Texas 23rd District
The seat is empty: Rep. Tony Gonzales (R) resigned April 14, 2026. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Brandon Herrera
Republican · gun maker and YouTuber, Republican nominee
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Herrera has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Herrera.
Raised $3,115,205 since January 2025: 75% transfers and other income, 17% the candidate’s own money, 5% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Katy Padilla Stout
Democrat · teacher and child welfare attorney
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Stout, and what Stout has said and done settles only 2 of my principles. I went through it on October 31. A grade needs 4.
Raised $1,117,715 since January 2025: 91% from people, 6% from PACs and other committees, 2% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Texas: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Brandon Herrera, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Herrera, so the grade above comes from this list: what Herrera has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Speaking to supporters, he said he hopes Hamas is destroyed.
“I hope Hamas gets burned to the ground.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing Hamas is with liberty on tyranny.
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As US strikes on Iran began in March 2026, Herrera wrote that if there must be military action it should be quick and effective.
“If there must be military action, let it be QUICK, effective, and please God keep our service members safe.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He neither backs nor opposes the strikes, so the line does not settle the measure.
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He said he wants to stop Iran becoming a nuclear power but would vote no on going to war with the Islamic Republic.
“If I was asked as whether or not I would be one of 435 people that would vote to go to war with Iran, my vote would be no”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He opposes a war but backs stopping an Iranian bomb, so the words do not settle the measure.
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Speaking to supporters about Israel, he said that if Israel wants to buy rockets from the United States, the United States should sell them.
“If they want to buy rockets from us, let's sell to them.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Backing weapons sales to Israel and not cutting them off is with liberty on free nations.
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Speaking to supporters about Israel, he said no taxpayer money should go outside the United States until the national debt is paid down.
“I don't want to see a single cent of taxpayer money go outside the United States until we have paid our debts down.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A rule for all foreign spending with no condition on Israel is unclear on israel under the site's precedent.
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His site says he will not support sending billions to defend foreign borders while the US border stays open, naming no country.
“Brandon will not support sending billions to defend foreign borders while our own remain open.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No country or aid bill is named, so the words do not settle the measure.
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His campaign site says he would roll back Biden-era regulations and has taken the No New Taxes pledge.
“Brandon will fight to roll back restrictive policies and regulations implemented under the Biden administration.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rolling back regulation and opposing new taxes is with liberty on free markets.
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His campaign site says he will fight to keep women's sports for women.
“Brandon will fight to protect women's sports.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female is with liberty on equal rights.
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His campaign site says he would oppose any spending bill that does not fund border security and would restore Remain in Mexico.
“Brandon will oppose any spending bill that does not fund comprehensive border security through innovative technology, increased Border Patrol presence, and strategic infrastructure where appropriate.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Funding border security and ending asylum abuse is with liberty on borders.
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In a debate he said the country needs strong border policy.
“I think we need strong border policy”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Calling for strong border policy is with liberty on borders.
Katy Padilla Stout, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Stout, so the grade above comes from this list: what Stout has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Asked about aid to Israel, she said she would consider it case by case.
“case-by-case basis”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Aid reviewed with no condition named is unclear on israel.
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Her campaign site says she supports expanding Medicare to cover all Americans.
“I support expanding our Medicare system to cover all Americans.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is against liberty on free markets.
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In a San Antonio Report candidate profile she says Congress should regulate the President's power to impose tariffs, and says the tariffs raise costs.
“The Trump Tariffs are raising costs for everyone and driving inflation.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is the with side of this measure.
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Her campaign site calls for reasonable pathways to citizenship for people living and working here.
“provide fair and humane vetting and reasonable pathways to citizenship for our neighbors who are living and working here.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A pathway to citizenship is against liberty on borders.
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In a debate she said the country needs a functioning border, neither closed nor open.
“We need a functioning border. We do not need a closed border and we certainly don't need an open border”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No policy is named, so the words do not settle the measure.
Also on the ballot
Ben Mendoza (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Texas 23rd District
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