Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales Faces Primary Defeat Over Ukraine Aid Stance
SAN ANTONIO – A private poll conducted for primary opponent Brandon Herrera shows that Herrera now leads Texas Representative Tony Gonzales by a margin of roughly 40% to 20% among likely voters in the 23rd District (San Antonio-West Texas).
Herrera, known as “the AK Guy” for his free-wheeling YouTube commentary on gun ownership, has vigorously denounced Gonzales’ vote for the April 2024 supplemental measure that provided $60 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 311-to-112. Although 112 Republicans voted against it — including Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Bob Good (R-Va.), and Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) — the measure was approved.
Three Republican House members who opposed the Ukraine supplemental all weighed in for Herrera against Gonzales in the 2024 primary.
Steve Moore, founder of the Ukraine Freedom Project, said, “Last cycle there were no primary losses for Ukraine supporters. [House Appropriations Committee Chair] Tom Cole had a self-funding opponent in Oklahoma’s 2nd District who attacked his support of Ukraine and Cole won big [64-to-25%].”
Gonzales’ likely defeat would mark the first time a sitting Republican House member who supports Ukraine has been defeated by an opponent who opposes aid to the country.
