Texas GOP misses the mark on censure plan

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales won reelection this past November with 56 percent of the vote. His closest challenger, Democrat John Lira, received 39 percent of the vote.

Gonzales represents Congressional District 23, which includes San Antonio and a large swath of the southern border. The district once swung between Democrats and Republicans but has become solidly red in recent years, as the baton passed from former U.S. Rep. Will Hurd to Gonzales. Both are conservatives — and independent thinkers who, yes, occasionally have broken with the Republican Party.

Despite being only in his second term, Gonzales, a former Navy cryptologist, is an increasingly visible and influential member of the Republican Party and Congress. He sits on the House Committee on Appropriations.

And yet, the Republican Party of Texas is considering censuring Gonzales this weekend because he has had the audacity — gasp! — to occasionally make bipartisan and inclusive votes that reflect his district and his conscience.

These votes include codifying same-sex marriage, supporting the bipartisan gun safety law after the mass shooting in Uvalde, which he represents. He has also sparred with U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, another Republican who represents part of San Antonio, over an anti-asylum bill.

In other words, the activist base of the GOP is furious at Gonzales because he has supported honoring marriages between two consenting adults, passed legislation following the seconddeadliest school shooting in American history (necessary responsiveness, but legislation that did nothing to restrict gun rights) and speaks with knowledge and understanding about the U.s.-mexico border, which he represents.

The Texas Republican Party could censure Gonzales, but he’s not the problem. It’s almost as if the GOP base wants to turn this district blue.

Gonzales shouldn’t be punished for bipartisan stances