Pete Flores

Peter Paul Flores is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Texas State Senate, representing District 24. A member of the Republican Party, Flores has a notable history in Texas politics, including a previous term in the Texas Senate representing District 19 from 2018 to 2021. He made history as the first Hispanic Republican Texas State Senator and was the first Republican elected in District 19 since the Reconstruction Era. After losing his seat in the 2020 election, he successfully won the Republican nomination for District 24 in 2022 and returned to the Texas Senate.

Early life and career

Pete Flores was born on January 30, 1960, and grew up in South Texas. His parents, Margarito and Lilia Flores, retired in Laredo, Texas, where he completed his high school education at Laredo Martin High School. Following high school, he attended Laredo Junior College before transferring to Texas A&M University, where he completed his degree. His early career began at the Texas A&M Veterinary School, where he worked as a farm technician. In 1985, he was accepted into the Texas Game Warden Academy, which marked the beginning of his career in law enforcement.

Flores eventually retired as a Colonel Game Warden for Texas Parks and Wildlife, where he served as a leader in the agency's statewide law enforcement division. His appointment as the first Hispanic to hold this leadership position underscored his significant contributions to the field and his commitment to public service. His background in law enforcement and wildlife management provided him with a unique perspective on issues related to natural resources and public safety, which would later influence his legislative priorities.

Legislative service

Flores's political career began in earnest when he ran for the Texas Senate in 2016, seeking to represent District 19. In that election, he faced Democratic incumbent Carlos Uresti but was unsuccessful, garnering approximately 40% of the vote. District 19 is notable for being the largest district in the Texas Senate, encompassing about 400 miles of the Texas-Mexico border and covering over 35,000 square miles across 17 counties. The district has a significant Hispanic population, comprising around 66% of its residents.

In February 2018, Uresti resigned from the Senate after being convicted of federal fraud and money laundering charges, prompting a special election. Flores seized this opportunity and ran again for the vacant seat. In a surprising upset, he won the special election on September 18, 2018, defeating former state representative and U.S. Congressman Pete Gallego. His victory was characterized by strong support in Medina County, where he received a substantial majority of the votes. During his campaign, Flores emphasized his commitment to property tax reform, economic development, law enforcement support, and Second Amendment rights.

Flores served the remainder of the term previously held by Uresti, which lasted for two years and three months. His tenure in the Senate was marked by endorsements from prominent Republican figures, including U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, Governor Greg Abbott, and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. In the 2020 general election, Flores sought re-election but was defeated by Democratic nominee Roland Gutierrez by a narrow margin. This election contributed to a shift in the political landscape of the district, with the Democratic Party gaining ground and the Republican-led State Senate losing its supermajority.

In 2022, following the redistricting process that occurred after the 2020 United States Census, Flores ran for the newly drawn State Senate District 24. This district includes his hometown of Pleasanton and extends into the Republican-leaning Texas Hill Country. On May 24, 2022, he won the Republican primary runoff against Raul Reyes, securing approximately 59% of the vote. His campaign was supported by key Republican figures, including Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and former incumbent Dawn Buckingham, who had vacated the seat to pursue a statewide office. Given the district's strong Republican lean, Flores won the general election against Democratic opponent Kathy Jones-Hospod, marking his return to the Texas Senate.

Policy focus and district

Throughout his legislative career, Pete Flores has focused on several key policy areas, reflecting the interests and concerns of his constituents in District 24. One of his primary objectives is property tax reform. Flores advocates for lowering property taxes in Texas, arguing that taxpayers are overburdened and that the current tax rates are unsustainable. He has proposed changes to the property appraisal system, advocating for a uniform methodology that would be consistent across the state. This approach aims to hold appraisers accountable to voters by making the members of appraisal district boards elected officials rather than appointed by taxing entities.

In addition to property tax reform, Flores has taken a firm stance on issues related to abortion, expressing opposition to the practice. His legislative agenda also includes a focus on law enforcement support and Second Amendment rights, reflecting the values of his constituents in a district that leans Republican.

Flores has also been active in addressing issues related to child protection. In 2025, he authored Texas Senate Bill 20, known as the "Stopping AI-Generated Child Pornography Act." This legislation aims to create new criminal offenses for individuals who possess, promote, or view visual materials deemed obscene that depict children, including those generated through artificial intelligence. The bill received unanimous support in both chambers of the Texas Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. While the legislation was praised by some for its intent to protect children, it also faced criticism regarding its potential implications for free speech.

As a member of the Texas State Senate, Flores continues to engage with his constituents and address the pressing issues facing his district. His legislative efforts reflect a commitment to representing the interests of the residents of District 24 while navigating the complexities of state governance.