Katy Padilla Stout Defeats ‘AK Guy’ Brandon Herrera for 23rd District Seat

Katy Padilla Stout (D) will represent Texas's 23rd District in the House of Representatives next Congress, defeating Second Amendment activist Brandon Herrera (R).

Padilla Stout defeated opponents Herrera and Ben Mendoza (I) with 52% of the vote, compared to 44.1% for Herrera and 3.9% for Mendoza. The vacated seat to represent Southwest Texas, and Padilla Stout's win means another seat for House Democrats next Congress.

"We flipped a district Trump won by 15 points, the first Latina to represent this district. And made history!" Padilla Stout wrote on X. "From San Antonio to El Paso, this victory belongs to YOU."

Herrera, known as the “AK Guy,” is a firearms manufacturer and right-wing YouTube influencer. His campaign focused on gun rights, border security and limited government, while portraying Padilla Stout as too far left for the district.

"For the sake of the often forgotten West Texas farmers, ranchers, and other constituents, I hope she is able to be a competent representative," Herrera said after calling Padilla Stout to concede.

Padilla Stout, a lawyer and former teacher, highlighted Herrera’s opposition to gun regulations and his controversial online rhetoric, including derogatory comments about women and jokes about violence and veteran suicide.

“Let’s send leaders to Washington that know how to balance a checkbook while holding down a job and taking their kids to school,” Padilla Stout said ahead of the election. “Let’s send leaders to Washington that’ll fight to lower prices at the store and the pump and can relate to the communities they represent!”

Prior to the election, the seat was represented by former Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), who resigned in April after facing allegations of sexual misconduct involving a former aide and a former campaign staffer. The seat has been vacant since his resignation.

This story will be updated as additional results and developments become available.