Something remarkable happened the night after Mayra Flores’ historic win in the special election to fill the vacancy in Texas’ 34th Congressional District: a Univision newscast spoke glowingly of the election of a conservative.
Look at anchor Maity Interiano’s introduction of the complete report on Flores’ win, as aired on Univision’s late night newscast:
NOTICIERO UNIVISION, EDICIÓN NOCTURNA: 6/15/2022
MAITY INTERIANO: We begin with Republican Mara Flores’ historic electoral victory, who becomes the first U.S. congresswoman to be born in Mexico. Flores will represent Texas after defeating Democrat Dan Sánchez. She won because it symbolized a shift in political generations and is a confirmation of the possibility that any immigrant can achieve the American Dream.
Univision’s coverage of Flores’ win didn’t start out this way. Reports from the early morning Despierta América were shamefully limited to a 6-second blurb that didn’t mention Flores by name, and were read over B-roll of Nevada Senate candidate Adam Laxalt. The situation was so bad that it wasn’t even funny we called it out on social media. Univision took the corrective actions and featured full Flores reports in their late-night and primetime newscasts.
The report, which is glowing and positive in tone is not something one would expect to see only given to Democrats (think AOC), is quite remarkable. In all my time at the MRC, I can’t ever recall this kind of positive -and, yes, glowing- coverage of the election of a Hispanic conservative to the United States Congress- let alone on a network known for referring to them as race-traitors See Exhibits B and A..
This report is also proof evident of the power and transcendence of Flores’ win. Flores’ demography means that she is preferred to be covered over other Hispanic conservatives. Telemundo, Univision, and Telemundo cannot overlook the Mexican immigrant who came from Burgos Tamaulipas to be the first Mexican woman elected to Congress. It is their duty to tell the tale, even though it decouples leftist politics with Latino identity. A story of aspirationThis is very relevant for their core audience in the West and Southwest. “From immigrant to congresswoman”, read one chyron. You could have just said, “She’s one among us.”
A beaming Interiano, who I again remind you is a Univision anchor, closed out the report on the election of a Texas Republican with “Latino pride”. It is a huge shift.
Click “Expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on Noticiero Univisión Edición Nocturna on Wednesday, June 15th, 2022:
MAITY INTERIANO: We begin with Republican Mara Flores’ historic electoral victory, who becomes the first U.S. congresswoman to be born in Mexico. Flores will represent Texas after defeating Democrat Dan Sánchez. Flores’ victory is a symbol of a shift in political generations and confirms that anyone who tries to attain the American Dream can do so.
MAYRA FLORES: Be confident in yourself, and believe that you can achieve anything in this country. I still don’t believe it because I remember when I worked in the fields with my parents…
MARLENE GUZMÁN: At her 36 years of age, Mayra Flores makes history by becoming the first Mexican congresswoman to achieve a seat in Congress.
FLORES: I am the American Dream, but I don’t just want that dream for myself. It is my dream for our children.
GUZMÁN: Gaining the majority of votes in Tuesday’s special election, Flores wins in Texas’ 34th District, which covers part of the Rio Grande Valley, where 84% of residents are Hispanic.
FLORES: It means alot, because this district has never had a voice in Washington. Washington should listen to Hispanics, I think.
GUZMÁN: This victory in South Texas does not only favor the Republican Party.
JAIME FLOREZ, RNC: It represents our new, younger, and better-prepared political class…
GUZMÁN: But it also signals a shift in the political direction of a region dominated by Democrats for over 100 years.
FLORES – In this valley, there is only one party responsible for everything. And that’s not good. It’s good to have balance. It is good to balance.
GUZMÁN: The Congresswoman-elect is getting ready to go to Washington shortly and thus officially fulfill the seven months remaining in this term.
FLORES: I’m thrilled to represent my people.
GUZMÁN: Upon filling the vacancy left behind by Filemón Veka when he resigned from Congress at the beginning of the year Flores, who was born in Burgos, Tamaulipas, will face Democrat Vicente González in the November 8th election.
GLORES: My family was also poor. But I was blessed with the most wonderful childhood. For me, protecting life is the most important thing. Our lives are quite different. However, my work will show that I am worthy of your vote in November.
GUZMÁN: In McAllen, Texas; Marlene Guzmán, Univision.
INTERIANO: Latino pride.
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