Thelma Leal can’t escape the color blue. She wore a blue blouse to her job at a furniture store. She drives a blue car. And for decades, she voted blue in every election. In fact, her husband at one point ran for city commissioner as a Democrat. Until Leal, 63, started asking questions. Why did she have to vote Democrat? Were there other options? Her husband’s father, a die-hard Democrat, told her “we vote Democrat because that's what we do.” She would soon discover some of her values no longer aligned with the Democratic Party. She is “pro-life.” And her Christian faith – she regularly attends Laurel Heights Church of Christ in McAllen, Texas – is a key part of her life. So Leal, and her husband, walked away from the Democratic party. They are among many members of this Mexican American community that is nestled along the Rio Grande River – or Río Bravo depending on what side of the border you are on – to make a pilgrimage to the Republican party. Ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm elections, local Republicans are working to expand the conservative movement in the Rio Grande Valley, which has a majority Latino population and capture all three congressional seats in South Texas. Conservatives are recruiting homegrown candidates, many of whom attend high school and college there increasing voter outreach like canvassing and tapping into the voters’ heavily Christian background in an effort to expand the party’s reach. 📷: Angela Piazza @angelalpiazza To read more about GOP influence in South Texas, tap the link in our bio. #gop #2022midterms #republican #texas