AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Rep. republican. Tony Gonzales of Texas won his primary against a gun rights activist who pushed the border congressman into a runoff and threatened to unseat an incumbent speaker in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gonzales defeated Brandon Herrera, a gun enthusiast who calls himself “The AK Guy” on social media and attacked Gonzales for positions that angered the far-right GOP in Texas. Gonzales supporters had warned that a defeat in Tuesday’s election could open the door for Democrats to flip the district in November.
During the campaign, Herrera attacked the two-term Republican for his support for a gun safety bill after the 2022 Uvalde school shooting — which occurred in the district of Gonzales – and for his past criticism of harsh immigration proposals.
Gonzales will face Democrat Santos Limon in the November general election.
Gonzales, who critics have portrayed as a moderate within the GOP, called some of his far-right colleagues in Congress “bastards” during an interview with CNN in April.
It was censored by the Republican Party of Texas in 2023 for supporting federal same-sex marriage protections and a bipartisan gun safety bill after gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.
But Gonzales won support from leading Republicans, including the governor of Texas. Greg Abbott — at a time when the party holds a slim majority in the House. President Mike Johnson attended a fundraiser for Gonzales, who greatly outperformed Herrera.
What you need to know about the 2024 elections
Herrera is a gun manufacturer who posts videos about guns and gun rights and has more than 3 million followers on YouTube.
In another closely watched race, Republican Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dade Phelan won his runoff to survive a wave of partisan turmoil in the nation’s largest red state and the ire of the right following last year’s impeachment of state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Phelan, who finished second in March behind challenger David Covey, a former local party chairman and oil and gas consultant backed by former President Donald Trump, rallied to a landslide victory in the runoff.
In another key Republican runoff born from a bitter division within the party, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales was fighting to fend off challenger Brandon Herrera, a gun rights activist and YouTube creator with more than 3 million followers on that platform.
The race was too early to call Tuesday evening. Gonzales had a narrow lead, but there were still votes to be counted in the precinct.
Phelan’s victory stopped a far-right push aimed at forcing him out of his leadership role in the state’s dominant party, but a shakeup at the Texas Capitol could still happen.
Although the victory keeps Phelan on the ballot in his southeast Texas district, the bruising fight leaves overriding questions about his ability to retain the presidency.
On his election night, Phelan declared victory in what he called “a terrible, awful, stunning, dragging fight” and told supporters he would remain president.
“I think that runoff did me a favor,” Phelan said. “It let my constituents know what my true record is.”
The race was a snapshot of fractures within the GOP nationally. Phelan, who has been speaker since 2021, faced criticism after his chamber voted last year to impeach Paxton on charges of bribery and corruption. Paxton was later acquitted by the State Senate.
Phelan presided over votes that enacted some of the nation’s strictest anti-abortion laws, dramatically expanded gun rights and supported the government. Greg Abbott’s highly visible anti-immigration platforms and rollback of LGBTQ+ rights.
After Phelan declared victory, Covey and Paxton accused him of tricking Democrats into voting for him in the Republican primary and pushing him over the top. Texas has an open primary system, meaning voters can cross partisan lines to cast their ballots.
“Dade Phelan may have won this election, but in doing so he irrevocably destroyed his already weak legacy,” Covey said.
Here’s a look at other primary runoffs in Texas:
ASSET LINKS
Former Trump Speaker Katrina Pierson defeated incumbent Justin Holland for her House of Representatives seat in suburban Dallas.
Holland was among the House Republicans who voted to impeach Paxton. He also voted in favor of raising the purchasing age for assault rifles from 18 to 21, and against Abbott’s plan to spend public education money on private schools. Abbott campaigned for Pierson.
CUELLAR CHALLENGE
Republicans have chosen Jay Furman, a retired Navy veteran, as their candidate to run in November against Henry Cuellar, a longtime Democratic congressman who, with his wife, was indicted this spring on federal charges of bribery, money laundering and fraud. Cuellar said he was innocent; three partners have He pleaded guilty in related investigations.
Furman defeated rancher and businessman Lazaro Garza in the South Texas district that Cuellar has held since 2005. Both campaigned on stronger border security and immigration restrictions.
There was also another Cuellar on the ballot: Rosie Cuellar, his sister, was defeated by Cecilia Castellano in the Democratic runoff for a South Texas House of Representatives seat. The March primary took place before Henry Cuellar was indicted.
The winner advances to the November general election against Republican Don McLaughlin, who was mayor of Uvalde at the time of the school shooting.
GONE GRANGER
Republicans also chose a real estate businessman and state representative to the House of Representatives. Craig Goldman regarding construction company businessman John O’Shea to replace outgoing U.S. Representative. Kay Granger, the longest-serving Republican congresswoman in the country. Goldman will face Democrat Trey Hunt in the heavily Republican district anchored in Fort Worth.
Granger, 81, was first elected in 1996 and is a former chairwoman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. She announced last year that she would not run again.