# GOP predicts red wave in Texas blue stronghold > Republican candidate Eric Flores says James Talarico's flip-flops on controversial statements prove Democrats have no record to run on. - Title: GOP predicts red wave in Texas blue stronghold · Fox News - Summary: Republican candidate Eric Flores says James Talarico's flip-flops on controversial statements prove Democrats have no record to run on. South Texas, long a… - Keywords: eric flores, james talarico, texas 34th congressional district, south texas, democratic senate nominee, republican congressional candidate, gender surgery for minors, transgender athletes, vicente gonzalez, 2024 election, inflation, cost of living - Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/prominent-dems-fatal-error-prompts-republican-predict-red-tidal-wave-blue-stronghold - Author: Peter Pinedo - Published: 2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: eric flores, james talarico, texas 34th congressional district, south texas, democratic senate nominee, republican congressional candidate, gender surgery for minors, transgender athletes, vicente gonzalez, 2024 election, inflation, cost of living ## GOP candidate predicts red wave in Texas Republican Eric Flores, running in Texas' 34th Congressional District, is predicting a "red tidal wave" in South Texas, traditionally a Democratic stronghold. ## Flores targets Talarico's controversial flip-flops Flores, an Army veteran and former federal prosecutor, called out Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico for walking back controversial statements about God being "nonbinary" and claims about six sexes. ## Talarico defends his controversial comments In a Fox News interview, Talarico said his "God is non-binary" comment was meant to be provocative and that he was expressing a theological concept, not a controversial statement. > I was being provocative with that statement. I get that. ## Flores rejects Talarico's explanation Flores shot back that Talarico's statements were made with intention and reveal who he truly is, not just provocative rhetoric. > Those aren't provocative statements; those were statements that were made with intention. ## Trump won the district in 2024 President Donald Trump won Texas' 34th Congressional District in 2024, a heavily Hispanic area that has long been a Democratic stronghold. ## Democrats' advantage narrowing in the district Republicans have narrowed Democrats' advantage in the district over several election cycles, with the seat currently held by Rep. Vicente Gonzalez. ## Flores frames it as contrast, not contract Flores argues this is a "contrast election" between common sense and what he calls communism, with Democrats voting 80 to 85 percent of the time with AOC. > It's common sense, which is the Republican Party, against communism and fake and the wrong type of Democrats. ## Voters focused on pocketbook issues Flores says South Texas voters are asking the questions the district deserves to hear, with concerns centered on inflation and cost of living. ## Gonzalez fires back at Flores Rep. Vicente Gonzalez called Flores a "rubber-stamp intellectual lightweight" and accused him of supporting policies that raise costs for South Texans while relying on Trump endorsements. > Eric Flores is a rubber-stamp intellectual lightweight that can't think for himself. ## Talarico supports banning gender surgery for minors Talarico told Fox News he would vote to ban gender surgery for minors as a U.S. senator, though he opposed a 2023 Texas bill he said was overly broad. > Absolutely. ## Talarico opposes trans athletes in women's sports Talarico said he opposes transgender athletes competing in women's sports if it endangers safety or fairness, citing his background as a public school teacher. > I oppose trans athletes playing in girls' sports if it endangers safety or fairness. ## Talarico touts bipartisan legislative record Comparing himself to Republican opponent Ken Paxton, Talarico highlighted passing 60 bipartisan bills to lower costs and boost the economy. > I brought Democrats and Republicans together to pass 60 bipartisan bills that lower people's costs. ## Key takeaway South Texas, long a Democratic stronghold, is becoming competitive as GOP candidates capitalize on voter concerns about inflation and what they frame as extreme Democratic positions.