Monica De La Cruz Explained

Monica De La Cruz
State:Texas
Term Start:January 3, 2023
Predecessor:Vicente Gonzalez (redistricting)
Birth Date:11 November 1974
Birth Place:Brownsville, Texas, U.S.
Party:Republican
Education:University of Texas, San Antonio (BBA)
Children:2

Monica De La Cruz (born November 11, 1974)[1] is an American politician and insurance agent from the state of Texas. She has represented in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2023.

Early life and career

De La Cruz graduated from James Pace Early College High School in Brownsville, Texas, and the University of Texas at San Antonio, studying marketing.[2] She later attended the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City, studying Spanish. She interned for Turner Entertainment before working for Cartoon Network Latin America.[3] Before being elected to the U.S. Congress, she was an insurance agent and business owner.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020

In 2020, De La Cruz ran in, and lost to incumbent Democrat Vicente Gonzalez by three percentage points.[4]

2022

Endorsed by Donald Trump and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, De La Cruz ran again in the 15th district in 2022, while Gonzalez was redistricted to . De La Cruz defeated Democratic nominee Michelle Vallejo in the general election, earning 80,869 votes to Vallejo's 67,913.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] When she took office in 2023, she became only the eighth person to represent this district since its creation in 1903, and the first Republican. By a matter of a few months, she was the second Republican elected from a Rio Grande Valley county in over a century; the first, Mayra Flores, was elected to a partial term in a neighboring district in 2022. De la Cruz is the first Republican elected to a full term after it was redrawn.[10]

2024

De La Cruz ran for re-election in 2024 and faced Michelle Vallejo in the general election.[11] De La Cruz was re-elected by 14 points.[12]

Tenure

In March 2024, De La Cruz delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address in Spanish.[13]

In June 2024, Politico reported De La Cruz earmarked $2.4 million in taxpayer funds to Angels of Love Advocacy Project, an organization founded by an associate who was recently arrested for allegedly stealing $500,000 from Ponzi scheme victims.[14]

Caucus memberships

Committee assignment

Political positions

De La Cruz voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[17] [18]

Personal life

De La Cruz is an Episcopalian.[19]

De La Cruz has been married and divorced twice and has two children. De La Cruz's split from her second husband in 2021, Juan Gabriel Hernandez, resulted in an acrimonious divorce.[20] [21]

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: October 2021 . Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) Research Report .
  2. Web site: Incoming Rep. Monica De La Cruz - R Texas, 15th, Member-elect - Biography LegiStorm . www.legistorm.com . 22 December 2022 . en.
  3. Web site: Vote Smart | Facts For All. Vote Smart.
  4. Web site: De La Cruz: I do not care which Democrat I face in CD 15 general election. Steve. Taylor. June 5, 2022. Rio Grande Guardian.
  5. Web site: In Texas' most competitive congressional race, neither candidate is running toward the center. Matthew. Choi. August 24, 2022. The Texas Tribune.
  6. Web site: Latina candidates reshaping South Texas politics in 3 key congressional races. Maria. Recio. Austin American-Statesman.
  7. Web site: South Texas Democrats push back as Latina Republicans close in. Suzanne. Gamboa. www.nbcnews.com. October 22, 2022 .
  8. Web site: March 9, 2022 . Texas Republicans hope to send their first Latina to Congress . NBC News.
  9. Web site: Neukam . Matthew Choi and Stephen . Monica De La Cruz becomes first Republican to win in 15th Congressional District in South Texas . The Texas Tribune . en . 9 November 2022.
  10. Web site: March 2, 2022 . Monica De La Cruz wins Republican primary in more competitive Texas district . .
  11. https://myrgv.com/local-news/2024/03/05/second-round-monica-de-la-cruz-michelle-vallejo-set-for-district-15-rematch/
  12. Web site: Scherer . By Jasper . 2024-11-06 . Monica De La Cruz retains GOP control of South Texas congressional district . 2024-11-22 . The Texas Tribune . en.
  13. Web site: Rep. Monica De La Cruz to deliver GOP's Spanish-language response to State of the Union. Benjamin. Wermund.
  14. News: Oprysko . Caitlin . June 20, 2024 . Grindr hooks up with K Street . Politico.
  15. Web site: Candidates . 2022-12-26 . RMSP PAC . en.
  16. Web site: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy . Financial Services Committee . U.S. House of Representatives . March 20, 2023.
  17. News: Demirjian . Karoun . 2023-10-25 . House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-30 . 0362-4331.
  18. Web site: Washington . U. S. Capitol Room H154 . p:225-7000 . DC 20515-6601 . 2023-10-25 . Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session . 2023-10-30 . Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives . en.
  19. Web site: January 3, 2023 . Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress . Pew Research Center.
  20. News: Top GOP congressional candidate in Texas accused of abusing teenage daughter of estranged husband. November 9, 2021. The Washington Post. Scherer. Michael. October 22, 2022.
  21. News: Scherer . Michael . GOP House candidate Monica De La Cruz will be allowed to return to her Texas home in April amid legal fight with her estranged husband . 14 April 2023 . Washington Post . January 12, 2022.

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