Scandal-plagued Rep. Tony Gonzales forced to runoff

Gonzales, who was accused of having an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide, will face influencer Brandon Herrera in a May 26 runoff.

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) speaks during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, on Feb. 10, 2026. | Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Scandal-embroiled Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) on Tuesday was forced into a runoff election after weeks of backlash to reports alleging he had an affair with a former staffer, who later took her own life.

He will face Brandon Herrera — a 2nd Amendment influencer who goes by “TheAKGuy” on social media — in late May. That sets them up for yet another expensive and prolonged contest like they experienced in 2024, when Gonzales prevailed by one percentage point.

Gonzales, who has represented the west Texas district since 2021, has faced calls to resign from several of his GOP colleagues after new evidence emerged of his alleged affair. Gonzales previously denied the affair and repeatedly said he would not step down.

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