Federal
U.S. Representative, 23rd Congressional District
- Vote for
- 1
- Term
- 2 years
- Candidates
- 3
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.
All of Brewster, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Edwards, Frio, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Loving, Medina, Pecos, Presidio, Reagan, Reeves, Schleicher, Sutton, Terrell, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward, Winkler and Zavala counties; part of Bexar County (about 19% of its residents: part of San Antonio, Helotes, part of Fair Oaks Ranch, Shavano Park and Hollywood Park); part of El Paso County (about 11% of its residents: Horizon City, part of El Paso and San Elizario); part of Maverick County (about 79% of its residents: Eagle Pass).
Taxes & budget
Brandon HerreraRepublican
- Signed the No New Taxes pledge; supports the REINS Act.
Katy Padilla StoutDemocratic
- Opposes tax cuts for billionaires.
Ben MendozaIndependent
No documented position found.
Public safety
Brandon HerreraRepublican
- Pledges to oppose spending bills without border security funding.
- Supports national concealed carry reciprocity; opposes red flag laws.
Katy Padilla StoutDemocratic
No documented position found.
Ben MendozaIndependent
No documented position found.
Education
Brandon HerreraRepublican
- Supports more firearm training funding for school staff.
Katy Padilla StoutDemocratic
- Supports universal pre-K.
Ben MendozaIndependent
No documented position found.
Economy & jobs
Brandon HerreraRepublican
No documented position found.
Katy Padilla StoutDemocratic
- Supports a higher minimum wage and paid parental leave.
Ben MendozaIndependent
No documented position found.
Environment & parks
Brandon HerreraRepublican
No documented position found.
Katy Padilla StoutDemocratic
- Opposes a border wall through the Big Bend region.
- Supports rejoining the Paris climate agreement.
Ben MendozaIndependent
No documented position found.
Health & human services
Brandon HerreraRepublican
- Opposes government funding for abortion.
Katy Padilla StoutDemocratic
- Supports expanding Medicare to cover all Americans.
Ben MendozaIndependent
No documented position found.
Government & transparency
Brandon HerreraRepublican
- Supports expanding Tricare so veterans can choose their doctor.
- Supports a term-limits amendment for Congress.
Katy Padilla StoutDemocratic
- Supports restoring the Voting Rights Act.
Ben MendozaIndependent
No documented position found.
Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.