Lulu Flores
Lulu Flores | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 51st district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Eddie Rodriguez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1955 or 1956 (age 68–69) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Scott Hendler |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | University of Texas, Austin (BA, JD) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Maria Luisa "Lulu" Flores (born 1955 or 1956) is an American politician and attorney who is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives from district 51. She took office in January 2023.
Background
[edit]Born in 1955 or 1956,[1] Flores grew up along the U.S.–Mexico border and is the youngest of nine children. Her father was an attorney and among the founding members of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).[2] She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in government in 1977 and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Texas Law School in 1980.[3] After law school, Flores became the chief of staff for Representative Irma Rangel (D–Kingsville), the first Mexican American woman to serve in the Texas House of Representatives.[2][4]
Flores is an attorney and, with her husband Scott Hendler,[5] is a partner at Hendler Flores Law, PLLC.[2][1] She served as a delegate for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.[2]
Texas House of Representatives
[edit]Flores ran in for office in 2022 to represent district 51 of the Texas House of Representatives. She won a crowded Democratic primary, receiving about 60% of the vote.[6] She was endorsed by the editorial board of the Austin American-Statesman.[7] In the general election, Flores received 84.4% of the vote, defeating Republican challenger Robert Reynolds.[3]
Flores was sworn in on January 10, 2023, succeeding Eddie Rodriguez.[8] She has said her biggest legislative priority is reducing property taxes and increasing funding for public education.[9] She is a member of the Texas House of Representatives LGBT Caucus and supports Senator Carol Alvarado's (D–Houston) legislation to give more freedom to physicians to provide abortions based on medical judgment.[4]
Flores is on the following committees: Culture, Recreation and Tourism; Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.[1]
Election History
[edit]2024
[edit]Flores was uncontested in the Democratic primary. She is uncontested in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lulu Flores (incumbent) | 8,728 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 8,728 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lulu Flores (incumbent) | |||
| Total votes | ||||
2022
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maria Luisa "Lulu" Flores | 42,393 | 84.43% | |
| Republican | Robert Reynolds | 7,818 | 15.57% | |
| Total votes | 50,211 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maria Luisa "Lulu" Flores | 8,074 | 60.3 | |
| Democratic | Cynthia Valadez-Mata | 1,525 | 11.4 | |
| Democratic | Matthew Worthington | 1,408 | 10.5 | |
| Democratic | Claire Campos-O'Neal | 991 | 7.4 | |
| Democratic | Albino Cadenas | 635 | 4.7 | |
| Democratic | Mike Hendrix | 498 | 3.7 | |
| Democratic | Cody Arn | 268 | 2.0 | |
| Total votes | 1,339 | 100.00% | ||
2002
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Eddie Rodriguez | 2,400 | 51.28 | |
| Democratic | Maria Luisa "Lulu" Flores | 2,280 | 48.72 | |
| Total votes | 4,680 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maria Luisa "Lulu" Flores | 2,361 | 38.28 | |
| Democratic | Eddie Rodriguez | 1,445 | 23.43 | |
| Democratic | Marcos De Leon | 1,109 | 17.98 | |
| Democratic | Sam Guzman | 697 | 11.30 | |
| Democratic | Bill Pool | 318 | 5.16 | |
| Democratic | Julia A. Diggs | 238 | 3.86 | |
| Total votes | 6,168 | 100.00% | ||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Maria Luisa Flores, Texas Rep.: Email and phone. Salary, biographical details and latest news". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d Representatives, Texas House of. "Texas House of Representatives". www.house.texas.gov. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Lulu Flores". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ a b Thompson, Maggie Q. "Texas Lege Preview: Rep. Lulu Flores, HD 51". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "Scott Hendler". Hendler Flores Law. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ "MAP: Where did Flores perform best in the HD 51 primary?". KXAN Austin. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ Board, American-Statesman Editorial. "A proven fighter for Dems, Flores merits District 51 vote". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "Legislative Reference Library | Legislators and Leaders | Member profile". lrl.texas.gov. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ Barragán, James (8 January 2023). "Watch: Four new Texas House members discuss immigration, property taxes and public school financing". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- Living people
- University of Texas at Austin alumni
- University of Texas School of Law alumni
- American women lawyers
- 21st-century American lawyers
- 21st-century American legislators
- Women state legislators in Texas
- Democratic Party members of the Texas House of Representatives
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century Texas politicians