Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) has won his primary election, paving the way for a third term in his Texas House seat. He defeated far-right challenger Brandon Herrera, who had the support of several GOP colleagues.
With 95% of ballots counted, Gonzales secured 50.7% of the vote. The Associated Press declared his victory early Wednesday morning.
This victory ends a heated primary that split the GOP. Some Texas Republicans backed Herrera, hoping to unseat Gonzales. Texas’s 23rd Congressional District is strongly Republican, making the primary winner the favorite for the November election.
Herrera, a gun rights activist and YouTuber known as the “AK Guy,” challenged Gonzales. The challenge came after Gonzales voted for a 2022 bill to strengthen gun safety laws, following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, which is in Gonzales’s district.
Herrera criticized Gonzales, stating gun rights activists would oppose anyone voting against their interests. He declared, “We will challenge you, we will primary you and we will win. We will take your job.”
Herrera had support from Reps. Matt Gaetz, Bob Good (R-VA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Eli Crane (R-AZ). Gonzales, however, was backed by Gov. Greg Abbott and House GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Despite the opposition, Gonzales remained confident. He warned that political retaliation would follow any efforts against him. “If somebody backs your opponent, they are trying to kill you politically. And you better believe them,” Gonzales told the Washington Examiner. “Your only option is to kill them politically.”
Gonzales will face Democratic candidate Santos Limon in November. The district, rated as R+5, is expected to lean Republican.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on available data at the time of publication. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of any affiliated organizations. All election results and statements are subject to verification and may change as more information becomes available. Readers are encouraged to consult multiple sources for a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
