Rep. Tony Gonzales, the Texas Republican who represents much of the southern border, narrowly turned back a right-wing primary challenger who called himself the “AK Man” on Tuesday in a victory that underscored his party's efforts to win the House of Representatives. could strengthen. .
Mr. Gonzales, 43, a military veteran in his second term in the House of Representatives who calls himself a “governing conservative,” defeated Brandon Herrera, 28, a YouTube star who campaigned for gun rights, in a runoff election. Mr. Gonzales was the top vote-getter in May's Republican primary but failed to reach the 50 percent threshold, leading to a runoff with his top challenger.
He barely survived the runoff election and was clinging to a slim margin when The Associated Press declared him the winner early Wednesday morning.
The race divided Republicans in the House of Representatives in a vivid display of the rifts that have plagued the party during a tumultuous Congress. Representative Bob Good of Virginia, who heads the House Freedom Caucus, and prominent right-wing Representatives Chip Roy of Texas and Matt Gaetz of Florida endorsed Mr. Herrera. But Republican leaders rallied around Mr. Gonzales, and Chairman Mike Johnson held a major fundraiser for him in the district in April.
He also underwent something of a transformation during the race, from an opponent of his party's hardline immigration positions to one of the leading proponents of the strict border enforcement bill in the House of Representatives.
A defining issue in the race was Mr. Gonzales' support of a bipartisan bill to address gun violence, called the Safer Communities ActDemocrats have long sought background checks but have pushed states to enact so-called red flag laws, among other measures.
Mr. Gonzales cited the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, which occurred in his district at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, as a contributing factor behind his support of the bill. Still, the Republican Party of Texas voted to censure Mr. Gonzales after the vote.
Mr. Herrera argued that Mr. Gonzales had turned his back on conservatives in Texas and said he would work to repeal gun restrictions if elected.
Mr Herrera wrote on social media that a vote for him would “slap the Uniparty establishment in the face. Let's send the message to DC that if they vote against the people, they will lose their jobs.”
The seat was once in a hotly contested swing district, where a moderate Republican vote would likely be needed to win the general election. But redistricting after the 2020 election made it more favorable ground for Republicans. Still, Gonzales supporters warned that a victory in Herrera could put the district back in play for a general election in which House Republicans, who hold a slim majority, aim to retain control.
While right-wing Republicans backed his opponent, Mr. Gonzales went after them personally in an interview on CNN in April, further exacerbating tensions.
“It is my absolute honor to be in Congress, but I serve with some real assholes,” Mr. Gonzales said. He raised allegations against Mr. Gaetz that resulted in an FBI investigation, but without charges.
“Look, Matt Gaetz – he paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties,” he said.
Mr. Gonzales also insinuated that Mr. Good was a racist.
“Bob Good supported my opponent, a known neo-Nazi,” Mr. Gonzales said. “These people walked around at night with white hoods; Now they walk around with white hoods during the day.”
He also targeted Mr. Herrera in a memorable attack ad, styled after a famous salsa commercial, accusing him of mocking both former President Donald J. Trump and veterans' suicide. Mr. Gonzales' ad noted that Mr. Herrera is from North Carolina.
“You deserve a conservative from Texas,” Mr. Gonzales said in the ad.