Five candidates are running in the Republican primary for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District on March 5, 2024. Four lead in fundraising, endorsements, and media attention: incumbent Tony Gonzales (R), Victor Avila (R), Julie Clark (R), and Brandon Herrera (R).
The Republican Party of Texas censured Gonzales in March 2023, saying his votes in support of same-sex marriage and in favor of additional firearms restrictions violated the party’s principles. The resolution also said Gonzales’ lack of support for a bill that would have placed additional limits on individuals in the country without legal permission violated party principles. Gonzales was the first person Texas Republicans censured since then-Texas House Speaker Joe Straus (R) ahead of the 2018 legislative primaries.
Gonzales, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, was first elected in 2020. He says he has a record of delivering for the district and would continue to deliver if re-elected, mentioning border security as a priority.
