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Brandon Herrera

Republican candidate for U.S. Representative, District 23, Bexar County, Texas · Open seat

Firearms manufacturer and YouTube content creator

Brandon Herrera is a firearms manufacturer and YouTube personality known online as "The AK Guy." He advanced to a runoff with incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary for Texas' 23rd Congressional District. Gonzales later ended his re-election campaign and resigned, and Herrera is the Republican nominee on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot against Katy Padilla Stout (D) and Ben Mendoza (I).

Where Herrera stands

Border security: Pledges to oppose any spending bill that does not fund completion of the border wall, and supports reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy and ending what he calls abuse of the asylum system.
Border wall in Big Bend: Opposes border wall construction in the Big Bend region. His campaign calls a physical wall there unnecessary because of the area's rugged terrain, and he welcomed a pause on construction there.
Taxes, spending and regulation: Pledges no new taxes, says he will cut wasteful spending, and supports the REINS Act.
Second Amendment: Supports national concealed carry reciprocity and says he wants to expand gun rights.
School safety: When asked about the Uvalde shooting in a debate, he asked why the state did not have armed security at schools to protect children.
Data centers: Said in a debate that West Texas has become "ground zero" for data centers in the country.
Veterans: Proposes better access to services and support for veterans and their families.

Background

Occupation: founder of a firearms manufacturing business
Host of a firearms-focused YouTube channel ("The AK Guy")
Education: studied pre-law at Campbell College; left before finishing to start his business
2026: advanced to a runoff in the Republican primary for TX-23 (March 3, 2026); now the Republican nominee
Has not held elected office

In the news

Herrera, Padilla Stout Race for West Texas Congressional District 23 The Texan, October 16, 2026
Herrera and Padilla Stout clash over guns, border security and character in heated Texas 23rd CD debate Texas Public Radio, October 14, 2026
Herrera’s online remarks draw scrutiny in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District race Texas Public Radio, October 2, 2026
GOP candidate Brandon Herrera repeatedly mocked women’s weight CNN, September 9, 2026

Also running for U.S. Representative, District 23

Katy Padilla Stout Democratic
Ben Mendoza Independent

Sources

Last researched October 22, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.