Donald Trump has flipped Starr County, Texas, one of the United States’ most reliably Democratic counties. Starr County, with a population that is over 97% Hispanic, had not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1892. Trump’s victory here marks a significant shift in the political landscape, particularly among Hispanic voters.
With 57.7% of the vote in Starr County, Trump defeated his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, who garnered 41.8% of the vote, according to data from the University of Houston’s tracker of statewide races. The results are nearly final, with 99% of votes counted. This historic win demonstrates Trump’s growing appeal among Hispanic voters in South Texas, a region traditionally dominated by the Democratic Party.
The shift in Starr County’s political alignment is notable given its recent voting history. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the county with a commanding 79% of the vote compared to Trump’s 19%. In the 2020 election, Joe Biden won the county, but Trump’s share of the vote had risen significantly, with Biden securing 52% to Trump’s 47%. Now, just four years later, Starr County has voted Republican for the first time in over a century.
Trump’s success among Hispanic voters extended to other majority-Latino counties in Texas, such as Cameron, Zapata, and Hidalgo. This trend highlights a broader political transformation in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley region, where issues like border security and economic policies have increasingly resonated with Hispanic voters.
In addition to his victory in Starr County, Trump’s strong performance in swing states such as Georgia, North Carolina, and ultimately Pennsylvania provided the necessary Electoral College votes to secure the presidency for a second term. His early lead on election night, which some analysts predicted might diminish, held firm as final results poured in.
Tony Hinchcliffe Controversy
Trump’s campaign faced some controversy earlier in the race after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, at a rally in Madison Square Garden, made offensive remarks about Puerto Ricans and Hispanics. However, Trump’s senior adviser, Danielle Alvarez, was quick to clarify that Hinchcliffe’s comments did not reflect the views of the Trump campaign. Despite these challenges, Trump managed to increase his support among Latino voters across the country, showcasing a shift in the voting patterns within this key demographic.
