Democratic nominee Katy Padilla Stout and Republican Brandon Herrera traded criticism during the final stretch of the contest for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, with attention focused on campaign expense filings and a tense exchange at a televised debate.
Federal election records cited in the source report show Stout’s campaign reported $4,338.14 in five transactions during March and April. The reported expenses included $675 for cookies, two payments totaling $1,289.22 to Total Wine and two payments totaling $2,373.92 to Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana. The figures were also described in an August report by RedState.
The listed transactions include a March 30 payment of $675 with the purpose stated as “COOKIES FOR EVENT.” The campaign reported Total Wine payments of $1,089.08 on April 21 and $200.14 the next day, both marked “BEER AND WINE.” The restaurant payments were $2,027.52 on April 27 and $346.40 on April 28.
Stout told Fox News Digital that the purchases were for campaign and fundraising events attended by supporters. She said the cookies were Texas-shaped, bought from a local bakery, and that the campaign wanted to support small businesses. The available filing details document what the campaign reported spending; they do not establish whether any purchase was improper, personal, or how many people attended the events.
Herrera’s campaign has used the cookie payment in its criticism of Stout. His campaign website, The Real Katy Stout, features the expense under a section called “Cookie gate” and says donor funds were used for the treats. The site also criticizes Stout’s positions on immigration, taxes and other issues. The campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, according to the report.
The dispute over expenses unfolded alongside a debate hosted by WOAI/KABB in San Antonio. During the debate, Stout criticized Herrera’s online videos, saying he had made money by joking about Nazis. Herrera replied that he thought mocking Nazis was a good thing.
Stout later apologized for misspeaking and clarified that her objection was to what she characterized as content trivializing subjects including veteran suicide, rape, child murder, women’s bodies and the Holocaust. She also alleged that Herrera’s videos used Nazi imagery and cited two videos, which she said were posted in 2022 and 2020. Those descriptions and criticisms were Stout’s claims in her statement; the source material does not independently assess the videos.
The candidates also argued during the debate over gun rights, immigration and the cost of living. Stout, a former teacher and child welfare attorney, has made affordability and corruption themes of her campaign. Herrera, described as a firearms manufacturer and online personality, has emphasized border enforcement, tax cuts and Second Amendment protections.
The candidates are seeking to replace former Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, who resigned earlier in the year after acknowledging an affair with a staff member. The district extends from the San Antonio area toward El Paso and includes a long stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border. At the time of the report, early voting was scheduled to begin Oct. 19, with Election Day set for Nov. 3.
