McALLEN, Texas — Highlighting record-breaking early voting numbers across Hidalgo County, Julio Salinas, the Democratic nominee for Texas House District 41, expressed confidence that working-class voters and young residents are turning out in unprecedented numbers to demand change in Austin and Washington.
Speaking in an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Salinas reflected on the early surge at the polls, attributing the historic turnout to widespread frustration over rising living costs, federal policy impacts, and a renewed desire for forward-looking leadership in the Rio Grande Valley.
“The energy has not let up,” said Salinas, noting a massive turnout jump during the opening days of early voting. “We are looking at an increase in turnout unlike anything we’ve ever seen. That’s huge for the Rio Grande Valley, a place traditionally labeled as a non-voting region. People are seeing the anger at the system alongside excitement for the future.”
Salinas is vying for the House District 41 seat to succeed long-serving State Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, who is retiring.Election Day is scheduled for Nov. 3.
Addressing questions about whether the high turnout signals support for his campaign rather than his opponent's, Salinas cited primary turnout performance metrics indicating strong Democratic engagement.
“The folks who vote in the Democratic primary are coming out to vote at a 76% to 24% ratio,” Salinas said. “The Republicans are not coming out in the same way, and that’s because we’re seeing that anger at the local level.”
Salinas pointed to national and regional economic pressures—such as high grocery prices, tariffs, housing affordability, and international conflicts—as issues hitting local working-class families hardest.
“Every time something happens at the federal and state level, we get affected the most out of any place in the country,” Salinas noted. “When Washington or Austin coughs, the Rio Grande Valley gets the flu.”
To maintain voter momentum through Election Day, Salinas highlighted upcoming mobilization efforts, including a regional rally featuring prominent Democratic figures and local organizers to energize voters across state, congressional, and legislative contests.
Outlining his key policy priorities, Salinas emphasized that his platform has remained consistent since the start of his campaign. Key legislative goals for District 41 include:
“The Valley is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, but we are facing uncertainty regarding whether our infrastructure is prepared for that growth,” Salinas said. “If we elect leaders who can resolve these bottlenecks, we will create sustainable economic development and quality jobs.”
Salinas also shared his vision for the long-term economic expansion of the Rio Grande Valley, comparing its growth potential to Texas’ major metropolitan hubs.
“Dallas is the financial center, Houston is the energy center, Austin is tech, and San Antonio is cultural,” Salinas said.“The Valley has the capacity and location to become the primary distribution and logistics center for Texas and the nation.”
Addressing concerns regarding immigration enforcement presence and its chill effect on border economics, Salinas noted that fear-based economic disruption harms local small businesses, particularly cross-border commerce and retail.
“An economy based on fear is no economy at all,” Salinas remarked, adding that local residents remain resilient and determined to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
With high turnout reported at campus polling sites such as the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), Salinas—who, if elected at age 26, would be one of the youngest members of the Texas Legislature—expressed optimism about youth civic participation.
“For a long time, young people felt left out of the process,” Salinas said. “Now they are seeing leaders who speak directly to their challenges—from homeownership affordability to long-term economic access. They are showing up and proving that our region’s future is bright.”
