Republicans are highlighting U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez’ legal record in South Texas as they seek to draw a contrast with GOP challenger Eric Flores in the race for Texas’ 34th Congressional District.
Before serving in Congress, Gonzalez represented defendants in multiple drug-trafficking and alien-smuggling cases during his years in private practice, according to court records and case filings cited by Republicans. The cases include federal alien-smuggling prosecutions, large-scale marijuana-trafficking matters, and an MDMA distribution case.
Among the cases reviewed by Texas Scorecard is a 2000 federal case involving Guisela Janeth Pensado-Callejas, who was charged with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and harboring illegal aliens in the United States. Pensado-Callejas later pleaded guilty to one count after prosecutors dismissed two others as part of a plea agreement.
Another case involved Marin Martinez-Hernandez, who was charged in a 2005 federal alien-smuggling case. Records indicate Gonzalez represented Martinez-Hernandez as the defendant reached a plea agreement.
Republicans are also emphasizing Gonzalez’ past representation of drug defendants.
In 1999, Gonzalez represented Frank Tijerina in a federal marijuana trafficking case involving roughly 63 kilograms—about 139 pounds—of marijuana. Tijerina was later sentenced to 30 months in prison in that case.
In another case, Gonzalez represented Elmer Eliud Saldivar in a 2003 federal prosecution alleging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute eight pounds of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy. Saldivar was later sentenced to 57 months in prison.
Court records also show Gonzalez represented Efren Tafolla Hurtado in a state case involving possession of more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana. Hurtado later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
The effort is part of a broader attempt to make border security and crime central issues in the South Texas race while drawing a direct contrast with Flores, a former assistant U.S. attorney who has campaigned on his record prosecuting cartel-connected traffickers and human smugglers.
“Vicente Gonzalez spent his career defending the drug traffickers, smugglers, illegal immigrants charged with human smuggling, and violent criminals who made South Texas less safe,” said NRCC spokesman Christian Martinez. “Eric Flores put cartel-connected criminals behind bars. Vicente Gonzalez helped them cut deals. That tells Texans everything they need to know about whose side Gonzalez has been on.”
Texas Scorecard reached out to Gonzalez’ office and campaign for comment and will update this story with any response.
The 34th Congressional District is among those redrawn by the Texas Legislature last year to be more favorable to Republicans.
