Gaetz campaigns for far-right TX candidate over his GOP colleague — despite leaders’ 'pleas' not to

14 March 2024

During US Rep. Matt Gaetz' (R-FL) campaign to oust US Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from the House speakership last summer, he was heavily criticized by some of his House Republican members. When his campaign was successful — leaving the position open for weeks — Gaetz continued to face backlash.

The Sunshine State leader stands firm in his beliefs and doesn't back down — even if he's alone.

Politico reports on Thursday Gaetz spent the evening in Texas campaigning with "pro-gun social media influencer" Brandon Herrera, who's challenging US Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) in the state's primary.

The Florida lawmaker attended the event, Politico notes, "despite leadership pleas to avoid messy infighting," and he "went so far as to quote a post from Axios about these entreaties, directing attention instead to opposition from some Republicans to Ukraine aid."

The Florida lawmaker wrote via X (formerly Twitter), "In other news — Grassroots Republicans plead with House GOP leaders to stop sending money to Ukraine."

Gonzales was censured by Texas Republicans in 2023 over a vote for gun legislation that ultimately split the party.

The Texas Tribune reported, "The original censure resolution came from Medina County, which is west of San Antonio and part of Gonzales' 23rd District. It cited his support for the bipartisan gun law that passed last year, as well as his vote for a bill codifying protections for same-sex marriage. The resolution also pointed to his vote against the House rules package in January and his opposition to a border security bill being pushed by fellow Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Austin."

Doubling-down on his vote despite criticism from GOP colleagues, Gonzales even said, "I would vote twice on it if I could."

The San Antonio Current reports, Herrera — who takes a different political approach than Gonzales — said to an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 100 people, "You know, I saw a statistic that last year more fentanyl came across the Southern border by weight than would be required to kill the entire population of the planet — or [the weight of] about 26 Austin feminists,"

Additionally, the San Antonio Current's report notes, "Thursday's dig at women is only the latest inflammatory statement from Herrera, a YouTube personality who's made outrageous remarks part of his political brand. During his campaign, Herrera has poked fun at veteran suicides, mocked former President Donald Trump's 17-year-old son Barron as looking like a 'long ventriloquist-like dummy' and expressed doubts Trump can win in November."

Politico's full report is available at this link. San Antonio Current's report is here.

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