President Donald Trump has endorsed congressional hopeful Brandon Herrera for Texas U.S. House District 23.
The endorsement comes after Herrera automatically clinched the Republican nomination for the November election after incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) announced that he would be suspending his re-election campaign.
Rep. Gonzales, who faced mounting pressure to exit the race, failed to gain the necessary 50% vote threshold to avoid a runoff election. The embattled Texas Republican found himself in controversy following allegations that he had a relationship with staffer Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who passed away from suicide last year.
On Truth Social, President Trump made it clear that he’s backing Herrera for the seat as Republicans struggle to keep control of the House.
“Brandon is strongly supported by many Highly Respected MAGA Warriors in Texas, and Republicans in the U.S. House,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social. “As your next Congressman, he will work tirelessly to advance our MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN AGENDA.”
President Trump initially endorsed Rep. Gonzales for the seat. However, after leaked texts showed that the Texas lawmaker had pressured his staffer to share explicit photos with him, the president quietly pulled his endorsement.
“Brandon will fight hard to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Safeguard our Elections, Champion School Choice, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Brave Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” the president emphasized.
Herrera, known as "The AK Guy,” shared the president's endorsement on X.
Thank you President Trump! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/DTa9VgcX1z
— Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) March 12, 2026
The congressional hopeful has also enlisted the support from Members of Congress. Namely, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) have already endorsed him, and more congressional Republicans are expected to follow.
In November, Herrera faces Democrat Katy Padilla Stout for the seat, which is expected to remain Republican.
The race is one of the most closely watched in the country not only because of the controversy surrounding it but because of the slim majority that Republicans hold in the House.
