Starr County, TX (KRGV) — Voters in Starr County are preparing to decide contested congressional and senate races as early voting approaches.

Channel 5 News spoke with a Democratic and a Republican voter in Rio Grande City about the issues shaping their views this election.

Veronica Galvan says she has always voted Democrat. She works as a provider and worries about the rising cost of living.

"I just put gas in my car; it's $60," Galvan said.

She says her husband, brothers, and son have all had to search for higher-paying jobs outside the Valley.

"It would be great for the community for them to stay here and make this county bigger and better," Galvan said.

Roel Reyes owns a photography studio and says he has always voted Republican.

"We vote on our conservative values," Reyes said.

Immigration enforcement has been making headlines, but Reyes says he is not concerned about it.

"If they're talking to them, it’s because they know they're illegal and they somehow know their license plates, and that's the reason they stop them," Reyes said.

University of Texas San Antonio political science professor Jon Taylor of the says immigration enforcement and tariffs on Mexico could affect Republican support in the county.

"Starr is a fascinating county," Taylor said.

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar is running against former Webb County Judge and Republican congressional candidate Tano Tijerina in the District 28 race.

"Let’s not forget, Starr County is one of Henry Cuellar's strongholds, which I think makes Tano Tijerina's test much more difficult to try and beat him,” Taylor said.

Taylor says a redrawn congressional map by Republicans last year also changed the makeup of the district.

"So you took out parts of San Antonio, which were traditionally heavily Democratic-friendly, and you moved them into Congressional District 35, the new one that was created on the east and southeast side of Bexar County," Taylor said. "You move voters that were in part of 23 that were Republican into this new Congressional District 28, making it a lot less likely for a Democrat to win."

It is still unclear how these issues will shape the election as voting is set to begin later this month.

The first day of early voting is Monday, Oct. 19. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Watch the video above for the full story.