Texas GOP Candidate Demands Removal of Billboard Mimicking Campaign

A Republican candidate for the Texas House of Representatives has demanded the removal of a billboard that he says closely mimics his campaign's branding, featuring him alongside President Trump. Eric Flores, who is challenging Democratic Representative Vicente Gonzalez in Texas's 34th Congressional District, sent a cease-and-desist letter to Lamar Advertising over the display.

The billboard reportedly highlights Trump's endorsement of Flores and his support for ICE, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Northern Cameron County Democrats listed as sponsors. Flores's campaign argues that the billboard's design is so similar to its own official materials that it could mislead voters.

The letter was sent by Flores's lawyer, Eric Wang, on October 12, but the billboard remained visible as of October 16. Gonzalez has held the seat since 2017 and is seeking another term against Flores, a former federal prosecutor.

The controversy comes as Flores has made changes to his campaign messaging. Earlier campaign signs prominently featured Trump's endorsement, but newer materials have shifted focus to Flores's professional background. His campaign website has also seen modifications, with a pledge to "support President Trump's agenda" being moved from a prominent position to a separate page, replaced by a promise to "lower the cost of living."

Democrats have interpreted these shifts as an effort by Flores to distance himself from Trump as the midterm elections approach. However, Flores's campaign has denied this, stating that their objection to the billboard is solely due to its resemblance to their own materials, not an attempt to conceal his relationship with the former president. A recent estimate from On Point Politics indicated Gonzalez leading Flores by 3 points.