Gonzales Faces West Texas Backlash as Scandal Clouds Reelection Bid

West Texas voters and local leaders are divided over Rep. Tony Gonzales as a scandal involving an alleged affair with a staffer and her death looms over his bid in the 23rd District. Some residents credit him with understanding small-town needs and delivering funding, while many rural Republicans feel he has strayed from district values, complicating his primary challenge from Brandon Herrera. The controversy, along with his voting record on gun laws and same-sex marriage, has intensified scrutiny of whether he can hold the seat spanning from San Antonio to El Paso, especially as West Texas Democrats and conservatives weigh support and opposition ahead of the 2026 primary.