Uvalde's Republican congressman juggles a contentious primary election while planning to eliminate right-wing "anarchists."
In a conversation with CNN, the second-term Texan GOP congressman mentioned that the result of the upcoming duel versus firearms activist Brandon Herrera would indicate a significant statement to Republicans amid a turbulent internal disagreement that has driven out a speaker, clogged the program, and agitated relations all through the House GOP Conference.
“Will we be the party that governs and accomplishes things in a conservative fashion? Or will we be the party that has clowns who show up here and utter amusing, rough comments and just aim to destroy the place?” Gonzales questioned.
Gonzales' runoff highlights the substantial split within the minuscule GOP in the House, where the hard-right members have become more brave and prepared to undermine their party's pledge if they sense any agreement with Democrats. This conflict is arising in GOP primary competitions across the nation, and the outcomes of these races will significantly influence the compass of the House Republican Conference and the agenda it performs in the upcoming Congress. Gonzales' race has become a critical battleground for this dispute.
Gonzales, who represents a district containing Uvalde, a locality that suffered one of the most firm school shootings two years prior, later supported a bipartisan gun safety measure that came to be a key point in Herrera's campaign against him. Gonzales stated, "I don't regret any actions I've taken."
"There must be a change," he blurted, mentioning his constituents were crying out for action and that even his children sport body armor backpacks to school. "It's unfair."
However, that vote has provoked criticism on the right - on top of how he managed the negotiations over a Republican immigration plan the previous year that became grating and still holds a grudge among some hardliners. Furthermore, the unpleasantness Gonzales has directed has fired his GOP detractors further.
"He is a RINO-establishment moderate on the cusp of being removed from office by his constituents who will vote for Brandon Herrera," Greatest Representative Bob Good, who directs the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, was mocked by Gonzales as one of the "lowlifes" in Congress.
Gonzales, if triumphant on Tuesday, intends to respond by rallying in the seats of Good and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, both of whom are supporting Herrera and also spearheaded the input to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker late in 2022. Gonzales asserted that following Tuesday, he'll endeavor to expel troublemaking members from the party.
“I'm going to cope with a large amount of my time in Pensacola,” Gonzales stated, referring to Gaetz's home within the Florida Panhandle. “I'm going to spend considerable time in Virginia and several of these other places. So I think my race is just the initiative," Gonzales continued. "You can hurl all the stuff you have at me. You can't conquer me, though."
Herrera passed up providing an interview for this article.
Tons of Cash is being put into the Texas contest
Gonzales' boundless district - which encompasses the border with Mexico - is now regarded as one of the priciest House primaries in the country, with over $8 million spent on TV commercials. This tension is part of a wider inclination among House GOP members to purge their other colleagues in their primaries, albeit that has frequently been identified as a severe breach of rule.
“It's never decent to shoot inside the tent,” appraised Gonzales, 43, a military serviceman who has been in Congress since 2021.
Thus far, sturdy-right applicants have been unsuccessful in vanquishing their more moderate counterparts this season. A strategy to oust GOP Representative Don Bacon in Nebraska failed earlier this month when he triumphed over his conservative challenger, Dan Frei, who obtained assistance from Good. In Illinois, GOP Representative Mike Bost defeated his competitor after Gaetz attempted to bolster his opposition, a conflict that led Speaker Mike Johnson to implore former President Donald Trump to back Bost.
In South Carolina, they're gathering around conservative State Representative Adam Morgan, who is striving to take down Rep. William Timmons in the June 11 primary. In Virginia, middle-right Republicans and McCarthy are attempting some payback in fostering Republican challenger John McGuire before the June 18 primary against Good, one of the eight Republicans who voted to dismiss McCarthy last fall.
On the eve of the race, supporters of Gonzales are jubilant yet conscious that low-turnout runoffs make such contests challenging to calculate.
“It'll only escalate the complications in the House,” expounded Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, commenting on a possible Herrera success. “I don't perceive him being a handy member of Congress, and (he) will be a catalyst for anarchy.”
GOP Rep. Richard Hudson, the manager of the National Republican Congressional Committee, claimed: “I wish Republicans would focus on beating Democrats and broadening the majority. However, whenever an officeholder is in a runoff primary, we're concerned, and I'm tremendously convinced that Tony will prevail.”
GOP Rep. Max Miller of Ohio said he thinks it's "disgusting" that Gaetz is assaulting Gonzales.
Miller said, "There are more than 200 Republicans who need to collaborate daily." If you're in a situation where you need to work with someone on a bill to advance the country in a reasonable manner, and they're attempting to replace you simply because you're not fanatical enough, it's perplexing.
Gonzales' 2022 gun safety legislation vote in response to the Uvalde school shooting has angered hard-liners, which is partly to blame for the issues with him. Additionally, Gonzales had disagreements with the right wing while negotiating the House Republicans' immigration plan, even though he backed the final product. In 2022, the Texas Republican also supportedcodifying same-sex marriage against a minority of his party.
Gaetz, a fellow Texas Republican, has remained neutral in the primary. When asked about Gonzales calling him a "scumbag," Gaetz said, "The personal insults towards me won't solve any issues for Texas voters."
Gonzales' statements caused some backlash, upsetting GOP Rep. Eli Crane, who endorsed Herrera and deemed Gonzales' comments "garbage."
Crane told CNN that the fight between the largely conservative House Freedom Caucus and the moderates within the conference is difficult. "That's why my voters sent me here to alter how this town functions," said Crane. "I don't think we'll change it with individuals like Tony."
Gonzales maintained that he stands by his criticism of certain colleagues.
"Not all of them are rewarding people; some are scumbags," Gonzales said. He refused to name other individuals but mentioned some, claiming these people "are not MAGA folks" or "basic anarchists."
In El Paso, Gonzales was when he received information regarding the Uvalde school shooting that claimed 19 children and two teachers. He visited Uvalde the same night after speaking to the sheriff there.
Two years later, Gonzales said progress is necessary but noted some positive advancements.
"Regardless of what you do, some people will never be satisfied. Moreover, I will never compromise to these people. I will do what seems right," Gonzales asserted.
Herrera, a YouTube star with a massive following, is campaigning to remove Gonzales in the runoff and using his vote in favor of the gun safety bill as an argument for his electability. However, Gonzales said he "received numerous phone calls" following the Uvalde massacre, including demands for change without violating the Second Amendment.
Herrera, a proponent of gun rights, highlighted Gonzales' support of the gun-safety legislation to strengthen his primary campaign.
The legislation, which failed to pass, included expanded background checks for individuals aged 18–21, money for school security and mental health programs, tougher penalties for human trafficking, and grants for states to implement "red flag" laws.
Despite the criticism, Gonzales defended his stance.
"Crazy individuals should not have access to guns under any circumstances," he contended.
According to Gonzales, voters are furious for valid reasons. "Will they react angrily and cause destruction, or will they seek solutions and reduce anger through results?" Gonzales questioned.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
