A Democrat congressman in South Texas engaged in election denialism during an event late this week with House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA), falsely claiming that Republicans “stole” a U.S. House seat from a fellow Democrat earlier this year during a special election.
Rep. Mayra Flores (R-TX) beat former Rep. Dan Sanchez (D-TX) in a special election in Texas’ 34th Congressional District, a major breakthrough for Republicans in the region.
Flores now has to face off against Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) in the upcoming midterms due to redistricting in the state.
Gonzalez falsely claimed late this week during an event at Shotz bar in Brownsville, Texas, that Republicans “stole” the election.
“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.”
“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, who serves on the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot, also spoke to at the event and spoke positively of Gonzalez.
“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.”
Gonzalez posted photos of himself with Schiff on Friday, calling him a “friend” and thanking him for visiting the Rio Grande Valley.
Thank you to my friend, @RepAdamSchiff, for visiting the #RGV this week. It's important for those in Washington to know and appreciate what South Texans have to offer and I was thrilled to show him around. #TX34 #VicenteConLaGente pic.twitter.com/u9oMD4M0ej
— Vicente Gonzalez (@VoteVicente) September 9, 2022
Gonzalez paid a blogger who made racist and vile remarks about Flores $1,200 for “advertising services.”
He responded to the controversy by claiming that he does not “pay for political attacks.”