Texas’s 23rd Congressional District elects one member to the U.S. House of Representatives. Members serve two-year terms and represent the district’s residents in federal matters. Responsibilities include introducing and voting on federal legislation, serving on committees, and helping constituents access federal programs and services.

To qualify for office, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, and have lived in the United States for at least seven years. Candidates do not need to live in the district they seek to represent.

The district covers parts of central and southwest Texas, including Texas A&M University–San Antonio and Bexar, Medina, Uvalde and surrounding counties, stretching along the U.S.–Mexico border and into the Texas Hill Country.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales seeks re-election. There are 10 candidates running for this office. The Mesquite chose the strongest candidates based on polling data and campaign funding. 

 

Here is an overview of the top three candidates on the ballot for U.S. House representative in District 23:

 

Tony Gonzales (Republican incumbent)

 

Republican U.S. House District 23 incumbent Tony Gonzales. Photo courtesy of campaign website

Tony Gonzales is from San Antonio and served 20 years in the United States Navy, including deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer. After earning a diploma from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in international development from American Public University, he is a candidate for a Ph.D. in international development at the University of Southern Mississippi. Gonzales is serving his third term in Congress, where he sits on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee.

Policy Stances: 

Expansion of veterans health care, mental health services, suicide prevention programs, and benefits for veterans and their families.
Strengthening federal cybersecurity capacity and international research and security cooperation, including with Taiwan.
Emphasis on parental rights, school choice, tax-free Pell Grants, learning recovery initiatives, and programs for English learners.
Increased border enforcement, modernization of ports of entry, and enhanced border infrastructure.
Legislation focused on protections for foster youth and family reunification efforts.

 

Brandon Herrera (Republican)

 

Republican U.S. House District 23 candidate Brandon Herrera. Photo courtesy of Herrera’s instagram

Brandon Herrera was born in North Carolina and later moved to the San Antonio area. According to his campaign materials, he grew up in a working‑class family where hard work and self‑reliance were core values. He attended local schools before pursuing his interest in entrepreneurship and small business development.

Herrera is the founder and owner of Centurion Arms, a firearms manufacturing business based in Texas. He gained national recognition through his online presence and as a competitive shooter and firearms enthusiast, building a large audience by sharing content related to marksmanship, firearms education and small business ownership. His business experience and advocacy for Second Amendment rights are central themes of his public profile.

Before running for Congress, Herrera worked on initiatives to support gun rights, small business growth, and community outreach. He ran for the U.S. House in District 23 in 2022 and 2024, challenging then incumbent Tony Gonzales and has remained active in local Republican politics.

Policy Stances:

Protect Second Amendment rights and oppose efforts to introduce restrictive gun control legislation.
Support small business growth through lower taxes, reduced federal regulations, and pro‑business policies.
Strengthen the U.S. economy by promoting energy independence, workforce development, and trade policies that benefit American workers.
Secure the U.S.–Mexico border with enhanced enforcement and resources for border security.
Defend constitutional freedoms including free speech, religious liberty, and limited government.

 

Katy Padilla Stout (Democratic)

 

Democratic U.S. House District 23 candidate Katy Padilla Stout. Photo courtesy of campaign website

Katy Padilla Stout is from San Antonio and graduated from Lee High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston.

Her professional background includes work as an attorney and as an elementary school teacher in the Northside Independent School District, where she worked with students in special education and gifted programs. Since 2017, she has served on the Bexar County Child Welfare Board and on the board of a nonprofit providing therapeutic services to children affected by abuse, poverty and trauma.

Policy Stances: 

Supports lowering the cost of living, raising the minimum wage, requiring paid parental leave and reforming the tax code to benefit families. 
Advocate for universal prekindergarten.
Opposes voter suppression and supports restoring the Voting Rights Act, expanding voter access, regulating voter roll purges and procedural changes, prosecuting voter discrimination, and making Election Day a federal holiday.
Supports what she describes as responsible gun ownership, including universal background checks, a ban on bump stocks, red flag laws, and increased funding for mental health and crisis intervention.