Denise Villalobos, a chemical engineer, made history in November by flipping House District 34 from blue to red. Villalobos defeated Democrat Solomon Ortiz Jr. in a district previously held by retiring Democrat State Rep. Abel Herrero.
Villalobos’s win marked a significant milestone in the ongoing Republican shift in South Texas.
“Growing up in Corpus Christi, I’ve always been interested in politics, and I’ve been a strong conservative since I was in seventh grade,” Villalobos said. “Abel Herrero was someone I challenged even back in high school, telling him one day I’d beat him. When he retired, the opportunity came sooner than expected, and I knew I had to step in.”
Her campaign focused on her journey of overcoming poverty and domestic challenges through conservative values, which resonated with voters. “I was born into poverty. My father struggled with substance abuse, and there was a lot of domestic violence in my home,” Villalobos explained. “It was through conservative principles that I was able to turn my life around, and I want to provide similar opportunities for the children in House District 34.”
Villalobos’s victory stunned many political observers, especially due to the margin of her win. While Republicans had been gaining traction in the area, her 55 percent of the vote far exceeded expectations.
“The governor called me on election night and said, ‘We expected you to win, but not by Democrat numbers in a Democrat district,’” Villalobos recounted. “It was a combination of my opponent’s entitlement and threats, contrasted with our message of opportunity and principles, that carried the day.”
Villalobos prioritizes several key issues as she prepares for her first legislative session. A major focus will be combating human trafficking, which she said polled as the top issue for crossover voters in her district. “We’re working on a bill to ensure that anyone convicted of trafficking children in Texas will never be eligible for parole,” she said. “It’s a way to address border concerns while protecting our most vulnerable.”
Other priorities include foster care reform and supporting the oil and gas industry.
As a foster parent, Villalobos said she wants to protect the privacy of foster children and prospective adoptive families. “There’s a requirement to list every weapon in your home with serial numbers—that’s an invasion of privacy,” she said. “Additionally, during our foster process, DNA was run without permission. I’m working on legislation to prevent these overreaches.”
Villalobos’s background in the oil and gas industry also drives her commitment to supporting Corpus Christi’s critical role in powering Texas and the nation. “We’re in stage three drought, and our refineries are major economic drivers,” she said. “Current drought regulations are too lenient for a city like Corpus. We’re also focused on limiting federal environmental overreach and ensuring Texas industries remain competitive.”
