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Scandal-plagued Texas congressman forced into runoff rematch — after barely escaping defeat last time

Herrera received the larger share of the primary vote but, like Gonzales, fell short of a majority and will compete in the runoff.

Scandal-plagued Texas congressman forced into runoff rematch — after barely escaping defeat last time
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Outlet credibilityBlaze Media50/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
Mar 4, 2026
tl;dr

Tony Gonzales and Brandon Herrera will meet in a May 26 runoff after neither won more than half the vote in their Texas primary. The race follows scrutiny of Gonzales over allegations involving a former staffer and leaked texts.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Herrera in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Herrera’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

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Republican House candidate challenging Gonzales in the Texas primary and runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Tony Gonzales
Former U.S. Representative (R-TX)

Texas representative seeking reelection and facing a runoff against Brandon Herrera

Gonzales's version of this story ↗

Representative who predicted Gonzales would lose

Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

House Speaker who endorsed Gonzales

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Gonzales

Representative who endorsed Herrera

Elijah Crane
R · AZ-2

Representative who endorsed Herrera

Chip Roy
R · TX-21

Representative who endorsed Herrera

Steve Scalise
R · LA-1

House Majority Leader who endorsed Gonzales

Tom Emmer
R · MN-6

House Majority Whip who endorsed Gonzales

Representative who endorsed Herrera

ALSO MENTIONED  Regina Santos-Aviles, Former Gonzales staffer whose death and alleged relationship with him are discussed

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
Brandon Herrera and Tony Gonzales Advance to Texas GOP Runoff

Brandon Herrera and Rep. Tony Gonzales advanced to a Texas Republican primary runoff after neither won a majority. Left-leaning outlets place the result amid allegations and calls from some House Republicans for Gonzales to resign or end his campaign. Center outlets pair the result with attributed allegations; KTBB also reports a House Ethics Committee inquiry. Right-leaning outlets use sharper scandal-focused headlines, while AmmoLand also presents Herrera as a gun-rights challenger.

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