‘Paycheck to paycheck’: Texas border voters shed parties amid economic woes | US Midterm Elections 2026 News
Jesus Robles, Mechanical Bull Seller, Reflects on Political Discontent in Rio Grande Valley
Rio Grande Valley, Texas – Jesus Robles operates a business selling mechanical bulls, a staple attraction in bars and dance halls that hark back to the region’s rodeo traditions. These machines serve as a reminder of the Rio Grande Valley’s rich history, where Texan and Mexican ranchero cultures have blended over generations.
However, Robles faces challenges that bring him frustration, particularly regarding his 2024 vote for former President Donald Trump. He anticipated an economic uplift that would benefit his company but now claims to have seen a significant decrease in business.
“I have lost tons of business due to our president right now,” Robles said, attributing his struggles to Trump’s tariffs and escalating fuel prices. “The price of freight has doubled. Some of my clients have been affected by immigration raids.”
The shifting political landscape in the Rio Grande Valley, commonly viewed as a Democratic stronghold, has gained attention as voters like Robles shifted their allegiances in the last election. Trump’s victories in 14 of the 18 counties along the U.S.-Mexico border have sparked Republican hopes of a broader shift in the area.
Robles expressed that this change illustrates the necessity for political parties to acknowledge the concerns of voters in the region. “We focus on other countries. We focus on taxes,” he remarked regarding the political discourse. “But at the end of the day, I don’t feel none of these governments really help us, the people. We work hard, the middle-class people work hard, and we’re the ones that get screwed the most.”
Amid these developments, the Rio Grande Valley has turned into a pivotal contest in the current election season. Republicans are targeting two Democratic-held congressional seats while aiming to retain a third currently occupied by Republican Monica de la Cruz. Meanwhile, Democrats are leveraging Trump’s low approval ratings among Latino voters, who comprise about 40 percent of Texas’s population, as they seek to win the first statewide office for the party since 1994. Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is challenging Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, while gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa aims to unseat incumbent Republican Greg Abbott.
Political analysts note that the region is increasingly at odds with both major parties. Alvaro Corral, an assistant professor of politics at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, pointed out that many voters feel disconnected from the Democratic Party, which once drew support through its advocacy for working-class interests.
Some voters have turned their attention to Trump’s economic populism, yet have become disillusioned by his administration’s immigration policies and failure to address their economic anxieties. Natalie, a 40-year-old educator who preferred not to disclose her last name, expressed regret over her vote for Trump, citing immigration and economic issues as key factors in her decision.
“I did vote for Trump,” she admitted, but added that witnessing the consequences of policies like family separation and rising fuel costs led her to wish for leaders who demonstrate empathy.
Gabriel Ruiz, a local voter, highlighted economic issues, particularly the steep rise in housing prices, which can range from $400,000 to $500,000 in the area. He emphasized that voters are increasingly considering a wider array of issues beyond party affiliation.
“It’s always going to be about the economy, job growth, being able to keep jobs here, and for the American people to flourish on their own and be able to afford housing, healthcare,” Ruiz said.
Voter Engagement and Economic Struggles
Michael Mireles, director of civil engagement at La Union Del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), a local organization focused on increasing Latino voter turnout, stated that the 2024 election highlighted shortcomings in the Democratic Party’s outreach efforts. Approximately 40 percent of registered voters in the region participated in the last election.
“Democrats in the last cycle were not trying to reach new voters,” Mireles remarked. “This is a huge mistake because the work that needs to happen is with the people who have not been activated politically.”
The Rio Grande Valley has one of the highest poverty rates in Texas, hovering around 21 percent, which is twice the national average. Additionally, as of 2023, approximately 37 percent of residents do not have health insurance. The area also has the highest concentration of “colonias,” informal settlements with limited infrastructure.
LUPE actively engages residents in these neighborhoods about voting and civic participation. Angeles Arguelles, a resident of a colonia in Donna, Texas, shared her struggles with healthcare access and expressed her disillusionment with politics, having never voted despite being a U.S. citizen.
“It just feels corrupt,” she said. “I just keep to myself and my family.”
In Edinburg, another colonia resident, 52-year-old Mario Hernandez, described a shift toward greater political engagement in his community. Though he does not identify strongly with either party, he voted for Democrats, driven by concern for neighbors without health insurance and the financial struggles faced by many residents.
“A lot of elderly can’t survive on their income,” he said. “Most of us live paycheck to paycheck here.”
