US Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas fights off challenge from gun-rights activist in GOP runoff
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas has won his primary over a gun-rights activist who forced the border congressman into a runoff and threatened to unseat a House incumbent
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas narrowly won his primary Tuesday against a gun-rights activist who pushed the border congressman into a bruising runoff that threatened to unseat a U.S. House incumbent.
Another prominent Texas Republican, state House Speaker Dade Phelan, also edged out a challenger from the right who was backed by President Donald Trump.
Both won by razor-thin margins, reflecting the anger of hard-line conservatives and a wave of party turbulence in America’s biggest red state over votes that bucked party lines and the impeachment of state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Gonzales defeated Brandon Herrera, a gun enthusiast who calls himself “The AK Guy” on social media and attacked him over positions that angered the GOP’s hard right in Texas. Supporters of Gonzales had warned that a loss in Tuesday's election could open the door for Democrats to flip the district in November.
