A closed border, and a lost campaign issue

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Donald Trump won Starr County, Texas, with 57.8 percent of the vote in the 2024 presidential election, becoming the first Republican to carry the county in over a century. This shift was largely driven by local frustration over increased migrant crossings near the border, though evolving migration patterns and federal responses have since reduced the political advantage for Republicans in the area.

In Starr County, Texas, a predominantly Latino region along the U.S.-Mexico border, the 2024 presidential election marked a significant political shift as Donald Trump secured 57.8 percent of the vote, becoming the first Republican candidate to carry the county in over 100 years. This outcome represented a dramatic change from 2016, when Trump received just 18.9 percent support in Starr County.

The surge in Republican support has been linked to the impact of migration patterns in the area. Starting in 2021, thousands of migrants began emerging from thick brush near the Rio Grande, navigating through residential neighborhoods to seek basic necessities such as water and directions. This influx prompted concern among residents, including Claudia Alcazar, who served as chairwoman of the Starr County Republican Party in 2022. Alcazar described the situation as chaotic and unsettling, saying local residents felt overwhelmed by the frequent presence of migrants near their homes.

The visible increase in migrant crossings fueled frustration with the Biden administration’s border policies, motivating many voters in Starr County to support Republican candidates. The phenomenon of migrants “knocking on windows” became symbolic of broader dissatisfaction along the border, where security and immigration remain pressing issues.

However, by the 2026 election cycle, Republicans appeared to have lost the advantage that a surge in migrant crossings provided in previous years. Efforts by GOP organizers to replicate the impact of migration as a campaign issue have been less successful as border conditions evolved and public attention shifted. The border’s openness, which had driven political engagement and turnout among local voters, has since diminished as migration flows changed and federal policies evolved.

The political dynamics in Starr County illustrate the complex interplay between immigration issues and electoral outcomes in border regions. While heightened migration influenced voter behavior in 2024, changing circumstances have altered the political landscape for Republicans seeking to maintain gains in traditionally Democratic strongholds.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.