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Letter to the Editor 

After historical flip, newcomer Elon Musk, CEO of Space X, announced his first time voting Republican.

Local Latina is Now SPI's New Congress Woman

The Brief on Texas Politics and Policy 

Adapted with Permission by the Texas Tribune by Allyson Waller | Texas Tribune

 

Republican Mayra Flores prevailed Tuesday in a special election for an open congressional seat in South Texas representing SPI, marking a major breakthrough for Republicans eager to blaze new inroads in the historically blue region including the island and Space X. 

 

She beat Dan Sanchez, the leading Democrat, outright in the closely watched race and will be the first Mexican-born congresswoman. On Tuesday night, Flores most notably carried Cameron County, the most populous county in the district and a longtime Democratic stronghold along the Mexican border.

 

She defeated Sanchez there by about a percentage point after Biden carried the county by 13 points in 2020. She will get to serve only until January, but Republicans heralded her win as a shot of momentum in their new South Texas offensive.

 

With all precincts reporting Tuesday night, Flores had 50.98% of the vote and Sanchez had 43.33%. There were two other, lesser-known candidates — Democrat Rene Coronado and Republican Juana “Janie” Cantu-Cabrera — in the race.

 

Sanchez is a Harlingen lawyer and former Cameron County commissioner, while Flores, a respiratory therapist, is the Republican nominee for the seat in November.

 

Speaking a little after 9:30 p.m., Flores declared victory and said her campaign “took no one for granted.”

 

“For over 100 years, we have been taken for granted,” she said at her election night party in San Benito. “I will show you what real representation looks like. I will represent all people.”

 

The special election was called to finish the term of former U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, who resigned in March to work for the lobbying firm Akin Gump.

 

The special election was unique in that it was held under the previous lines of the 34th District, which President Joe Biden won by only 4 percentage points. But redistricting made the district more friendly to Democrats in November, when the Democratic nominee is U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen.

 

Republicans have been eager to flip the seat as part of their new offensive in South Texas after Biden’s underperformance throughout the predominantly Hispanic region in the 2020 election. Flores and her allies spent over $1 million on TV ads in the special election, while national Democrats largely stayed away, arguing it was not worth it to save a seat that will be up again in November — and under new, more favorable boundaries.

 

Flores campaigned hard on her story as the wife of a U.S. Border Patrol agent and as a Mexican immigrant whose parents brought her to the United States as a young child. She mostly ignored Sanchez but took a sharp tone against Washington, D.C., Democrats in general. In one of her TV ads, she said the Rio Grande Valley is “under attack” at the border and promised not to let the “compadrismo” — cronyism — “in Washington ruin our communities.”

 

Flores had the backing of top Texas Republicans including Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, while Sanchez’s biggest supporters among elected officials were Gonzalez and Vela. Both Flores and Sanchez were endorsed by their respective state party chairs and vice chairs.

 

But Flores had virtually all the advantages throughout the special election, especially when it came to fundraising. On the only major campaign finance report of the special election, she reported $752,000 in contributions, compared to $46,000 for Sanchez.

 

National GOP groups were jubilant about Flores’ win Tuesday night, especially as the push to retake the House majority in November begins on South Padre Island.

Island Eats: The Rocotto Grill

Story and Photos: by Jim Gaughran, Island Matters food and drink reporter

 

The Rocotto Grill is located next to the Padre South Hotel on Gulf Blvd. and Beach Access 1.  It serves Peruvian and Japanese fusion from an extensive menu.  The manager, Luis Rodriguez, explains their intent and focus is to bring a new concept of Peruvian, Japanese, Cuban, Mexican, and Caribbean flavored-dishes to the South Padre Island community and visitors to experience and enjoy, along with ocean and beach-front views.

 

Rocotto opened approximately 6 months ago, post-COVID, and it has welcomed an increasing number of customers thanks to word of mouth about their unique dishes.  Luis hopes that more people will come and allow them an opportunity to share their multi-cultural and flavorful foods.

 

I visited Rocotto with my wife and island friends, who hadn’t eaten at Rocotto’s before.  We chose Rocotto’s because we wanted to try a new restaurant and its advertised fusion cuisine.  Upon entering the restaurant, we were impressed with the newly remodeled-look and colorful Caribbean décor.  The first thing that caught my eye is the beautiful view of the Gulf through large windows that keep the comfortably cool air in and bugs out.  There is a full-service bar to the left and several nicely-spaced tables throughout the restaurant, all with wonderful views of the Gulf.

 

We did not call ahead or make reservations, but were immediately seated when we arrived shortly after 6pm.  The menu is as advertised and extensive with the variety of drinks, appetizers, with entrees combining Peruvian and Japanese cultures.  Luis was our waiter, bartender, and General Manager, so after ordering Margaritas and Palomas, we ordered a Japanese California sushi role appetizer before making our dinner selections. 

 

Although, it did not appear that they were fully staffed, Luis and another waiter were very efficient in serving us.  He even took some time to answer our questions and provided dish recommendations, while more customers arrived.  Luis was very thorough and ensured that we had his full attention and service.

I ordered one of the popular dishes called “Lomo Salteado,” a Peruvian sliced beef dish with fresh cut peppers and onions, in a clear gravy marinade.  It is served with Japanese white rice and French fries.  One suggestion would be to replace the fries with black beans and a side salad.  Still, the presentation and variety of flavors were enjoyable to a picky eater like me.  

Lomo Salteado

Others at my table had the “Deviled Shrimp,” cooked in a spicy red sauce with Japanese white rice and a side salad; the “Chafa Shrimp,” served in a bowl with shrimp, rice, egg and fresh green scallions; and the “Ropa Vieja,” shredded brisket, salsa, black beans, avocado, and plantains.  Each dish was warm, filling, and flavored with a variety of spices.

Deviled Shrimp

Chafa Shrimp

Ropa Vieja

We ended dinner with “Flan” and “Arroz con Leche” desserts.  The Flan was deliciously caramelized, but the Arroz con Leche was not too appealing, as it tasted like the milk ingredient was spoiled.  We mentioned it to Luis, and he explained that the Peruvian version has a distinct but unfamiliar spice.  We appreciated his explanation and mentioned that perhaps they need to add the spice to the menu description, so it does not surprise other customers.

 

Overall, the group decided that the Rocotto Grill is a clean and spacious restaurant with great food, atmosphere, gulf views, and customer service.  We will return to try other dishes on the menu and invite others to experience this new restaurant, too.  Their happy hour on select drinks, wines, and beers is from 4-7pm and they have daily food specials. 

Flan

Arroz con Leche

 
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