Staff Reports
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) is in hot water with his hard-right Republican colleagues after his appearance on CNN this past weekend. His comments have sparked more endorsements for his primary opponents in the upcoming runoff against Brandon Herrera.
During his CNN appearance, Gonzales referred to Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Bob Good (R-VA) as “scumbags” he serves with in Congress. This has not sat well with his colleagues, especially because Gaetz and Good have endorsed Herrera. Since making these remarks, it seems more of Gonzales’s colleagues are leaning towards supporting his primary challenger.
One of his colleagues, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), took to social media to express his disbelief and disappointment in Gonzales’s comments. He even went as far as endorsing Herrera and criticizing Gonzales’s behavior. Punchbowl News reported that Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) is also planning on endorsing Herrera, while Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) is considering doing the same.
Despite the backlash from fellow Republicans, Gonzales is not backing down. He is even scheduled to have House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) appear at a fundraiser alongside him in Texas. Johnson has urged Republicans not to endorse primary challengers to GOP incumbents, but it looks like his request has fallen on deaf ears.
