Brandon Gill wins Republican primary for Congressional District 26 election
Brandon Gill has won the Republican primary to replace Rep. Michael Burgess in Congress, avoiding a runoff election despite a crowded field of candidates.
Burgess, a doctor and North Texas Republican, announced he wouldn’t run for the Denton area seat in November, after representing North Texas in Congress since 2003. His exit opened the door to a crowded slate of candidates hoping to take his place.
Gill leads with 58.38% of the vote, according to unofficial results. The district includes Denton, Wise and Cooke counties and a small portion of Tarrant County.
The Associated Press called the race for Gill at 11:31 p.m.
“Conservatives of North Texas demand change in Washington. They want a secure border, an end to out of control spending, and our America First values represented,” Gill said in a written statement. “I want to thank them for entrusting me with their vote. This campaign wasn’t about me, it was about the people of our great district who want to send a true conservative to Congress that will fight alongside President Trump.”
Other candidates on the Republican side included business owner Luisa Del Rosal, Southlake Mayor John Huffman, attorney Vlad De Franceschi, former Denton County Judge Scott Armey, construction company owner Burt Thakur, physician and entrepreneur Neena Biswas, Joel Krause, who runs a sports equipment company, technician and entrepreneur Jason Kergosien, Mark Rutledge, who runs a mechanical contracting company, and Gill, a conservative media figure.
Gill, who was involved with making “2000 Mules” with his father-in-law Dinesh D’Souza and is endorsed by former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, has reported raising and spending the most this election cycle, according to Federal Election Commission — nearly $698,000 in receipts and more than $390,000 in disbursements. The film, which claims there was widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, “does not provide any concrete, verifiable evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election,” according to a Reuters fact check. The Associated Press found “gaping holes” in a fact check.
Huffman, who has been endorsed by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, has raised about $387,000 and spent nearly $317,000. Armey has raised almost $282,000 and spent nearly $188,000, FEC records show. Behind him is Armey, who has raised about $282,000 and spent about $188,000.
Ernest Linberger III, an analyst and engineer, is the only candidate running in the Democratic primary and will appear on the November ballot with Gill.
This story was originally published March 5, 2024 at 8:07 PM.
