Part of El Paso County has no US representative, what’s next?

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Since Former U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales resigned in April, Texas' 23rd Congressional District, which includes part of El Paso County, is going without representation.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott also hasn't called for a special election since Gonzales' resignation.

According to the U.S. House Clerk's office, the district will "continue to serve the people" under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Gonzales resigned April 14 amid his own House Ethics Committee probe. He also acknowledged an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide.

Before his resignation, Gonzales faced allegations he sent a separate, former campaign staffer lewd texts, which he hasn't addressed.

Katy Padilla Stout, the democratic nominee for the seat, is calling on Greg Abbott to quickly schedule a special election for Texas’ vacant 23rd Congressional District seat, arguing residents should not go months without representation in Congress.

“I think that it is unreasonable to ask for 800,000 individuals to go without representation in Congress,” Stout said.

Stout, the Democratic nominee for the seat, is set to face Republican Brandon Herrera in the upcoming election. Herrera did not respond to requests for an interview.

Stout said a delayed special election could create major challenges for whoever takes office in January.

“As quickly as possible so that there isn't a backlog,” Stout said. “We're talking eight months of a backlog for whoever gets elected to office in January to try to sort through and sift through in order to even get on par with everyone else.”

In a statement, Abbott press secretary Andrew Mahaleris said, “An announcement on the seat will be made at a later date.”

According to the U.S. House Clerk’s Office, former Rep. Tony Gonzales’ Washington and district offices will remain open under the clerk’s supervision.

Calls placed to the district office numbers listed in Texas connected to a staff member who said the San Antonio office is currently open and assisting constituents with casework, including tax refunds, veterans affairs assistance and immigration issues.

The staff member said legislative concerns are being forwarded to the House Clerk’s Office. Staff at the Washington office also said they are continuing to help constituents with casework.

Stout said her campaign has heard from residents struggling to get assistance.

“You're the first person I've heard that has been able to get a live person on the phone,” Stout said.

“Our office and our social media are getting requests daily, begging us to be able to help them in some way with forms they need signed, papers they need signed,” she added.

Gonzales’ office responded to requests for comment by providing an April news release outlining resources available to constituents, but did not provide a direct statement or interview.

A few weeks ago, Republican nominee Brandon Herrera posted on X that, “Unless an emergency is called which hasn’t been the precedent in past cases according to state law it falls on the date of the next uniform election.”