The Associated Press is projecting Republican Texas Rep. Tony Gonzalez to win Tuesday’s Republican primary runoff election against far-right challenger Brandon Herrera.
Gonzalez is running for a third two-year term representing a predominantly Hispanic district in southwest Texas.
Texas’ 23rd Congressional District has the most border area of any congressional district, with more than 800 miles of U.S.-Mexico border. The district includes Uvalde, Texas, where a mass shooting at an elementary school two years ago killed 19 children and two adults.
Gonzalez, who has opposed party lines on gun safety, immigration and same-sex marriage, is taking on Herrera, a MAGA supporter and gun rights advocate known for his gun-themed YouTube channel called “The AK Guy.”
Political vendetta and Trump key drivers in Texas Republican primary runoff
Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) walks down the steps of the House of Representatives after voting on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Gonzalez has been endorsed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Texas actor Matthew McConaughey recorded an automated phone call in support of Gonzalez.
Texas Republicans slam Rep. Tony Gonzalez for votes on same-sex marriage, guns, border security
Herrera has been endorsed by controversial Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida and fellow far-right Rep. Bob Good of Florida, who is chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
Gonzalez won more than 45% of the vote in the March primary, with Herrera coming in a distant second with 25%, but neither candidate received a majority of the vote, so under Texas law the two candidates advanced to a head-to-head runoff election.
Brendan Steinhauser, a veteran Texas-based Republican strategist, said Herrera had framed the contest as “an establishment versus far-right populist race” and that Gonzalez was well aware that “he needed to defend the right wing.”
But, he added, “Tony has a pretty large presence in the conservative ecosystem. He appears frequently on Fox News and talks about the border.”
According to AdImpact, a major ad tracking company, outside groups have poured more than $5 million into the race.
Among the groups backing Gonzalez are the Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund, the Hispanic Leadership Alliance and the American Action Network, which works with House Republican leadership.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Get the latest 2024 campaign updates, exclusive interviews and more on Fox News Digital’s Election Hub.
