Representative Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) is fighting to defend his seat against a far-right YouTuber in Tuesday’s Republican primary runoff election in a district that covers a large swath of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Gonzalez, 43, was first elected to Congress with the support of then-President Trump. Trump In 2020. Brandon Herrera28 years old, online “AK Guy” He built his political reputation as a gun rights advocate, garnering the support of more than three million people. Youtube.
In the five-way Republican primary in March, Mr. Gonzalez won about 45% of the vote, not enough to clear the 50% threshold to avoid a runoff. Mr. Herrera won about 25% of the first round vote.
The winner of the runoff election will face off against the Democratic candidate. Santos Limon in the November general election in a deeply conservative district.
The district covers the town of Uvalde, where 19 students and two teachers were killed in a shooting spree. Robb Elementary School It was built two years ago, and its proximity to the border and the ongoing migrant crisis are major concerns.
The primary battle largely reflects a broader fight between mainstream moderate conservatives within the Republican Party and Trump-inspired MAGA followers.
Herrera said he decided to run after Gonzalez became the only Texas Republican in the House of Representatives to support bipartisan gun control legislation a month after the Uvalde shooting.
No stranger to controversy, Herrera has come under fire for his use of Nazi imagery, crude jokes and sympathy for the Confederacy.
He has also faced backlash for mocking President Trump’s teenage son. Baronand has publicly stated that he doesn’t believe Trump could run against the president and win the general election. Biden.
In a recent interview with CNN’s Inside Politics, Gonzalez blasted his Republican colleagues who supported Herrera, calling them “really scum.” Matt Gates (Florida) Bob Good (Virginia) and Andy Biggs (Arizona) All are supporting Herrera’s campaign.
Representative Eli Crain An Arizona Republican who had distanced himself from the race tweeted his disgust at Gonzalez’s comments on CNN.
“This is complete nonsense and pathetic, especially coming from a fellow veteran,” he wrote. CNN interview video attached“Because other members are accusing you of being a total RINO and insinuating that they’re members of the KKK.”
