U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales declared victory in the Republican primary runoff to represent the 23rd Congressional District on Tuesday.
SAN ANTONIO — U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales declared victory in the Republican primary runoff to represent the 23rd Congressional District on Tuesday, narrowly beating back a spirited challenge from YouTuber Brandon Herrera who strived to turn the race into a referendum over his voting record on guns.“The future of America remains as bright as ever. Thank you #TX23 for continuing to place your faith in me,” Gonzales said on social media.
None of the candidates got the required 50% of the votes needed to stave off a runoff in the March 5 GOP primary, with Gonzales securing 45% of the vote. Herrera received just under 25%. But it paled in comparison to Gonzales’ fundraising operation, which was backed by several business interests active in West Texas and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Gonzales raised over $4.5 million ahead of the runoff, a third of which was raised in April before the runoff.
Herrera had the support of the House Freedom Caucus and other rabble-rousing right wingers in the Republican Party. Gonzales had beefed for years with those members on policy that he said was too extreme, including on the border and government funding. He also irked his peers when he was one of a few Republicans to vote against U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, for House Speaker. Jordan was a founding member of the Freedom Caucus and the right-wing’s top pick.
Gaetz, who is not a member of the Freedom Caucus but often antagonizes Republican leadership, campaigned for Herrera in San Antonio as early as March. Gabriel Muñoz, a member of the union’s legislative committee, said the union backed Gonzales for his advocacy for firefighter funding and for removal of PFAS, a toxic class of chemicals used for its water-resistant properties, from firefighting gear. But he said the union’s endorsement was based on what candidates have done for firefighters and their entire platforms.
But that humor was also a large part of his online appeal. Herrera has over 3.4 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, where he reviews guns, talks politics and trolls leftist activists. Herrera said he made the veteran suicide quip with veterans who used dark humor to cope with trauma. Herrera is not a veteran.“I do have a higher standard of demeanor when it comes to actual political discourse on things like, you know, Twitter. It's all about knowing the time and place,” Herrera said.
Herrera Texas Republican Votes Primary Campaign Election
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