduced the Say No to Warrantless Searches Act, which his House website says would codify Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. (2026-03-16) source
Energy and climate: All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pick Said · high confidence
- Voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, which used tax credits and incentives to speed a shift to cleaner energy. (2022-08-12) source
- Voted for the Lower Energy Costs Act, which expanded oil, gas and mineral production and sped up permits for energy projects. (2023-03-30) source
- His official House website (undated issue page, accessed Sept 2026) says he supports an all of the above energy approach, chairs the Congressional Oil and Gas Caucus, and supports developing wind and solar. (2026-09) source
Healthcare: Keep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is broken Said · high confidence
- Voted against the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, a private-market bill on association health plans and PBM transparency. (2025-12-17) source
- Voted for restoring the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for three years. (2026-01-08) source
- His official House website (undated issue page, accessed Sept 2026) says more needs to be done to lower premiums, expand coverage and improve the Affordable Care Act, which he calls a step in the right direction but not perfect. (2026-09) source
- Backed a discharge petition to force a House vote extending enhanced ACA premium tax credits for three years, according to his House website. (2025-11-24) source
Drug prices: Keep Medicare negotiation and the current caps about as they are Said · medium confidence
- Voted for the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would cap insulin costs at $35 a month for people with Medicare and private insurance. (2022-03-31) source
- His official House website (undated issue page, accessed Sept 2026) highlights his support for the Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare drug price negotiation and caps on insulin and Part D costs. (2026-09) source
Social Security: No single answer fits; see the evidence below. Said · medium confidence
- His official House website (undated issue page, accessed Sept 2026) says he opposes privatizing Social Security or turning Medicare into a voucher system and supports protecting and expanding both programs. (2026-09) source
Trade and tariffs: Free trade with strong labor and environmental standards Said · medium confidence
- His official House website (undated issue page, accessed Sept 2026) says he supports free and fair trade and is committed to enforcing the USMCA, including its labor and intellectual property provisions. (2026-09) source
- His official House website (undated issue page, accessed Sept 2026) says free trade agreements can strengthen international relations. (2026-09) source
Foreign policy: Stay closely engaged with allies and alliances like NATO Said · medium confidence
- His official House website (undated issue page, accessed Sept 2026) says a strong national defense, free and fair trade and diplomacy are key to American leadership, and backs partnerships with allies in Europe, Asia and the Americas. (2026-09) source
Student loans: No single answer fits; see the evidence below. Said · medium confidence
- Voted against overturning the Biden administration's broad student loan debt cancellation. (2023-06-21) source
- Voted against overturning the SAVE income-driven repayment plan. (2023-12-07) source
- His official House website (undated issue page, accessed Sept 2026) says he is a staunch supporter of efforts to reduce student loan debt and make college more affordable. (2026-09) source
Redistricting: Independent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymandering Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the For the People Act, which would require independent commissions to draw congressional maps and ban partisan gerrymandering. (2021-03-03) source
Campaign finance: Overturn Citizens United by amendment and add public financing of campaigns Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the For the People Act, which created small-donor public matching funds, required disclosure of big donors and called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. (2021-03-03) source
Qualified immunity: No, end it for police so officers or departments can be sued for rights violations Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would end qualified immunity for police officers in civil rights lawsuits. (2021-03-03) source
Abortion: Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks) Voted · high confidence
- Voted for the Women's Health Protection Act, which would protect abortion access nationwide before viability and later when a patient's life or health is at risk. (2021-09-24) source
- Voted for the Women's Health Protection Act of 2022, which would protect abortion access nationwide before viability and later when a patient's life or health is at risk. (2022-07-15) source
Safety net programs: Expand help for childcare, housing and paid family leave Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the Build Back Better Act, which expanded aid for childcare, housing and paid family leave. (2021-11-19) source
- Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which added Medicaid work requirements and expanded SNAP work requirements. (2025-07-03) source
Childcare and pre-K: Offer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aid Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the Build Back Better Act, which funded free universal pre-K and expanded childcare aid. (2021-11-19) source
Paid leave: Create a national paid family and medical leave program plus paid sick days Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the Build Back Better Act, which created a national paid family and medical leave program. (2021-11-19) source
Marijuana: Legalize it and clear past convictions Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the MORE Act, which would remove marijuana from federal drug schedules and clear past federal marijuana convictions. (2022-04-01) source
Aid to Ukraine: Restore strong U.S. aid and add tougher sanctions on Russia Voted · high confidence
- Voted for the $40 billion Ukraine aid package in May 2022. (2022-05-10) source
- Voted for the $61 billion Ukraine security supplemental in April 2024. (2024-04-20) source
- Voted for the Ukraine Support Act, which provides military aid and loans to Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia. (2026-06-04) source
Guns: No single answer fits; see the evidence below. Voted · low confidence
- Voted against the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022. (2022-07-29) source
Income taxes: Raise taxes on the highest earners and corporations to pay for programs Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, which set a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a tax on stock buybacks to help pay for energy and health programs. (2022-08-12) source
- Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made the 2017 individual tax cuts permanent at every income level. (2025-07-03) source
E-Verify mandate: No single answer fits; see the evidence below. Voted · low confidence
- Voted against the Secure the Border Act, which would require all employers to use E-Verify. (2023-05-11) source
Mandatory minimums: Add or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl trafficking Voted · high confidence
- Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I and applies mandatory minimum sentences to trafficking them. (2023-05-25) source
- Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I and applies mandatory minimum sentences to trafficking them. (2025-06-12) source
Aid to Israel: Keep full aid without new conditions Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the $26 billion Israel security supplemental with no new conditions on weapons use. (2024-04-20) source
- His official House website (undated issue page, accessed Sept 2026) says he is a strong advocate of U.S. partnerships with Israel and other allies. (2026-09) source
Transgender athletes: No, and Congress should set a biological sex rule nationwide Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a federal rule basing girls' and women's school sports eligibility on sex at birth. (2025-01-14) source
Politicians trading stocks: No, ban it for members and their spouses Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the Stop Insider Trading Act, which bars members of Congress, their spouses and dependents from buying new individual stocks. (2026-07-22) source

