Republicans in Austin and Tallahassee redrew congressional maps with a big prize in mind: as many as nine additional U.S. House seats. The lines are drawn, the campaigns are running, and the payoff is looking smaller than advertised. Several districts, including a Rio Grande Valley seat Republicans expected to hold comfortably, have turned into genuine fights.

In Texas, Republican Eric Flores is in a closer-than-expected race, while Democrat Bobby Pulido, a Latin Grammy-winning musician, is challenging Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz. Democrats say the GOP counted on Hispanic and rural voters while missing how badly inflation and the deportation agenda are landing in those same communities. Republicans point to favorable maps, strong fundraising, and better candidates as reasons to stay confident. Vice President JD Vance is campaigning in Texas on Wednesday and Florida on Thursday, a schedule that says plenty about where the party sees trouble.

The stakes stretch well beyond the two states. Control of the U.S. House hinges on whether these redistricting gains hold, and voter discontent over inflation, tariffs, and the Iran war is keeping races competitive nationwide. Here in Ellis County, the cost of living keeps surfacing as the issue that crosses party lines.

What’s the one issue that will decide your vote this November?