Gun rights 'absolutist' clears path to GOP nod after Gonzales exit
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales abruptly announced he will not seek reelection after admitting to an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide, clearing the way for gun rights advocate Brendan Herrera to secure the Republican nomination in Texas’ 23rd congressional district.
- Brendan Herrera, known as “The AK Guy” for his gun-related videos, has positioned himself as a “Second Amendment Absolutist” and criticized Gonzales’ support for gun safety legislation, but faces criticism for controversial comments and jokes related to the Holocaust.
- Democrats hope to capitalize on Herrera’s controversial profile to win the deep red district, but Republicans remain confident given the district’s strong GOP lean and President Trump’s previous endorsement of Gonzales.
