Who's running in Texas's 23rd congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Second Amendment rights, including national concealed carry reciprocity.
Border security measures he describes as practical steps for the district.
Cost of living: no new taxes, cutting waste and support for the REINS Act.
Water infrastructure in West Texas.
Limiting federal power and returning authority to the states; support for veterans and their families.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Founder of a firearm manufacturing business; Second Amendment content creator with over half a billion social media views.
Studied pre-law; comes from a military family.
Ran against Tony Gonzales in the 2024 Republican primary runoff and lost narrowly.
Finished in the top two of the March 3, 2026 Republican primary; became the nominee when Gonzales withdrew before the runoff.
Endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
He has President Trump's complete and total endorsement, and would take the district's top-polling concerns — gun rights, the border and the cost of living — to Washington directly.
— President Donald Trump's endorsement, and Herrera's campaign
National Republicans say the Democratic effort here is money badly spent and that the seat is not in real danger.
— Christian Martinez, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson
Arguments against
He has a history of extremism, violence and antisemitic rhetoric that puts him outside the mainstream — the reason Democrats believe a district they have not won since 2012 is now in play.
— Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
He has been dogged by controversy over his online content throughout both of his campaigns for this seat.
— Reporting by the Washington Examiner
What we couldn’t verify
His response to the specific claims about his past online content has not been set out in the coverage found.
His positions on health care, agriculture and trade with Mexico were not stated in material available.
Cost of living, which she makes her central issue.
Opposition to a border wall through the Big Bend.
Health care access and universal pre-kindergarten.
Immigration reform and free and fair elections.
Gun violence prevention, reproductive rights and climate policy.
Resources and health care for veterans.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Attorney and former teacher; worked with children in the foster care system.
Defeated Santos Limon, Bruce Richardson and Gretel Marysdatter Enck in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary.
Endorsed by SEIU Texas, the Texas AFL-CIO, the Texas State Teachers Association and the San Antonio Express-News.
Has not held elected office.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added the district to its target list in August 2026.
Arguments in favor
Her candidacy has put a border district Democrats have not won since 2012 back in play, which is why the party added it to its target list and committed extra spending.
— Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
She is backed by the state's largest teachers' and labour organisations and by the San Antonio Express-News.
— SEIU Texas, the Texas AFL-CIO, the Texas State Teachers Association and the San Antonio Express-News
Arguments against
Her campaign is doomed and national Democratic money spent on it is financial malpractice on what he calls a socialist train wreck.
— Christian Martinez, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson
She has publicly described her relationship with the Democratic congressional committee as the most toxic of her life, which raises questions about whether her own party's support will hold.
— Katy Padilla Stout's own remarks, as reported by American Liberty News
What we couldn’t verify
The context and full text of her remarks about the DCCC were not available; they are reported secondhand.
Her positions on energy and trade were not stated in material available.
Her fundraising totals relative to her opponent's were not reported in material available.
Independent candidate certified for the November 3, 2026 ballot in the 23rd District.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
His policy positions could not be established from any source found.
Biographical and professional detail could not be established.
No published criticism of Mendoza by name could be found, and no fundraising figures were reported. Independent candidates in this race have received essentially no coverage.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
The Republican incumbent, Tony Gonzales, is not on the November ballot. Brandon Herrera forced him into a runoff in the March 3, 2026 primary, and days later Gonzales ended his campaign after acknowledging an affair with a staffer, cancelling the runoff and making Herrera the nominee. Katy Padilla Stout won the Democratic primary. Independent Ben Mendoza is also certified. The district was redrawn in Texas's 2025 mid-decade redistricting and stretches from the Big Bend through Del Rio and Uvalde to the northern San Antonio suburbs. The Democratic congressional committee added it to its target list in August 2026. Roster confirmed against the Texas Secretary of State's certified ballot; certified write-in candidates are not printed choices and are not profiled here. Arguments for and against are shown for the two major-party candidates, who have organised campaigns and published critics on both sides. The minor-party and independent candidates on this ballot have received essentially no independent coverage, so no case is made for or against them in either direction; what is known about them is set out in their profiles.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Texas ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.