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?
Brandon Herrera, Republican, 41, a firearms manufacturer and YouTuber, did not respond
Katy Padilla Stout, Democrat, 41, attorney and former teacher
Candidate Questionnaires
Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar.
What do you believe is the biggest threat to public trust in American democracy today, and what would you do in Congress to address it?
Brandon Herrera: Did not respond
Katy Padilla Stout: I believe one of the greatest threats to public trust in American democracy is watching some elected officials get rich off the American taxpayer.
Current rules allow members to own and trade individual stocks. In Congress, I will support legislation prohibiting members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from trading individual stocks, with meaningful enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violations.
Public service should be service to the public, not service to your pocket.
Housing, utilities, groceries and gasoline remain significant expenses for many El Paso families. What specific federal policies would you pursue to help make everyday life more affordable?
Brandon Herrera: Did not respond
Katy Padilla Stout: The cost of living and raising a family is climbing dramatically. We must have a fair economy and that starts with a fair tax code.
I don’t believe we should be giving billionaires tax cuts at a time when we are debating whether vulnerable children should have food provided by SNAP benefits. We need a tax code which empowers the middle class and raises people out from poverty into the middle class.
The federal government has dramatically expanded immigration detention and deportation efforts, with billions of dollars being spent on these efforts. What is your position on this approach, and what changes, if any, would you support regarding the scale of detention and deportations, oversight of detention facilities, and protections for people in federal custody?
Brandon Herrera: Did not respond
Katy Padilla Stout: As a Mexican American, I know many of our families are generational and have been here long before the border existed.
Congress must end the spending on a pointless wall and focus on an actual pathway to citizenship, securing the border and allowing for reasonable and humane immigration laws – not like the current status of enforcement-only and severe overreaching.
These current policies are sowing fear in our communities, interfering with small business and wasting taxpayer money.
El Paso and the broader region have seen a growing interest from data centers and other energy-intensive developers. What federal policies should govern their use of electricity and water, and how should communities benefit from that development?
Brandon Herrera: Did not respond
Katy Padilla Stout: I have called for a moratorium on new data center construction until Congress enacts meaningful legislation to protect our water resources, electric grid and taxpayers. I am equally concerned about the enormous tax incentives being offered to these corporations in exchange for a very few jobs.
What is one issue affecting El Paso or the border region that you believe receives too little attention in Washington, and what specific legislation or policy change would you make a priority during your first year in Congress to address it?
Brandon Herrera: Did not respond
Katy Padilla Stout: As a former teacher, protecting our public schools and educators is top priority. However, one of the El Paso/border issues that needs more attention, is the slashing of federal funds for nursing and healthcare programs from the “professional-degree” tiers.
Places like El Paso, home to one of the top nursing schools, will face a future healthcare shortage. This will greatly affect the entire border region.
In Congress, I would support Nursing is a Professional Degree Act.