The Republican primary was upended in the final days by reports that Gonzales had an affair with a former aide who died last year after setting herself on fire. He’ll face Herrera in a runoff for the second straight election.
Tony Gonzales
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2026 Texas Elections
Tony Gonzales heads into Election Day with political future imperiled, Democrats eyeing his district
Both parties are contemplating the notion of Brandon Herrera, a gun-loving YouTuber with a history of provocative comments, as the GOP nominee. Herrera says he can win in November.
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2026 Texas Elections
Before scandal, Rep. Tony Gonzales had complicated relationship with his West Texas constituents
The moderate Republican’s votes on gun control and marriage equality upset the region’s most conservative voters, but local officials said they’re grateful for the work he did on public safety and health.
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2026 Texas Elections
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales says he won’t resign despite explicit texts with staffer
A growing number of House Republicans have called for Gonzales’ ouster — though he has yet to explicitly lose the support of any members who endorsed him.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texts show Rep. Tony Gonzales asked for explicit photos from aide who later died by suicide
Additionally, a police report shows that the aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, told responding officers she set herself on fire because her husband was romantically involved with her best friend.
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2026 Texas Elections
Rep. Tony Gonzales attacks primary opponent amid reporting of his affair with aide who died by suicide
The San Antonio Express-News reported on a text message from a staffer admitting to having an affair with Gonzales. The staffer died last year after setting herself on fire in Uvalde.
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2026 Texas Elections
Trump lawyer sends cease-and-desist letter to Brandon Herrera over use of president’s image in campaign ad
The letter says Herrera’s mailer depicting him next to the president “is inconsistent with President Trump’s unequivocal endorsement” of Rep. Tony Gonzales in the GOP primary for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District.
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2026 Texas Elections
Minneapolis gunman appears to promote “Brandon Herrera for president” in video posted before shooting
Herrera, a gun rights activist with millions of online followers, said he was “disgusted” to be mentioned by the shooter. Herrera is challenging U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales in the Republican primary.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Texas redistricting map: How the GOP could increase its stronghold
Texas lawmakers redrew congressional districts in a partisan bid to give Republicans five additional U.S. House seats. The move set off a bipartisan war across the U.S.
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2026 Texas Elections
Gun rights YouTuber Brandon Herrera to challenge U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales again in GOP primary
Herrera, who came within 400 votes of ousting Gonzales in a 2024 runoff, is once again positioning himself to the right of the incumbent.