Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) is projected to overcome challenges from the right and win the Republican primary for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ.
Gonzalez narrowly defeated YouTuber and gun enthusiast Brandon Herrera for the Republican race that covers San Antonio to El Paso. The Texas Republican failed to win more than half of the votes in the GOP primary in March, forcing him into a runoff election.
Prominent conservatives including House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-Va.), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Rep. Eli Klain (R-Ariz.) have endorsed Gonzales’ challenger, while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) and Texas Republicans Ronny Jackson and Jake Ellzey have also endorsed Gonzales.
Gonzales, who took over from former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) in 2021, has differed with hard-line supporters on some issues, including opposing warrant requirements for U.S. intelligence programs and voting in favor of Johnson’s foreign aid package.
Last May, the Texas Republican Party passed a resolution censoring him for supporting several bills, including bipartisan gun safety and respect marriage legislation.
But Gonzalez’s victory marks another blow for hardliners who have been trying to defeat moderate Republicans in primaries. Good also backed a challenger to Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who was expected to win the primary anyway.
At the same time, Goode and other hardliners are fighting for their political lives: Trump endorsed his opponent in the primary on Tuesday.
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