Harlingen (KRGV) — Vice President JD Vance visited the Rio Grande Valley to campaign for Republican congressional candidate Eric Flores, who is challenging Democratic Congressman Vicente Gonzalez in Texas' 34 congressional district.

The rally drew supporters to Harlingen as Democrats made their own case to Valley voters.

Frank Lozano, a member of the Cameron County Young Republicans, said the visit was meaningful.

"JD Vance coming down to the Valley, it's a big deal for us because it shows that he cares and that our party cares about us and about people here in the Valley. We're not forgotten," Lozano said.

Lozano and fellow member Eddy Bermudez have been spending weeknights knocking on doors to get people engaged ahead of November's midterm elections.

At the rally, Vance made a direct pitch for Flores.

"He's had a chance for a decade in Washington, D.C. and he hasn't done anything with it. So let's send him packing and send a patriot like Eric Flores," Vance said.

Flores made border security part of his message to the crowd.

"This community believes in hard work, strong family and a secure border," Republican candidate for district 34 Eric Flores said.

While Republicans rallied in Harlingen, Gonzalez appeared at a separate event in Brownsville.

"We may not always agree on everything but we can and should come together for good jobs, a stronger economy, a safer nation and opportunities for our community," Democratic Congressman, District 34 Vicente Gonzalez said.

In a statement, Gonzalez said his priorities include pushing back against what he calls hyper aggressive ICE raids that are killing the local economy.

Young Democrats in Hidalgo County also weighed in on issues they say matter to younger voters in The Valley.

"We can't pay for gas anymore, cost of living is going up, groceries are really expensive and even healthcare we're talking about insulin we're talking about diabetes which hits lots of people in the Valley," Hidalgo County Young Democrats member Juliana Garcia said.

Bermudez said he wants people to look at the candidates for themselves before casting their ballots.

"I'm not going to speak for anybody. All I can just say is just look into the person's policies. Forget about the rumors. Do your research," Bermudez said.

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