Representative Tony Gonzales, an embattled Texas Republican facing calls from members of his own party to resign, was forced into a runoff, according to The Associated Press, in what promises to be an increasingly bitter primary race to remain in Congress. He will be challenged by Brandon Herrera, a hard-line conservative, YouTuber and gun rights advocate known as the AK Guy.
Mr. Gonzales failed to get 50 percent or more of the total vote after accusations surfaced last month that he had coerced a staff member into a sexual relationship. The staff member later died by suicide. Mr. Gonzales faced an unusual backlash in an age when politicians tend to ride through negative news cycles, with many fellow Republicans calling on him to resign. He has denied allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with the staff member.
The aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, was employed by Mr. Gonzales at his district office in Uvalde when he began sending her “sexual texts” in 2024 and sought a relationship with her, according to a lawyer for her husband, Bobby Barrera, who reviewed the messages.
Mr. Gonzales is a third-term congressman from an increasingly conservative border district that stretches from San Antonio to El Paso. In 2024, he narrowly won victory, by 400 votes, over Mr. Herrera, who has made a name for himself as a conservative social media influencer, drawing millions of views over his pro-Second Amendment stances.
Mr. Gonzales has accused Mr. Herrera of orchestrating the accusations. Mr. Herrera used the scandal to garner support from several House Republicans, but was unable to translate it into victory.
U.S. House rules prohibit sexual relationships between elected officials and staff members.
Edgar Sandoval covers Texas for The Times, with a focus on the Latino community and the border with Mexico. He is based in San Antonio.
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