The Republican Website That Did What Democrats Didn’t

What a Texas district can teach us about getting it right, and what’s at stake if we don’t

I can’t stop thinking about this, and it’s all Howdy Politics’s fault. 😂

Today, she mentioned that Democrats want to flip Texas’ 15th Congressional District in 2026.

YEEEY. Let’s go.

So naturally, I start digging into the data for this district.

And that’s when I want to SCREAM.

According to DataUSA, 66.3% of households in this district speak Spanish as their primary language.

So you’d think candidates would prioritize Spanish-language communications, right?

RIGHT?!!!!

Well… at least one of them did.

The Republican one.

Go to Monica De La Cruz’s website and the first thing you see at the top, in a big red banner, is “En Español.”

Like, the first thing. You can’t miss it.

Now go to the website for Michelle Vallejo, the Democratic candidate.

Nothing. No Spanish option. Not even at the bottom.

And it breaks my heart because I want us to win. But we can’t keep ignoring the basics.

If Democrats are serious about flipping this district, they can’t wait until 2026 to start. They have to start now.

Here’s how Kat put it:

“You have to start targeting it literally right now. Open an office there immediately, start doing community outreach immediately, start holding events with big names immediately. The GOP invested in this district, you’re going to have to too, and you’re already behind.”

Kat knows Texas. I trust her completely when she says what it takes to win there.

And I bring something different to the table. I focus on breaking down political topics in a way that connects with Latino voters nationwide and drives turnout.

So let me say this loud and clear. You need professional translators and communicators who understand the culture of the district you’re trying to reach.

Kat also told me that Tejano culture is KING in this district.

She also shared something that stuck with me.

This shift didn’t happen out of nowhere. It was the result of real Republican investment in a region that Democrats had taken for granted for too long.

South Texas used to be treated like a “blue wall.” The assumption was that once Hispanics became the majority, the state would just flip on its own.**

But Republicans didn’t sit around waiting for demographics to do the work; they invested.

They opened cultural centers, used them to host events and test messaging in real-time, and shaped national rhetoric based on what resonated locally. These weren’t just party offices. They were message labs.

And once they got what they wanted? They packed up.

Now voters are seeing the real-world impact of Republican policies and many are ready for something better.

Democrats have to act quickly to refill that void.

Not just with candidates, but with community engagement, cultural relevance, and year-round presence.

That means you need people who get that. People who know how to speak to this audience in a way that feels familiar and authentic.

This isn’t about hiring someone who can speak Spanish. It’s about hiring the right person to speak to this community.

Let me give you an example.

Last year, I turned down paid work because someone wanted me to record Spanish radio ads for a heavily Mexican-American district.

I thanked them for wanting to invest in the space, but I told them I wasn’t the right person.

I have a Colombian accent. It wouldn’t resonate.

They didn’t get it… until I asked: “Would you hire Sean Connery to run political ads in Texas?”

That’s when it clicked. This matters.

Texas’ 15th Congressional District went Republican in 2022 for the first time ever.

Monica De La Cruz beat Michelle Vallejo by 8.5 points.
Then in 2024?
Same two candidates. This time, De La Cruz won by 14.2 points.

That should be a wake-up call. But it’s not the end of the story.

Look at what just happened in Florida. When we organize and invest early, we win. Edited to add: We didn’t win in Florida, but we made a significant gain in extremely red districts!

This district is winnable. But having a Hispanic candidate isn’t enough on its own.

Representation is essential, but it has to be backed by real investment in communication, outreach, and cultural connection.

So if you’re in a position to make decisions about strategy, staffing, or messaging…

Start now. Invest now.

Hire people who know the culture, the language, and how to build trust.

And if you’re part of this movement, using your voice, your vote, or your influence to push for better, keep going.

Because our communities deserve to be seen and heard.

**Edited: The original version of this article stated that they hoped the district would turn blue. Updated to say, “The assumption was that once Hispanics became the majority, the state would just flip on its own.”