Texas GOP Congressman Steps Down, Gun Rights Advocate Set to Take Over

A Texas Republican congressman's withdrawal from his reelection race following a personal scandal has opened the door for a controversial gun rights supporter. The candidate, known online as 'The AK Guy,' now faces no primary opposition in the heavily Republican district.

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas congressman’s unexpected withdrawal from his reelection campaign has positioned a controversial firearms enthusiast to claim the Republican nomination in a massive congressional district spanning the state’s border region.

Brendan Herrera, age 30, first became well-known through online videos featuring himself firing various weapons while using the moniker ‘The AK Guy.’ Two years ago, he narrowly lost to incumbent Representative Tony Gonzales but managed to push the race to a runoff in this week’s primary election.

On Thursday evening, Gonzales announced his exit from the race following his acknowledgment of an extramarital relationship with a former employee who subsequently took her own life. This development leaves Herrera without any Republican opposition in Texas’s 23rd congressional district.

Democratic candidates are hoping to capitalize on the situation by portraying Herrera as an extreme right-wing candidate, though they face significant challenges in a solidly conservative district that extends 800 miles along the Mexican border.

‘I appreciate Tony Gonzales for making the appropriate decision,’ Herrera said in a statement. ‘I look forward to being the voice of TX23 that our district deserves.’

After relocating from North Carolina to Texas in 2020, Herrera amassed millions of followers through YouTube content showcasing firearms testing at shooting ranges. He identifies as a ‘Second Amendment Absolutist’ and has been highly critical of Gonzales’s backing of gun control measures following the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, located within their district.

Herrera has drawn scrutiny for controversial remarks regarding the Holocaust. During a 2022 video, he referred to a German submachine gun as ‘the original ghetto blaster’ while performing goose-stepping movements to German music.

In the same footage, while shooting at a White Claw beverage can, a masked companion asks Herrera whether he’s ‘hiding any White Claw underneath the floorboards?’

Herrera responds affirmatively before yelling, ‘Gestapo right there!’ and firing at a case of drinks. He then remarks, ‘they did not see that coming,’ deliberately pronouncing ‘not see’ to sound like ‘Nazi.’

The video later shows Herrera stating, ‘I’m not really a big fan of fascism,’ while claiming his comments were historical humor.

Democratic candidate Katy Padilla Scott, a former educator, quickly condemned Herrera over the controversial footage Friday morning.

‘Parents I talk to in #TX23, particularly those in Uvalde, are disgusted that this man could represent our families in Congress,’ Padilla Scott wrote on social media.

However, Republican officials remain confident about retaining the seat and dismiss Democratic chances of capturing it with Herrera as their nominee.

‘Texas’ 23rd District is deep red, and Democrats know it,’ stated Christian Martinez, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee. ‘While they talk a big game in Washington, they don’t even have a credible recruit and are too busy defending their own vulnerable members across Texas to compete here.’

Texas Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser suggested his party must weigh whether Herrera creates unnecessary complications during a challenging midterm cycle.

The party prefers to consider the district ‘in the bag and off the board,’ he explained, but ‘it probably won’t be.’

‘They’re going to take a look at this one,’ Steinhauser noted. ‘Does it hurt the Republican Party to support this particular candidate?’

The district ranks as the nation’s second-largest and served as a consistent congressional battleground until redistricting occurred in 2021. It became a Republican stronghold in 2024 when former President Donald Trump won the area by almost 15 percentage points.

Trump had previously backed Gonzales. Recently, an attorney representing the former president issued a ‘cease and desist’ notice to Herrera’s campaign, alleging they distributed misleading campaign materials featuring Trump’s likeness.

Support for Gonzales deteriorated amid the controversy surrounding his affair and the woman’s suicide, with House Republican leadership pressuring him to abandon his campaign.

Gonzales indicated he will complete his current term, helping his party preserve its narrow House majority.