Mayra Flores raises twice as much as U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez in bid to unseat him this November [Video]

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WASHINGTON — Former Republican U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores raised well over twice as much as her Democratic opponent Rep. Vicente Gonzalez in the first quarter of the year in an encouraging sign to Republicans eager to take a region historically dominated by Democrats.

Flores, who is running to represent the 34th Congressional District, raised over $1.1 million from the start of the year till the end of March, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Gonzalez, meanwhile, raised over $449,000.

Still, Gonzalez dominates in cash on hand, closing the quarter with over $1.4 million in the bank. Flores had over $786,000.

Republicans have identified the 34th district, which includes the Rio Grande Valley east of McAllen, as a target this year. The National Republican Congressional Committee recruited Flores to run in the district again last year.

“Mayra Flores has …