Lulu Flores Explained

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

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

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

2024

Flores was uncontested in the Democratic primary. She is uncontested in the general election.

2002

Notes and References

1. Web site: Maria Luisa Flores, Texas Rep.: Email and phone. Salary, biographical details and latest news. . The Texas Tribune . 22 March 2023 . en.
2. Web site: Representatives . Texas House of . Texas House of Representatives . www.house.texas.gov . 22 March 2023.
3. Web site: Lulu Flores . Ballotpedia . 22 March 2023 . en.
4. Web site: Thompson . Maggie Q. . Texas Lege Preview: Rep. Lulu Flores, HD 51 . www.austinchronicle.com . 22 March 2023.
5. Web site: Scott Hendler . Hendler Flores Law . 23 March 2023 . en.
6. Web site: MAP: Where did Flores perform best in the HD 51 primary? . KXAN Austin . 22 March 2023 . 5 March 2022.
7. Web site: Board . American-Statesman Editorial . A proven fighter for Dems, Flores merits District 51 vote . Austin American-Statesman . 22 March 2023.
8. Web site: Legislative Reference Library Legislators and Leaders Member profile . lrl.texas.gov . 22 March 2023.
9. Web site: Barragán . James . Watch: Four new Texas House members discuss immigration, property taxes and public school financing . The Texas Tribune . 22 March 2023 . en . 8 January 2023.