Tony Gonzales | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 23rd district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Will Hurd |
Personal details | |
Born | Ernest Anthony Gonzales October 10, 1980 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Angel Gonzales |
Children | 6 |
Education | Chaminade University (AA) Excelsior College (BS) American Public University (MA) University of Southern Mississippi |
Website | House website Campaign website |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1999–2019 |
Rank | Master Chief Petty Officer |
Unit | Cryptologic Technician |
Battles/wars | Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
Ernest Anthony Gonzales II[1] (born October 10, 1980)[2] is an American politician and United States Navy veteran who has served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 23rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2021.[3] He is a member of the Republican Party.
Gonzales is considered a conservative Republican [4], having won his first term in 2020 with President Trump's support and, now, Gonzales has endorsed President Trump for President in the 2024 election.[5]
Gonzales, who represents over 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, [6] is known for being a strong advocate for increasing border security.[7] Additionally, Gonzales is known as a strong Pro-Life Congressman [8] and an avid supporter of veteran issues. [9]
Gonzales was raised in San Antonio, Devine, and Camp Wood, Texas.[10][11] He earned an Associate of Arts from Chaminade University, a Bachelor of Science from Excelsior College, a graduate certificate in legislative studies from Georgetown University, and a Master of Arts from American Public University.[2] He is in a PhD program at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he has specialized in international development, security studies, and international politics.[12]
From 1999 to 2019, Gonzales served in the United States Navy, retiring with the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. A trained cryptologist, Gonzales was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He was also stationed in Tampa, Florida; Pensacola, Florida; Kāneʻohe Bay; and San Antonio, and assigned to the United States Navy Office of Legislative Affairs.[13][14]
Gonzales served as a Department of Defense fellow in the office of Senator Marco Rubio and also worked as an assistant professor of political science at the University of Maryland.[15][16]
See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas § District 23 |
Gonzales ran for Texas's 23rd congressional district in the 2020 election. The seat was open, as three-term Republican incumbent Will Hurd did not seek reelection. In the Republican primary, Gonzales narrowly defeated Raul Reyes after a recount. During the primary, Gonzales was endorsed by Hurd and President Donald Trump.[17] In the November general election, Gonzales defeated Democratic nominee Gina Ortiz Jones.[18] The result was considered an upset, as most forecasters believed that the Democrats were favored to flip the district after Hurd announced his retirement.[19] Gonzales's term in office began on January 3, 2021.[20][21][22][23]
See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas § District 23 |
Gonzales ran for reelection in 2022. Gonzales ran for re-election in 2022, winning his primary with 78% of the vote and the general election with 55.87% against Democrat John Lira and Independent candidate Frank Lopez Jr.
See also: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas § District 23 |
Tony Gonzales faced several Primary challengers and finished first in the March 5th Primary Election. [24] Gonzales went on to defeat Brandon Herrera in the May 28th Runoff Election. [25]
Gonzales voted against impeaching Trump after the events of January 6, 2021, saying that the nation needed to heal and that he looked forward to working with President Biden to do that.[26]
Like all other Senate and House Republicans, Gonzales voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.[27]
On November 5, 2021, Gonzales voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, along with all but thirteen House Republicans. He published a press release on November 6, 2021, saying, "Last night, I voted against the infrastructure bill as it will only lead to more spending for the Democrats and this flailing administration".
Gonzales was a strong supporter of the Secure the Border Act, a bill described by several House Republicans as "the strongest border security bill ever passed out of Congress." [28]
Gonzales describes himself as pro-life. He co-sponsored the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2021 (H.R. 18), which aims to codify the Hyde Amendment banning federal funding for abortions.[34][35]
Gonzales has cited cybersecurity as "a top priority in Congress" and has supported increased funding for Texan infrastructure against acts of cyberterrorism or ransomware.[36]
During the Russo-Ukrainian War, Gonzales signed a letter urging President Biden to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.[37]
Gonzales supported amending the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act to remove a proposed red flag law provision. He and other House Republicans signed a letter that argued the provision would infringe on Second Amendment rights and allow "military judges and magistrates to issue military court gun confiscation orders."[38]
Gonzales supports keeping Title 42 expulsion in place and, along with Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra arguing that the removal of Title 42 would encourage illegal immigration at the southern border.[39][40]
Gonzales voted to support Israel following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[41][42]
On July 19, 2022, Gonzales and 46 other House Republicans voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. It would require each state to recognize any marriage performed in another state, and codify same-sex marriage and Obergefell v. Hodges into federal law.[43][44] It was signed into law by President Biden on December 13, 2022.
Gonzales was among the 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[45]
Gonzales and his wife, Angel, have six children.[46] Angel served as the treasurer and custodian of records for Gonzales's campaign.[47] He is a Roman Catholic.[48]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tony Gonzales | 149,395 | 50.6 | |
Democratic | Gina Ortiz Jones | 137,693 | 46.6 | |
Libertarian | Beto Villela | 8,369 | 2.8 | |
Total votes | 295,457 | 100 | ||
Republican hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tony Gonzales (incumbent) | 116,649 | 55.8 | |
Democratic | John Lira | 80,947 | 38.7 | |
Independent | Frank Lopez Jr. | 11,180 | 5.3 | |
Total votes | 208,776 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |