Texas Candidate Herrera Made Derogatory Slurs in 2019
Resurfaced video shows Republican congressional candidate Brandon Herrera using transphobic language.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in LGBTQand
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A 2019 video recently surfaced in which Texas Republican congressional candidate Brandon Herrera used a derogatory slur to describe trans women. The footage shows Herrera during a question and answer session stating that the term trap is the definition of gay.
Why it matters
The resurfacing of these comments impacts the ongoing electoral campaign as voters evaluate the past rhetoric of candidates seeking federal office. Herrera, who currently maintains a significant online platform, is running against Katy Padilla Stout for the congressional seat.
Brandon Herrera holds a digital audience of more than 4 million YouTube followers. The candidate is currently running for a congressional seat in Texas.
The players
Brandon Herrera
He is a Republican congressional candidate in Texas with a large following on YouTube.
Katy Padilla Stout
She is the political opponent currently running against Herrera for the congressional seat.
The details
In the 2019 recorded session, Herrera employed a slur often used to demean trans women while characterizing their gender identity. The video has gained renewed attention as part of the public vetting process for candidates in the current electoral cycle.
Timeline
The video featuring the derogatory comments was recorded in 2019.
Herrera also used vulgar language against Shannon Watts in 2023.
Culture Shift
The emergence of this video highlights the increased scrutiny of digital footprints in modern political campaigns. This case follows a pattern set by the trend of public figures facing consequences for historical online activity.
Residents in the district are evaluating how these past statements influence their perception of the candidate's platform and character. This impacts local voters as they determine which candidate best represents their values in the upcoming election.
The takeaway
Voters are increasingly using archived digital content to assess the historical consistency of candidates running for office. Candidates with large social media followings face greater potential for past statements to reappear during electoral cycles.
Further reading
For broader context regarding political discourse and identity, visit the LGBTQand section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LGBTQ Nation.
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Should a political candidate's past offensive social media comments disqualify them from running for office?
