From the Daily Caller: New polling shows incumbent Republican Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales on defense with challenger Brandon Herrera taking the lead in a key House primary, according to a new Political Intelligence (PI) poll obtained by the Daily Caller.
The PI poll, conducted between Dec. 17 and Dec. 22, 2025, asked “likely Republican primary election voters” who they would support if the race in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District were held immediately.
Of the 422 likely Republican primary voters surveyed, 29% said they would vote for Gonzales, with 11% indicating they are “leaning” toward the incumbent. Gonzales’ most competitive challenger, Herrera — an entrepreneur and Second Amendment activist — polled at 33%, with 22% saying they would “definitely” vote for him and another 11% leaning in his favor.
The poll also asked voters how they would respond if only the top two candidates appeared on the primary ballot. In that scenario, 34% said they would vote for Gonzales — including 23% who said they would “definitely” support him — while 43% backed Herrera, with 32% saying they would “definitely” vote for the challenger. Another 23% of respondents said they were “undecided.”
President Donald Trump had endorsed Gonzales in a post on Truth Social in mid-December.
However, Gonzales came under fire earlier last fall, after voters learned of his alleged affair with Regina Santos-Aviles, a staffer of his who died after setting herself on fire in her Uvalde, Texas, backyard in September. Gonzales has denied the rumors he had an affair with Santos-Aviles.
Based on the latest polls, it appears Brandon Herrera has a good chance of beating Gonzales in the GOP primary.
BREAKING PER DAILY CALLER:
Texas 23 primary poll shows Brandon Herrera beating incumbent Tony Gonzales
Brandon Herrera- 33%
Tony Gonzales- 29%
Quick Canseco- 2%
Keith Barton- 2% pic.twitter.com/Kz72Ga5hdr— Kathy Barnette (@Kathy4Truth) February 13, 2026
Early voting starts Tuesday, the 17th!
Reminder: YRT has endorsed Brandon Herrera for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District! pic.twitter.com/y0TGTSK6pe
— Young Republicans of Texas (@YRsOfTexas) February 13, 2026
READ MORE from the Daily Caller.
EXCLUSIVE: Poll Shows GOP Challenger Overtaking Texas Incumbent In Key House Primary: ‘Texas is tired of woke Tony Gonzales.’ https://t.co/r4Eotqi3VO
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 13, 2026
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