The 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments and serve on committees. District 23 stretches from El Paso’s Lower Valley through West Texas to San Antonio. U.S. representatives serve two-year terms and are paid $174,000 a year.

Who’s running for this seat?

Tony Gonzales

Tony Gonzales, incumbent, did not respond.

George Keith Barton

George Keith Barton, 46, is a logistics manager

Brandon Herrera

Brandon Herrera, 41, is a firearms manufacturer and small business owner

Francisco Quico Canseco

Francisco Quico Canseco, did not respond.

Candidate Questionnaires

Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words. Responses have been edited to fit the word count and for grammar.

What is your top priority if you were to be elected to this office and how would you work to achieve it?

Tony Gonzales: Did not respond.

George Keith Barton: My top priority is restoring stability and accountability at the border while protecting families in El Paso and across District 23. Border chaos strains hospitals, law enforcement, and working families every day. In Congress, I would fix broken enforcement, support local authorities, improve legal immigration processes, and focus on results, not slogans. Government should solve problems, not create chaos.

Brandon Herrera: My number one priority is to provide a conservative voice to the hundreds of thousands of Texans that reside in the biggest border district in the country. My opponent has time and time again betrayed the voters and our President. I promise to deliver a transparent, accountable, and conservative voice to the district upon my victory.

Francisco Quico Canseco: Did not respond.

What specific actions would you take in Congress to help El Paso families struggling with high costs for food, housing and health care?

Tony Gonzales: Did not respond.

George Keith Barton: Families in El Paso are struggling because federal policy has driven up costs while ignoring local realities. In Congress, I would focus on lowering food and energy costs by easing supply chain pressures and reducing unnecessary regulations. I would support expanding affordable housing by cutting red tape that slows construction. On health care, I would strengthen border hospitals, reduce costs, and protect access for local families.

Brandon Herrera: On high costs, we need to reign in government spending and stop the money printing from the Fed which will reduce inflation. On healthcare, passing the Great Healthcare Plan will help lower costs and stop insurance companies from profiteering as middlemen with the current broken system. On housing, stopping Wall Street from buying Main Street, and deporting the illegal immigrants driving up housing demand is essential to make housing affordable for middle America. 

Francisco Quico Canseco: Did not respond.

How would you improve health care access, particularly for low-income families, veterans and border residents?

Tony Gonzales: Did not respond.

George Keith Barton: Improving health care access starts with fixing systems that are already stretched thin. In Congress, I would expand access to community care for veterans when VA facilities are too far away or overburdened. I would strengthen border hospitals, reduce administrative costs, and support telehealth so low income families and border residents can access timely, affordable care close to home.

Brandon Herrera: Passing the Great Healthcare Plan is an essential first step to fix the broken mess of a system that Democrats have put in place. For our veterans, I will work to expand Tricare so every Veteran can see the doctor of their choice, and I pledge to have at least one full time staffer in the district, as well as in D.C., dedicated to ensuring the Veterans of TX-23 are being heard. 

Francisco Quico Canseco: Did not respond.

What policies do you favor for immigration and border enforcement?

Tony Gonzales: Did not respond.

George Keith Barton: I support strong and adaptable border enforcement that protects national security while allowing lawful immigration to function. Border tactics must evolve as cartels and smuggling networks change. Enforcement should focus on real threats and measurable results. At the same time, we must improve legal immigration by streamlining entry processes and strengthening ports of entry so families and commerce can move safely and efficiently.

Brandon Herrera: Deporting every illegal immigrant in the nation, full stop, is the bare minimum we can do to restore justice to our immigration system. Our border enforcement needs to have teeth, one day in the future, we will have a Democrat president again, and when that day comes, we need to have codified regulation that forces our border to be protected and secured from illegal immigrants, drug smugglers, and radical leftists who may occupy the levers of power. 

Francisco Quico Canseco: Did not respond.

Why are you running as a Republican and what beliefs and values lead you to run in that party?

Tony Gonzales: Did not respond.

George Keith Barton: I am running as a Republican because my values were shaped by how I was raised. I grew up in a lower middle class family where we cleared land by hand, built our home and barn, raised livestock, and grew our own food. Riding and working on horseback taught responsibility and self reliance. Those experiences reflect West Texas values and guide my belief in strong families, accountable government, and a country that rewards hard work.

Brandon Herrera: I believe in the foundational principles of the American Republic, and the Republican party currently has a path forward to restore those values and stop radical left-wing tyranny from plunging our nation into chaos and decline.

Francisco Quico Canseco: Did not respond.

Related