U.S. House · Texas's 23rd District
West and South Texas, stretching from San Antonio's outskirts along the border to El Paso County.
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED
Katy Padilla Stout, projected winner
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Katy Padilla Stout | 142,116 | 52.1% |
| Brandon Herrera | 119,822 | 44% |
| Ben Mendoza | 10,615 | 3.9% |
About 99% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗
Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research
- This is an open seat. Incumbent Tony Gonzales trailed Brandon Herrera in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary, 41.8% to 43.3%, forcing a runoff; Gonzales withdrew before the May 26, 2026 runoff, which was canceled, and Herrera advanced. Katy Padilla Stout won the Democratic nomination in the March 3, 2026 primary. Ben Mendoza, a perennial candidate who previously ran for El Paso mayor, is on the ballot as an independent.[1]
On the November 3 ballot · 3 candidates
Issue evidence — side by side
Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.
Protect legal access to abortion
- Brandon Herrera—
- Katy Padilla StoutSupports[3]
Campaign issues page says women's reproductive rights need to be protected and the government should not be involved in those decisions.
- Ben Mendoza—
Stricter gun laws
- Brandon HerreraOpposes[2]
Campaign issues page says he will fight for national concealed carry reciprocity and block red flag laws and new firearms restrictions.
- Katy Padilla StoutSupports[3]
Campaign issues page says no constitutional right is without reasonable limits and names universal background checks, a bump stock ban and red-flag laws as measures most Americans support.
- Ben Mendoza—
Expand public health coverage
- Brandon Herrera—
- Katy Padilla StoutSupports[3]
Campaign issues page says she supports expanding Medicare to cover all Americans and, short of that, strengthening the Affordable Care Act.
- Ben Mendoza—
Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
- Brandon HerreraSupports[2]
Campaign issues page says he will sponsor legislation so education dollars follow the student to public, private or parochial schools.
- Katy Padilla Stout—
- Ben Mendoza—
Raise the minimum wage
- Brandon Herrera—
- Katy Padilla StoutSupports[3]
Campaign issues page says she supports raising the minimum wage.
- Ben Mendoza—
Bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' school sports
- Brandon HerreraSupports[2]
Campaign issues page pledges to protect girls' and women's sports and opposes requiring female athletes to compete against transgender women.
- Katy Padilla Stout—
- Ben Mendoza—
Research notes & limits
This is an open seat after incumbent Tony Gonzales withdrew from the Republican primary runoff. Of the three general-election candidates, only Brandon Herrera has completed a 2026 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. No campaign website, education, occupation or other biographical information was found for Ben Mendoza beyond his election results.
Sources · 15
Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.On The Issues · Brandon Herrera for Congress Candidate's own words
- 3.Where I Stand On The Issues · Katy Padilla Stout for Congress Candidate's own words
- 4.Brandon Herrera · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 5.Meet Brandon · Brandon Herrera for Congress Candidate's own words
- 6.United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 7.Brandon Herrera | 2026 candidate for Texas' 23rd Congressional District - San Antonio Report · San Antonio Report · 2026-10-19 News report
- 8.U.S. House · Texas's 23rd District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 9.Katy Padilla Stout · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 10.Meet Katy · Katy Padilla Stout for Congress Candidate's own words
- 11.United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 12.Katy Padilla Stout | 2026 candidate for Texas' 23rd Congressional District · San Antonio Report · 2026-10-19 News report
- 13.Texas 23rd District U.S. House election results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 14.Ben Mendoza · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 15.U.S. House · Texas's 23rd District results 2026 · NBC News News report