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 · medium |
| Abortion | No public position | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Voted · medium | 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 · medium |
| Energy and climate | No public position | All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickSaid · medium | No public position | Phase out fossil fuels as fast as possibleSaid · medium |
| 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 · medium | 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 · medium |
| 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 · medium | No public position | No public position |
Eric Flores
RepublicanPrivate 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 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Social SecurityNo single answer fitsmedium
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 · IncumbentU.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 24 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
HealthcareKeep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenhigh
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
ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium
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 climateAll of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickmedium
Said · medium 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
Drug pricesKeep Medicare negotiation and the current caps about as they aremedium
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
Trade and tariffsFree trade with strong labor and environmental standardsmedium
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 policyStay closely engaged with allies and alliances like NATOmedium
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
RedistrictingIndependent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderingmedium
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 financeOverturn Citizens United by amendment and add public financing of campaignsmedium
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 immunityNo, end it for police so officers or departments can be sued for rights violationsmedium
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
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)medium
Voted · medium 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 programsExpand help for childcare, housing and paid family leavemedium
Childcare and pre-KOffer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidmedium
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 leaveCreate a national paid family and medical leave program plus paid sick daysmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted for the Build Back Better Act, which created a national paid family and medical leave program. (2021-11-19) source
MarijuanaLegalize it and clear past convictionsmedium
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 UkraineRestore strong U.S. aid and add tougher sanctions on Russiamedium
Voted · medium 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
Income taxesRaise taxes on the highest earners and corporations to pay for programsmedium
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
Mandatory minimumsAdd or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingmedium
Voted · medium 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 IsraelKeep full aid without new conditionsmedium
Voted · medium confidenceTransgender athletesNo, and Congress should set a biological sex rule nationwidemedium
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 stocksNo, ban it for members and their spousesmedium
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
Social SecurityNo single answer fitsmedium
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
Student loansNo single answer fitsmedium
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
GunsNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted against the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022. (2022-07-29) source
E-Verify mandateNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted against the Secure the Border Act, which would require all employers to use E-Verify. (2023-05-11) 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
LibertarianPrivate 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 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
National debtCut most spending but protect Social Security and Medicaremedium
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
GreenPrivate 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 6 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
HealthcareGovernment-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All)medium
Said · medium 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 policyCut military spending significantlymedium
Said · medium 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 climatePhase out fossil fuels as fast as possiblemedium
Said · medium 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 loansCancel large amounts of debt and make public college tuition-freemedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site calls for free college and trade schools and to 'cancel student debt.' (2026-09) source
Social SecurityExpand benefits and fund it with higher taxes on the wealthymedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site calls for giving Social Security recipients a raise. (2026-09) source
Aid to IsraelNo single answer fitsmedium
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 2026-10-19. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.