- Congressman Tony Gonzales, endorsed by President Trump, faces a rematch against social media personality Brandon Herrera in the Republican Primary for Congressional District 23
- Gonzales has positioned himself as a key ally to President Trump, particularly on border security and veterans’ issues
- Herrera has embraced some of President Trump’s most vocal critics within the Republican Party, including Congressman Thomas Massie
After a narrow victory in the 2024 Republican Primary runoff, Congressman Tony Gonzales faces a rematch against social media personality Brandon Herrera in the March Republican Primary for Congressional District 23. The district encompasses a wide swath of West Texas, stretching from San Antonio to El Paso and covering hundreds of miles along the Texas-Mexico border.
Support for President Trump has emerged as a focal point in the race, with Trump endorsing Gonzales last month.
“Congressman Tony Gonzales is a terrific Representative for the wonderful people of Texas’ 23rd Congressional District!
A retired Master Chief Petty Officer from the U.S. Navy, who bravely deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, Tony knows the Wisdom and Courage that is required to Defend our Country, Support our Brave Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH. In Congress, Tony is working hard to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.
Tony Gonzales has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”, said President Trump in a December 18, 2025 Truth Social post.
As noted by President Trump in his endorsement message, Gonzales has been a key ally to Trump on border security and veterans’ issues.
In an op-ed published by Fox News last year, Gonzales shared his experience as a border-area congressman and praised the Trump administration for securing the border and cracking down on illegal immigration.
Gonzales wrote, “Within hours of taking office, President Donald Trump took executive action on many priorities I’ve fought hard for in Congress for years. Deadly cartels and violent transnational gangs, such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, who took advantage of loopholes in our laws to peddle deadly fentanyl into our country and cause chaos in our cities, were designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Trump’s successful Remain in Mexico policy was put back on the books, and illegal criminal aliens are finding themselves on one-way flights out of our nation.”
“As we reverse the damage open border policies have put upon our nation, we cannot lose sight of the root issues that have plagued our immigration system for decades. With leadership in the White House that puts patriotism and the rule of law at the helm, now is the moment to implement changes to our immigration laws that preserve our founding principles first,” added Gonzales.
Last month, Gonzales discussed a number of his priority items for veterans and servicemembers that were included in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act that was passed by Congress.
“As a 20-year Navy veteran, taking care of the men and women in our armed services is a top priority for me. Our servicemembers’ quality of life goes hand in hand with military readiness,” said Gonzales. “In the NDAA, I worked to ensure the Pentagon implements a pay increase for military families who qualify for the Family Separation Allowance and that conditions at military housing, dining, and medical facilities across our services are evaluated and improved. This bill will soon be heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law—this is a win for our national security priorities and a win for our troops.”
Meanwhile, Herrera has embraced some of Trump’s most vocal critics within the Republican Party.
In September, Herrera attended an event along with Dudley Brown, a vociferous opponent of President Trump who serves as President of the National Association for Gun Rights. Herrera posed for a photograph with Brown at the event, in which Brown is shown presenting an oversized novelty check representing a $3,000 campaign contribution to Herrera’s campaign from Brown’s Political Action Committee.
Brown, who has proclaimed that he “never voted for Trump and never will” and has described President Trump as a “poison that infects the GOP”, also personally donated $500 to Herrera’s previous campaign against Gonzales.
Herrera has also publicly expressed his support and admiration for Thomas Massie, a Republican Congressman from Kentucky who has been Trump’s most vocal Republican critic in Congress. In one tweet, Herrera said that Massie was “one of my favorite humans.” In another tweet, Herrera remarked that Massie “is one of my favorite members.”
Trump, on the other hand, has excoriated Massie and endorsed a Primary challenger against him.
“The incredible people of Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, who want desperately to get rid of Thomas Massie, the Worst “Republican” Congressman we have had in many years, gave us a mandate to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!,” wrote Trump on Truth Social earlier this week.
“Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement against “Congressman” Thomas Massie — He only votes AGAINST the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left. Unlike “lightweight” Congressman Massie, a true hater of Israel, and a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET KENTUCKY DOWN!”
In addition to Gonzales and Herrera, the Republican Primary for Congressional District 23 also includes former Congressman Francisco “Quico” Canseco and Marine Corps veteran Keith Barton.
