Katy Padilla Stout Secures Victory in Texas 23rd District Race, Flipping Seat Previously Held by Tony Gonzales

In a closely watched race, Katy Padilla Stout emerged victorious in the Texas 23rd Congressional District, securing her place as the new representative for the district previously held by Republican Tony Gonzales. This win represents a notable political flip, as Stout, a Democrat, succeeded in flipping a seat that had been in Republican hands.

The race saw Stout face off against Republican nominee Brandon Herrera, who was backed by former President Donald Trump. Herrera, known for his substantial online presence with over 4 million YouTube followers, campaigned vigorously but ultimately fell short of capturing the seat. Stout’s margin of victory was decisive, with 51.7% of the vote compared to Herrera’s 44.5%.

Gonzales’ departure from Congress was precipitated by a scandal involving a former staff member’s death, leading him to resign on April 13, 2026. This event set the stage for the special election that brought Stout into office. The race garnered attention not just locally, but also nationally, with the involvement of a former president lending additional prominence to the contest.

The Texas 23rd Congressional District race took place in 2026, marking a significant moment in the electoral calendar. It is noteworthy that despite Herrera’s robust social media following and the endorsement from a high-profile figure like Trump, Stout managed to secure a comfortable lead, indicating a strong ground game and local support in the district.

What we know

• Katy Padilla Stout won the Texas 23rd Congressional District race. ¹²³
• Brandon Herrera was the Republican nominee. ¹³
• Tony Gonzales resigned due to a scandal involving a former staff member's death. ¹³
• The race took place in 2026. ²³
• President Trump endorsed Brandon Herrera. ²³
• Herrera has over 4 million YouTube followers. ³