Tony Gonzales’ April resignation left Texas’ 23rd Congressional District — touching El Paso County and communities across West Texas — suddenly without a voice in Washington, and Governor Greg Abbott has not yet scheduled a special election to fill the seat. KVIA reported the vacancy and noted that, according to the U.S. House Clerk’s office, the district will “continue to while residents wait for state action. This piece looks at what that gap means for constituents, why a prompt special election matters, and what Texas leadership should do next.
Residents in the 23rd District deserve representation on the floor of the House and on the committees that shape policy affecting the border, energy, and veterans. When a seat is vacant, constituent services slow, cases before federal agencies can stall, and local advocates lose a pathway to influence. Conservatives in El Paso County and neighboring areas rely on a Republican presence in Congress to push for secure borders, pro-jobs energy policies, and accountable government.
Governor Greg Abbott holds the authority to call a special election, and his decision not to act quickly raises practical and political questions. A prompt election would restore a voice for Texans who need help with Social Security, VA claims, and federal disaster assistance after storms. From a Republican standpoint, leaving the district empty also risks losing momentum on issues where conservative lawmakers have been making gains.
There is a clear process under Texas law for filling vacant congressional seats, and the clock matters. The longer El Paso and surrounding counties go without a member in the House, the more likely urgent local issues will be sidelined. Every day without representation is another day constituents cannot bring their cases directly to Congress or rely on someone to vote for their priorities.
Local leaders have already felt the practical pinch of the vacancy as federal coordination needs a single point of contact. Hospitals seeking federal funding, cross-border trade officials, and border security coordinators all benefit from an active representative to advocate on their behalf. The absence of leadership at the federal level can slow approvals, complicate grant applications, and reduce visibility for regional needs.
Republicans who back a strong, secure border are right to press for a fast, decisive election that gives voters a clear choice. An open seat should not be left in limbo while partisan games unfold; voters deserve the final say on who will represent them in Washington. Holding a special election also lets the party test its messaging on immigration, energy, and veterans’ care in a district that stretches from El Paso eastward.
Politically, timing and turnout will shape the outcome, but the immediate priority should be restoring services. Campaign calendars and candidate recruiting are part of politics, but they are secondary to the obligation of state leadership to restore representation. Governor Abbott can set a date, ensure the process is transparent, and let voters decide without further delay.
Meanwhile, constituents should know their options for seeking federal help even without a sitting congressman. The offices of neighboring members, federal agencies, and state officials can provide assistance, but these are stopgaps, not substitutes. Texans in the 23rd District deserve a voice with a vote on the House floor and someone who answers directly for district concerns.
Public pressure and clear expectations are useful tools to encourage action from Austin. Community leaders, county officials, and civic groups can make the case that a functioning democracy requires timely elections. From El Paso County to the western reaches of the 23rd District, voters should expect their state leaders to prioritize filling the seat so federal representation is restored.
At the end of the day, this is about practical governance more than partisan gain: getting someone elected who will show up, take votes, and handle constituent work. The people of the 23rd District are owed that basic service, and Governor Abbott has the authority to make it happen. While political strategy will play out in the campaign, the immediate need is straightforward — restore representation, restore services, and let the voters decide.
