SAN ANTONIO, TX – A competitive Republican primary is brewing in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, setting the stage for a potential rematch between incumbent Tony Gonzales and challenger Brandon Herrera. The district, spanning from San Antonio westward to the El Paso suburbs, is attracting attention as a key battleground within the state GOP.
Gonzales,first elected in 2020,is facing a challenge from Herrera,a social media personality known as “the AK Guy,” and Cotulla rancher susan Storey Rubio. The race is expected to highlight divisions within the party, particularly regarding gun control and the direction of conservative politics.
Gonzales faced criticism from conservative factions during the previous election cycle for his support of bipartisan gun safety legislation following the May 24, 2022, shooting at Robb elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, which falls within the 23rd district. The tragedy, which claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers, became a central issue in Herrera’s 2024 campaign.
Herrera gained prominence through his YouTube channel, which currently has 4.4 million subscribers. His campaign in 2024 was fueled by significant grassroots fundraising, reportedly exceeding $300,000 from Second Amendment advocates, and leveraged his online following. however, his candidacy also drew scrutiny due to controversial statements made on his YouTube channel and in podcast interviews, including remarks perceived as insensitive regarding veteran suicide, the Holocaust, and child abuse. Specific examples include a now-deleted video referencing the Holocaust as a “business decision” and a joke about veterans seeking mental health care.
Despite Herrera’s online momentum,Gonzales secured re-nomination in 2024 with the backing of prominent Texas Republicans,including Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. Gonzales raised $4.5 million for his 2024 campaign, substantially outpacing Herrera’s fundraising efforts. Key donors included the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund and various energy industry PACs.
The 23rd Congressional District is a sprawling, geographically diverse area with a significant Hispanic population. It includes all or parts of 29 counties, including Bexar, Terrell, Brewster, and El Paso counties. The district’s demographics are roughly 70% Hispanic,23% White,and 5% Black or African American,according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 estimates.
Gonzales’ campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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