Brandon Herrera Challenges Tony Gonzales for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District in 2026

On August 9, 2025, Brandon Herrera, a prominent YouTube personality and firearms manufacturer known as “The AK Guy,” announced his second bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District for the 2026 election. After a razor-thin loss in the 2024 Republican primary runoff, where Herrera trailed Gonzales by just 407 votes, the pro-gun activist is back, leveraging his massive online following and conservative platform to challenge the incumbent. The sprawling district, stretching from San Antonio to El Paso along the U.S.-Mexico border, remains a battleground for Republican Party dynamics, pitting Herrera’s far-right populism against Gonzales’ more moderate stance. This article explores Herrera’s campaign, the key issues driving the race, and its potential impact on Texas politics.

Background on the Candidates

Brandon Herrera is a YouTube Sensation

Brandon Herrera, a 29-year-old San Antonio resident, has built a national following through his YouTube channel, which boasts 4.4 million subscribers as of August 2025. Born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to a military family with Texas roots, Herrera studied pre-law at Campbell University before dropping out to launch a firearms manufacturing business. His YouTube content, started in 2014, focuses on firearms reviews, political commentary, and provocative humor, often targeting liberal policies and championing Second Amendment rights. Herrera’s 2024 campaign gained traction among conservative voters frustrated with Gonzales’ moderate votes, earning endorsements from figures like Reps. Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, and Eli Crane. Despite his loss, Herrera’s close margin signaled strong support for his anti-establishment message.

Tony Gonzales is the Incumbent Moderate

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a 43-year-old Navy veteran, has represented Texas’ 23rd Congressional District since 2020. Elected after moderate Republican Will Hurd’s retirement, Gonzales has positioned himself as a pragmatic conservative, often breaking with hardline GOP stances. His support for the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a gun safety law passed after the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde (within his district), drew significant criticism from conservative factions, leading to his censure by the Texas Republican Party in 2023. Gonzales also backed same-sex marriage protections and opposed a border security proposal by Rep. Chip Roy, further alienating some GOP voters. Backed by high-profile figures like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Mike Johnson, Gonzales raised over $4.5 million in 2024, dwarfing Herrera’s funds.

The 2024 Race Was A Close Call

The 2024 Republican primary runoff set the stage for this rematch. In the March 2024 primary, Gonzales secured 45.1% of the vote but failed to reach the 50% threshold, forcing a runoff with Herrera, who garnered 24.6%. The May 28 runoff was intensely competitive, with Gonzales edging out Herrera by just 407 votes (50.7% to 49.3%). Herrera’s campaign, despite being outspent four-to-one, capitalized on his online influence and endorsements from far-right GOP figures. He requested a recount in Bexar, El Paso, Medina, and Uvalde counties but ultimately accepted the results, vowing to continue his political fight. The close margin underscored a growing appetite among District 23 voters for a more conservative candidate, emboldening Herrera’s 2026 run.

Key Issues in the 2026 Campaign

Gun Rights and the Second Amendment

Herrera has made gun rights the cornerstone of his campaign, criticizing Gonzales for supporting the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which expanded background checks for gun buyers under 21. Herrera, a staunch Second Amendment advocate, argues that Gonzales’ vote betrayed conservative values, especially in a district that includes Uvalde, where the 2022 school shooting left 21 dead. Gonzales defended his vote as a necessary response to the tragedy, emphasizing enhanced background checks for minors while protecting constitutional rights. Herrera’s YouTube platform, with its focus on firearms, resonates with voters prioritizing unrestricted gun ownership.

Border Security and Immigration

Texas’ 23rd District, covering over 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, makes immigration a critical issue. Herrera has attacked Gonzales for opposing a border security bill by Rep. Chip Roy and for voting to send $40 billion to Ukraine while allegedly neglecting local border issues. Gonzales, representing communities like Eagle Pass and Del Rio, counters that he fights for border security measures in Congress, earning praise from Gov. Abbott for addressing the “dangerous consequences” of federal immigration policies. The candidates’ differing approaches—Herrera’s hardline stance versus Gonzales’ pragmatic efforts—will likely shape voter sentiment.

GOP Ideological Divide

The race highlights a broader rift within the Republican Party. Gonzales, a centrist, has been labeled a “RINO” (Republican in Name Only) by critics like Herrera, who aligns with the party’s far-right wing and figures like Matt Gaetz. The Texas GOP’s 2023 censure of Gonzales and recent rule changes to exclude censured candidates from future ballots signal a push to purge moderates. Herrera’s campaign taps into this sentiment, appealing to anti-establishment voters and Trump supporters. His 2024 endorsements from the House Freedom Caucus and his role as Texas chair for U.S. Term Limits reflect his alignment with conservative populism.

Controversial Rhetoric

Herrera’s provocative online persona has been both an asset and a liability. His YouTube videos, featuring dark humor and comments on topics like veteran suicide and the Holocaust, drew sharp criticism from Gonzales, who called them unfit for Congress. A 2022 video where Herrera goose-stepped while reviewing a Nazi-era gun prompted accusations of glorifying Nazism, though Herrera clarified the remarks as “f—ed up jokes.” Gonzales, a Navy veteran, condemned Herrera’s veteran suicide joke as particularly offensive. These controversies could alienate moderate voters but energize Herrera’s base, who view his humor as a rejection of political correctness.

Campaign Dynamics and Challenges

Herrera’s Strategy

Herrera’s 2026 campaign leverages his online star power, with his August 2025 announcement video nearing a million views in 48 hours. His grassroots approach and social media savvy contrast with Gonzales’ establishment backing. However, Herrera faces challenges overcoming Gonzales’ fundraising advantage, as the incumbent raised $4.5 million in 2024 compared to Herrera’s $700,000. Herrera’s status as a recent transplant from North Carolina has also been a point of attack, with Gonzales labeling him an “East Coast fake.” Community notes on X defending Herrera’s Texas ties and voting record aim to counter these claims.

Gonzales’ Position

Gonzales benefits from strong institutional support, including endorsements from Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and even actor Matthew McConaughey in 2024. His fundraising prowess and focus on delivering results for District 23, such as federal grants for Uvalde, bolster his campaign. However, the close 2024 race suggests vulnerability, particularly as conservative voters demand ideological purity. Political scientist Jon Taylor noted that Gonzales must remain vigilant, as a better-funded challenger could exploit his moderate record.

The District’s Political Landscape

Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, spanning 29 counties, is the state’s largest by land area. Redistricting in 2021 made it more reliably Republican, with Donald Trump’s 2020 margin increasing from 1.7 to 7.1 points under new lines. This shift allows GOP primary voters to back more conservative candidates without risking a general election loss. Democrat Santos Limon, who faced Gonzales in 2024, raised only $88,000 and lacked support from national Democratic groups, underscoring the district’s GOP lean. The 2026 general election is likely to favor the Republican nominee, making the primary the decisive battle.

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