Who has actually put their commitment to the Second Amendment in writing — and who is asking voters to take it on faith?
In CD-23, CD-9, and CD-2, national endorsements, establishment backing, and big money are colliding with grassroots gun owners demanding documented, no-compromise records.
And in two of those races, President Donald Trump has endorsed a different candidate than the one backed by leading gun rights organizations, including Texas Gun Rights.
For voters who care about the Second Amendment, the difference isn’t personality.
It’s paper trails.
CD-23: Herrera vs. Gonzales — A Record on Trial
In Congressional District 23, a recent Daily Caller poll shows Brandon Herrera leading incumbent Tony Gonzales 33% to 29%.
Despite President Trump’s endorsement of Gonzales, many gun owners remain focused on the congressman’s vote for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — legislation that expanded red flag-style funding, strengthened NICS infrastructure, and coincided with expanded ATF enforcement under the “engaged in the business” rule.
Texas Gun Rights has been conducting sustained issue education in the district through email, direct mail, and text messaging, outlining Herrera’s pro-Second Amendment positions and detailing Gonzales’ federal voting record.
Chris McNutt, President of Texas Gun Rights, did not mince words:
“You can’t vote for federal gun control and then expect gun owners to forget about it because someone powerful endorsed you. Records matter. Votes matter. And TX-23 voters deserve to know exactly what happened in Washington.”
Notably, Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed Gonzales in 2024 but has not done so in this cycle.
CD-9: Open Seat, Clear Contrast
CD-9 is an open seat following redistricting — and it’s become one of the most competitive Republican primaries in the state.
A University of Houston Hobby School poll shows Alex Mealer leading Briscoe Cain 34% to 26%, with 19% undecided.
President Trump endorsed Mealer.
Gun rights advocates point out a simple difference: Cain has a nearly decade-long legislative record defending gun rights in the Texas House and returned the Texas Gun Rights candidate survey 100% pro-gun.
Mealer, by contrast, has no legislative voting record on gun issues and has not returned the Texas Gun Rights survey.
Texas Gun Rights has been conducting issue discussions in the district via mail, email, and text messaging to explain that contrast.
McNutt framed it bluntly:
“An open seat means voters get to choose the direction of that district for years to come. When one candidate led efforts to make Texas a Constitutional Carry state, and ban “red flag” laws without due process, and the other hasn’t communicated their stance on these issues, that distinction matters.”
With nearly one in five voters undecided, turnout will likely determine whether the race heads to a runoff.
CD-2: Crenshaw vs. Toth — Commitment in Writing
In Congressional District 2, Rep. Dan Crenshaw faces a serious primary challenge from State Rep. Steve Toth.
Crenshaw has previously supported red flag measures and has declined to return a Texas Gun Rights candidate survey in any election.
Like Cain, Toth has also built a legislative record defending gun rights in Austin and returned his Texas Gun Rights candidate survey 100% pro-gun, pledging no-compromise support for the Second Amendment.
NBC News recently noted that Crenshaw is the only House Republican facing a competitive primary without President Trump’s endorsement.
Gov. Greg Abbott has endorsed Toth.
Texas Gun Rights has been conducting issue advocacy in CD-2 as well, contrasting Toth’s documented positions with Crenshaw’s past policy stances.
McNutt again emphasized the importance of written commitments:
“If a candidate won’t answer a simple survey about where they stand on the Second Amendment, voters should ask why. In CD-2, the contrast is clear: one candidate put his commitment in writing. The other didn’t.”
The “One Big Beautiful Ballot”
Across all three districts — and statewide — Texas Gun Rights has distributed its “One Big Beautiful Ballot,” identifying candidates who returned their survey 100% pro-gun.
The purpose is straightforward: ensure that pro-gun Texans have clear, documented information about where candidates stand on the Second Amendment.
In crowded primaries with high undecided numbers, clarity matters.
Early Voting Ends Friday
Early voting in the March 3 Republican Primary ends Friday.
CD-23 is within polling margin.
CD-9 has high undecided numbers.
CD-2 is a closely watched ideological contest.
In each race, the Republican nominee will face a Democrat in November who does not share a no-compromise Second Amendment platform.
For Texans who value their gun rights, the primary is where those differences are decided.
Chip in to Texas Gun Rights to help educate and mobilize pro-Second Amendment voters before early voting ends.
