Rep. Gonzales’ Narrow Victory in Texas Primary Attributed to Trump Neutrality

​In the closely watched Republican run-off in Texas’ 23rd District (San Antonio-West Texas), establishment Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, narrowly defeated a MAGA-style opponent in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Gonzales faced a challenge from YouTuber Brandon Herrera, who criticized the incumbent for his stance on gun safety legislation and the Respect for Marriage Act, securing 50.7% of the vote. Herrera, a first-time candidate, also opposed Gonzales’ vote for aid to Ukraine, which has become a contentious issue in GOP primaries.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott supported Gonzales in the race, while influential figures like Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., backed Herrera. Despite the close contest, Herrera did not receive an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, which could have potentially tipped the scales in his favor.

Although Herrera’s campaign was controversial due to his unfiltered comments and humor, he came within a narrow margin of defeating the two-term incumbent. This challenge from an outsider to a conservative congressman signals a growing trend within the Republican Party.

Mary Barnes, a Newsmax intern at Southern Methodist University in Texas, assisted with this report by John Gizzi, chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more reports, visit here.