Democrats see chance to flip 23rd District with Gonzales out

Hardline gun activist Brandon Herrera's controversial comments have renewed Democrats' interest in the sprawling border district

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:52pm

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With the Republican incumbent dropping out amid a scandal, and a hardline gun activist YouTuber with a history of edgy, controversial comments taking his place as the GOP nominee, Democrats see an opportunity to flip Texas' 23rd Congressional District. San Antonio attorney Katy Padilla Stout, who won the Democratic primary, is banking her campaign on winning over moderates turned off by Brandon Herrera's brash conservatism.

Why it matters

The 23rd Congressional District is the largest in Texas by land area, stretching from El Paso County along the border in West Texas to part of San Antonio. Historically, it has been represented by moderates, but the district has trended more Republican in recent years. Democrats now see an opening with the Republican incumbent's scandal and the nomination of the controversial Herrera.

The details

Padilla Stout, a former elementary school teacher, is running against Herrera, a gun manufacturer and YouTuber known as 'The AK Guy' with a large online following. Herrera first challenged the moderate incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales in 2024, criticizing him for voting in favor of a bipartisan gun safety bill. Gonzales later dropped his reelection bid amid a scandal over an affair with a staffer who died by suicide. Herrera has a history of making brash, controversial comments, including references to guns as 'ghetto blasters,' Holocaust jokes, and simulating the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Padilla Stout won the Democratic primary last week.
  • Gonzales dropped his reelection bid in September 2026 amid the scandal.
  • Herrera first challenged Gonzales in the 2024 primary.

The players

Katy Padilla Stout

A San Antonio attorney and former elementary school teacher who won the Democratic primary for the 23rd Congressional District.

Brandon Herrera

A gun manufacturer and YouTuber known as 'The AK Guy' who is the Republican nominee for the 23rd Congressional District. He has a history of making controversial comments.

Tony Gonzales

The former Republican incumbent for the 23rd Congressional District who dropped his reelection bid amid a scandal over an affair with a staffer who died by suicide.

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What they’re saying

“I decided to run because I thought that this seat was one that was winnable for Democrats, given Tony Gonzales' scandal that we all knew about in September. I didn't feel someone like that could accurately represent me and my family.”

— Katy Padilla Stout, Democratic candidate (The Texas Tribune)

“The accusations against Brandon Herrera are bizarre, desperate, and false. Brandon has never done or said anything antisemitic, and he has earned the support of leaders in the Jewish community. In Brandon's work as a historical firearms educator, he has simulated the execution and poisoning of Adolf Hitler. The misleading clip about Brandon's rare book collection omits his comments ridiculing and condemning Hitler's book.”

— Kimmie Gonzalez, Herrera campaign manager (The Texas Tribune)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.