Gonzales unveils $786k ad buy as conservatives line up behind primary opponent
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) unveiled a $786,000 TV buy, with the first ad focused on veterans, as conservatives to his right line up behind his primary opponent, social media influencer Brandon Herrera.
Gonzales, who has faced criticism from hard-right GOP members after personally attacking them on national TV, is looking to secure his reelection in Texas’ 23rd Congress Congressional District runoff contest slated for May 28.
On Tuesday, the moderate Republican showcased his campaign's ad, where he touts the support from veterans, and he goes after Herrera's remarks regarding service member suicides.
"I was awarded a Purple Heart in Iraq, but the war followed me home," the first veteran says in the 30-second ad. "Veteran suicide is real. If you listen to Brandon Herrera, he thinks that's a joke."
The ad then shows an excerpt from Herrera’s February appearance on the “Unsubscribe” podcast where the Second Amendment activist says "If it makes everyone in the room feel better, I often think about putting a gun in my mouth. So, I'm basically an honorary veteran."
"If Brandon Herrera won't support veterans, he has no business representing us in Congress," another veteran says in Gonzales' ad. "Tony Gonzales is a veteran. Tony Gonzales stood up for us in the Middle East; now he is standing up against Joe Biden here on the border. That's why veterans stand with Tony Gonzales."
Gonzales told reporters about the six-figure ad buy during a press conference on Tuesday.
Herrera instantly accused Gonzales of cherry picking the line out of context and argued his campaign rakes in more money from veterans than the Texas lawmaker, who was elected to Congress in 2020.
“It’s honestly disgraceful to see you take one line purposefully out of context, and use it to diminish all of the work me and my friends have done for the veteran community here,” Herrera said in a Tuesday post on the social media platform X. “I guarantee we’ve raised more for veterans than you ever have, and that’s a promise. Shame on you.”
In addition to touting his background as a two-decade-plus veteran, Gonzales touched on how the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border is a "major" issue in this race.
"I've hosted over 200 Members of Congress, heck I even hosted the richest man on earth, Elon Musk, to bring highlight for what is happening," he said during the press conference. "I think in many cases, that is a reason why Border Patrol Council is endorsing me and why I have the support of the men and women in green."
Gonzales drew fire on himself when he went after two of his hard-right conference colleagues during his appearance on CNN.
“It’s my absolute honor to be in Congress, but I serve with some real scumbags,” he said when talking about Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Bob Good (R-Va.) on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“Matt Gaetz, he paid minors to have sex with them at drug parties,” he said. “Bob Good endorsed my opponent, a known neo-Nazi. These people used to walk around with white hoods at night. Now they’re walking around with white hoods in the daytime.”
In response, Gaetz re-upped his endorsement of Herrera. Good also backed his challenger and slammed the incumbent’s voting record.
“It is not surprising that one of the most liberal RINOs in Congress, who has egregiously fought real border security, and votes like a Democrat, would resort to the Dem playbook in screaming ‘racism,” Good said.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) held a fundraiser with Gonzales last week. The event raised $300,000, according to Gonzales’ campaign.
Gonzales has been in hardliners' crosshairs for some time since opting to vote for all four components of the foreign aid package, a tranche of bills hardline members criticized.
While Gonzales did not directly address the attacks from House members during the Tuesday press conference, he stated the crisis at the southern border is something he paid attention to for some time, longer before it was in the brightest spotlight.
“No one knew where Eagle Pass was, it wasn't a whole lot of infrastructure and then all of a sudden, that's where all the people were going,” Gonzales said. “Nobody knew about Arizona, right? No one was talking about Arizona a year and a half ago and then all of a sudden Arizona became the hotspot.”
“So in my district, we live in every day.”
“One of the things that I've been pushing for is not just rhetoric but also results and ultimately end this border crisis,” he said.
Going into the final stages of the runoff, Gonzales enjoys a money advantage, currently having over $1.5 million cash-on-hand, according to the latest Federal Election Commission reports, while Herrera has a tick over $302,000.
This story was updated at 7:43 p.m.
Date: |
Filter
-
Election battle lines drawn up
Plus, a row over graduate visas could leave UK universities fighting for their futureFinancial Times - World -
Russia and Ukraine Engage in Dueling Air Assaults Behind the Front Lines
Both sides have been looking for ways to inflict damage beyond the battlefield, targeting military logistics hubs and urban centers.The New York Times - World - Ukraine -
Drake Bell unveils one reason behind his 'Quiet on Set' revelation: His toddler son
Drake Bell says processing and coming forward about sexual abuse he endured from Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck will make him 'stronger' for his son.Los Angeles Times - Entertainment -
Can Jets' revamped O-line protect Aaron Rodgers? Why veteran QB is in position to thrive behind upgraded unit
The Jets' offensive line will play a big part in keeping Aaron Rodgers healthyCBS Sports - Sports -
In Saudi Arabia, an all-women psychedelic rock band jams out as its conservative society loosens up
As Saudi Arabia liberalizes some aspects of its society, an all-women psychedelic rock band that recently performed in the kingdom's capital is an example showing some Saudi women are now finding their voice through the artsABC News - Entertainment -
Tony Gonzales, Brandon Herrera and the Future of the GOP
A moderate congressman faces a runoff against an edgy YouTuber in a solid but not quite safe Republican district.The Wall Street Journal - World -
Cathie Wood’s ETFs have been buying up stock in this online-gaming company
Roblox’s stock has tumbled in the wake of the company’s disappointing quarterly earnings report, but Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest seems to believe that makes them much more attractive.MarketWatch - Business -
The School-Choice Primary Runoffs in Texas
Gov. Abbott needs to turn a few more seats to beat the teachers union.The Wall Street Journal - World -
Olivares, Gonzales homer to lead Pirates to 5-4 win over Cubs
Edward Olivares and Nick Gonzales homered, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 5-4ABC News - Sports - MLB -
Marchand: Injuring opponents 'part of playoffs'
Bruins captain Brad Marchand said Panthers center Sam Bennett "got away with one" when he struck Marchand's head in Game 3, but that opponents seeking to injure each other is just a part of playoff hockey.ESPN - Sports
More from The Hill
-
Cruz seeks to blunt Democratic attacks with IVF bill
Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), a staunchly anti-abortion Republican, introduced a bill this week he said is aimed at protecting in-vitro fertilization (IVF), the latest sign the GOP feels vulnerable on reproductive rights and is trying to shore itself up ...The Hill - Politics -
Dems hammer Netanyahu for Gaza strategy: ‘Screwing his own people’
House Democrats are bashing Israel’s wartime strategy in Gaza, warning that the military approach adopted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will only empower the Hamas militants he’s targeting at the expense of Israel’s long-term security. The ...The Hill - Politics -
Netanyahu: ICC warrants like charging Roosevelt and Churchill during WWII
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor’s requests for arrest warrants for himself alongside Hamas officials to charging former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and former United ...The Hill - Politics -
AI could soon help with ER admissions, study finds
Doctors working in emergency departments might soon be able to use artificial intelligence to help determine which patients should be admitted to the hospital, according to a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of American Medical ...The Hill - Politics - Artificial Intelligence -
NC Republican to undergo surgery for tumor near brain
Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) will undergo surgery to remove a tumor near his brain, the lawmaker announced Tuesday. Murphy, 61, said following a series of tests and scans, he was diagnosed with a pituitary macroadenoma, or a tumor at the base of his ...The Hill - Politics