• Elon Musk said he voted Republican for the first time by backing Mayra Flores in Texas.
  • He said there would be a "Massive red wave in 2022."
  • Musk said he was "tbd" on voting Republican for president but would likely vote for Florida's GOP governor.

Elon Musk said that he just voted Republican for the first time, and predicted there would be a "massive red wave in 2022."

Musk early on Wednesday morning responded to Republican Mayra Flores winning the special election for Texas's 34th Congressional District by saying he voted for her.

The election was triggered when the seat's Democratic incumbent resigned from Congress to become a lobbyist, and Flores in Tuesday's election won against her Democratic rival Dan Sanchez.

"I voted for Mayra Flores – first time I ever voted Republican. Massive red wave in 2022," Musk tweeted.

Musk was also asked on Twitter if he would vote for a Republican for president, and he said "tbd."

He then was asked who he was "leaning towards" voting for as president, and he responded: "DeSantis," referring to Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Musk added that he supported the Democratic candidate Andrew Yang in the 2020 election but believes DeSantis "has a better chance of winning" in the upcoming election. 

Musk said last month that he would vote Republican in an upcoming election, though he had voted for Democrats in the past and described himself as a "moderate, neither Republican nor Democrat."

Flores, a healthcare worker and local Republican activist, defeated Democrat Daniel Sanchez outright in the special election to replace former Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela, who resigned from Congress in April to join a lobbying firm.

Flores' win flipped the seat, taking it away from Democrats — but her victory may be short-lived. She'll only serve out the rest of Vela's term until January 2023, and the current 34th District itself will also cease to exist in its current form because of redistricting following the 2020 Census.

Texas lawmakers redrew the district to be significantly more favorable to Democrats, a change that will go into effect in time for the November election. Democratic Rep. Vincente Gonzalez, who currently represents the neighboring 15th District, will run for the regular election for the 34th District in November under the more Democratic-friendly lines. 

With more than 95% of the votes counted, Insider's election partner DDHQ said Flores was the victor with 50.98% of the vote. Sanchez, her nearest challenge, had 43.33%.

 

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