Texas’ District 23 Pits RINO Against Popular Gun Rights Champion

February 25, 2026
11:05 am

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In the scorching heat of Texas politics, District 23's Republican primary runoff has exploded into a full-throated showdown between establishment complacency and unapologetic Second Amendment fire. Incumbent Tony Gonzales, often branded a RINO for his vote on the Biden-era Bipartisan Safer Communities Act—a bloated $13 billion package masquerading as common sense reform but packing red-flag provisions, enhanced background checks, and funding for gun confiscation wish lists—barely clung to his seat against challenger Brandon Herrera. The pro-gun YouTuber, known to millions as The AK Guy for his no-BS breakdowns of firearms history and his viral AK-50 project, surged on a wave of grassroots fury, forcing Gonzales into a nail-biter that he won by just a few thousand votes amid swirling scandals like alleged ethics lapses and cozying up to Democrat priorities. This isn't just a local dust-up; it's a microcosm of the GOP's internal civil war, where bipartisan often means bipartisan betrayal of the Bill of Rights. Herrera's near-upset underscores a seismic shift in the 2A community: the old guard's days of tepid defense are numbered as digital warriors like him mobilize Gen-Z and millennial shooters who cut their teeth on YouTube ranges rather than dusty NRA banquets. Gonzales' support for the Safer Communities Act—passed in the emotional wake of Uvalde—didn't just greenlight nine new federal gun control measures; it signaled to gun owners that even safe red districts aren't immune to the incremental creep toward confiscation. Herrera, polling strong with AK-pattern enthusiasts and Fudds alike, tapped into that raw anger, proving social media clout translates to votes when the message is molon labe. His concession doesn't dim the spark—he's already vowing to keep the pressure on, potentially eyeing future runs or national advocacy. For the 2A faithful, the implications are crystal clear: primaries are the real battleground, where RINOs like Gonzales can be primaried into oblivion if we show up. District 23's razor-thin margin (under 2 points) screams vulnerability in November's general, especially with scandals eroding Gonzales' armor against a Democrat challenger. This race is a rallying cry—fund the fighters, shun the squishes, and remember that every bipartisan compromise today is tomorrow's assault weapons ban. Texas, the heart of gun culture, just reminded the nation: the right to keep and bear arms isn't negotiable, and YouTube rifles might just reload the revolution. Stay vigilant, shooters—2026 is coming fast.

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In the scorching heat of Texas politics, District 23’s Republican primary runoff has exploded into a full-throated showdown between establishment complacency and unapologetic Second Amendment fire. Incumbent Tony Gonzales, often branded a RINO for his vote on the Biden-era Bipartisan Safer Communities Act—a bloated $13 billion package masquerading as common sense reform but packing red-flag provisions, enhanced background checks, and funding for gun confiscation wish lists—barely clung to his seat against challenger Brandon Herrera. The pro-gun YouTuber, known to millions as The AK Guy for his no-BS breakdowns of firearms history and his viral AK-50 project, surged on a wave of grassroots fury, forcing Gonzales into a nail-biter that he won by just a few thousand votes amid swirling scandals like alleged ethics lapses and cozying up to Democrat priorities. This isn’t just a local dust-up; it’s a microcosm of the GOP’s internal civil war, where bipartisan often means bipartisan betrayal of the Bill of Rights.

Herrera’s near-upset underscores a seismic shift in the 2A community: the old guard’s days of tepid defense are numbered as digital warriors like him mobilize Gen-Z and millennial shooters who cut their teeth on YouTube ranges rather than dusty NRA banquets. Gonzales’ support for the Safer Communities Act—passed in the emotional wake of Uvalde—didn’t just greenlight nine new federal gun control measures; it signaled to gun owners that even safe red districts aren’t immune to the incremental creep toward confiscation. Herrera, polling strong with AK-pattern enthusiasts and Fudds alike, tapped into that raw anger, proving social media clout translates to votes when the message is molon labe. His concession doesn’t dim the spark—he’s already vowing to keep the pressure on, potentially eyeing future runs or national advocacy.

For the 2A faithful, the implications are crystal clear: primaries are the real battleground, where RINOs like Gonzales can be primaried into oblivion if we show up. District 23’s razor-thin margin (under 2 points) screams vulnerability in November’s general, especially with scandals eroding Gonzales’ armor against a Democrat challenger. This race is a rallying cry—fund the fighters, shun the squishes, and remember that every bipartisan compromise today is tomorrow’s assault weapons ban. Texas, the heart of gun culture, just reminded the nation: the right to keep and bear arms isn’t negotiable, and YouTube rifles might just reload the revolution. Stay vigilant, shooters—2026 is coming fast.

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