No public position found on: National debt, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Judges, Term limits, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.

Chris Royal

Libertarian

Private citizen (retired teacher)

Chris Royal is an Army veteran from Brownsville who has worked as a teacher, lawyer, computer programmer and real estate textbook author; he said in 2024 that he had retired from teaching¹. He ran for the 34th District as an independent in 2022, receiving 3.0 percent of the vote, and is the Libertarian nominee in 2026¹².

Where they stand

National debt: Cut most spending but protect Social Security and Medicare Questionnaire answer · medium confidence
- In a June 2024 Ballotpedia candidate survey, said the solution to inflation is to stop federal spending and that he 'can simply say no to additional spending.' (2024-06-14) source
- In the same survey, said seniors should get the Social Security benefits they are entitled to because they paid into the system. (2024-06-14) source

No public position found on: Income taxes, Social Security, Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Trade and tariffs, Foreign policy, Energy and climate, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Israel, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.

Eddie Espinoza

Green

Private citizen (retired teacher)

Eddie Espinoza is an Army veteran of Desert Storm who taught in Rio Grande Valley public schools for 26 years¹. He was the Green Party nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner in 2024, receiving 2.8 percent of the vote³. He is the Green Party of Texas nominee for the 34th Congressional District⁴.

Where they stand

Healthcare: Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All) Said · high confidence
- His campaign site calls for improving and expanding Medicare for All with no co-pays or premiums, including vision, hearing, dental and prescriptions. (2026-09) source
Foreign policy: Cut military spending significantly Said · high confidence
- His campaign site says to stop wasting money on forever wars, 'end the American Empire, and cut military spending in half.' (2026-09) source
Energy and climate: Phase out fossil fuels as fast as possible Said · high confidence
- His campaign site calls for banning fracking and LNG exports and investing in solar, wind and batteries. (2026-09) source
- His 2024 Railroad Commissioner campaign website, as quoted by Ballotpedia, called for no fracking, no new fossil fuel projects and phasing out current fossil fuel power plants. (2024) source
Student loans: Cancel large amounts of debt and make public college tuition-free Said · high confidence
- His campaign site calls for free college and trade schools and to 'cancel student debt.' (2026-09) source
Social Security: Expand benefits and fund it with higher taxes on the wealthy Said · medium confidence
- His campaign site calls for giving Social Security recipients a raise. (2026-09) source
Aid to Israel: No single answer fits; see the evidence below. Said · medium confidence
- His campaign site supports an arms embargo and conditioning military aid to Israel, and calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. (2026-09) source

No public position found on: Income taxes, National debt, Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Trade and tariffs, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.

Last reviewed 2026-09-27. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.