Full Breakdown
Republican Candidate Brandon Herrera’s Controversial Remarks and Trump Endorsement
9/9/2026, 10:03:03 PM
Controversial Online Content and Campaign Position
Brandon Herrera, 30, is the Republican nominee for Texas’s 23rd congressional district. A review by CNN of Herrera’s YouTube channel—where he has over 4 million subscribers—found repeated jokes that demeaned women’s weight and intelligence. He likened feminists to “whales” and “nuclear bombs,” called liberal women “fat and wrong,” and used vulgar language toward a gun-safety advocate and her children. Earlier videos included a 2021 clip in which he suggested “manning the harpoons” meant sleeping with overweight women after heavy drinking, and a summer-time segment where he rubbed ranch dressing on his arm to become “irresistible to the fat b----es.” Herrera has framed these remarks as jokes tied to his online persona.
Political Background
The 23rd district was previously held by Rep. Tony Gonzales, who resigned in April amid an ethics investigation. Herrera’s opponent is Democrat Katy Padilla Stout, a former teacher and attorney. Although the district leans Republican, Democrats view the race as potentially competitive given the controversy surrounding Herrera’s statements.
Official Statements & Responses
Herrera told the Los Angeles Times that he expects continued scrutiny, describing himself as “an open book” because his life is largely online, and arguing that voters care more about his positions on gun rights and border security. In a March endorsement post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump pledged that Herrera “will never let you down,” despite earlier tensions over Herrera’s mockery of Barron Trump and a cease-and-desist letter concerning the use of Trump’s image. House Speaker Mike Johnson also publicly backed Herrera.
Political Reactions
Republican leaders, including Trump and Johnson, have defended Herrera, emphasizing his alignment with the party’s gun-rights agenda. Democratic observers, however, have highlighted the vulgar remarks as a liability, suggesting the district could flip. No formal condemnation from other elected officials appears in the sources, but the controversy has become a focal point of the campaign narrative.
