Trump endorses Brandon Herrera for Texas House seat after primary
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President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Republican Brandon Herrera on Wednesday after his primary opponent withdrew from the race amid an ethics investigation into an alleged affair with a former staffer.
Herrera, a self-described Second Amendment activist and social media personality, has been touted by Trump as a Republican who would support the MAGA agenda in Texas’ 23rd District.
“Brandon is strongly supported by many Respected MAGA Warriors in Texas and Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. he said. “As your next member of Congress, he will work tirelessly to advance our MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN Agenda.”
“Brandon will fight hard to Grow the Economy, Reduce Taxes and Regulations, ADVANCE MANUFACTURING IN THE USA, Unleash American Energy Domination, Protect Our Elections, Win School Choice, Keep Our Borders SECURE, Stop Immigrant Crime, Support Our Brave Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, and Protect the Always Under Siege Second Amendment,” Trump said.
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Republican congressional candidate Brandon Herrera speaks during a campaign rally at Constantino S Pizza restaurant on February 26, 2026 in Somerset, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Herrera thanked the president for his support, including Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. and contributed support from conservative lawmakers including Mary Miller, R-Ill.
“Thank you, President Trump,” he said in a post on X. “Now is the time to take the fight to Democrats in November and continue working to deliver big victories for TX23 and the rest of the country.”
Trump’s endorsement comes after Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, announced last week that he would not seek reelection, clearing the way for Herrera to seek the GOP nomination.
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Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, dropped out of the race as he faces a House Ethics investigation over his alleged relationship with a former staffer. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Herrera narrowly edged Gonzales by a 43.33% to 41.73% margin in the GOP primary for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District earlier this month and was forced into a runoff because neither candidate won 50% of the vote.
Gonzales, who was initially supported by Trump, withdrew from the race amid a House Ethics investigation into an affair he had with a former staffer.
Gonzales, a married father of six, admitted to the affair while speaking on a conservative radio show the day after the first round.
“I made a mistake, an error in judgment, a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” he said on “The Joe Pags Show” last week. “I have since made peace with my wife, Angel. I have asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever.”
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U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media traveling on Air Force One en route to Miami on March 7, 2026. (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)
Herrera had previously described his rival’s withdrawal from the race as an “appropriate decision”.
He will face local attorney and Democratic candidate Katy Padilla Stout in November.
