In Texas Republican primaries on March 4, 2026, four-term Rep. Dan Crenshaw lost to challenger Steve Toth, while Rep. Tony Gonzales advanced to a May 26 runoff against gun influencer Brandon Herrera. Gonzales faces a new House ethics investigation over alleged sexual misconduct with a former staffer, highlighting GOP internal tensions.
The Texas GOP primaries on March 4, 2026, produced key upsets and ongoing battles for two incumbents. In Texas's 2nd District, Rep. Dan Crenshaw was defeated by state Rep. Steve Toth, who campaigned as a more conservative alternative. Toth garnered support from Sen. Ted Cruz, who appeared in an ad saying, "You deserve an unwavering fighter, a Republican who walks the walk." Crenshaw, the only Texas GOP incumbent lacking former President Donald Trump's endorsement, had criticized Trump's refusal to accept 2020 election results. The redrawn district leans safely Republican, positioning Toth for a general election win.
In the 23rd District, Rep. Tony Gonzales failed to win a majority and will face challenger Brandon Herrera—known online as “TheAKGuy”—in a May 26 runoff. The results came amid scrutiny over allegations of an affair with former staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in September 2025. Explicit text messages from Gonzales to Santos-Aviles were published by the San Antonio Express-News (NPR could not independently verify them). Gonzales has denied wrongdoing and did not respond to NPR on the matter.
The day after the primary, the House Ethics Committee launched a formal probe into Gonzales for alleged sexual misconduct toward a congressional employee and unfair favoritism. House rules bar sexual relationships between lawmakers and staff. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Gonzales deserves due process: "As in every case like this, you have to allow the investigations to play out and all the facts to come out."
These outcomes underscore divisions in the Texas GOP over ideological purity, Trump loyalty, and personal conduct.
