Brandon Herrera, known on his YouTube channel as The AK Guy, owns a small firearms manufacturing company near San Antonio. He pushed U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-San Antonio) into a runoff in the 2024 GOP primary and is now one of three Republican candidates challenging Gonzales in 2026.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
My name is Brandon Herrera. I am 30 years old and I live in the San Antonio area. I come from deep Texas roots, with family originally from Texas and parents who come from military families, which shaped my respect for service, responsibility, and individual liberty.
I began my education studying Pre Law but ultimately chose the path of entrepreneurship. I founded and grew a small firearm manufacturing business built around a lifelong passion for firearms, innovation, and education. Along the way, I also built a large national media platform focused on responsible gun ownership, firearm safety, and defending the Second Amendment.
Through educational and entertaining content, my work has reached more than half a billion views. That experience has given me real world insight into running a business, communicating with millions of Americans, and standing up for constitutional freedoms, which is why I am running to represent Texas in Congress.
2. Briefly describe your top policy priorities.
Solidifying the work and achievements that President Trump has accomplished on the border is a top priority. It is inevitable that at some time in the future a Democrat will take the presidency, and we need to be ready to ensure that our biggest border district here in Texas District 23, doesn’t become ground zero for another border invasion.
Passing the REINS Act is essential to stop unelected administrative regulators who are not accountable to Congress from dictating the lives of Americans, protect the general welfare, and rein in overburdensome regulation.
Making sure America keeps its promise to our veterans. I will work to expand Tricare so every veteran can see the doctor of their choice, I will have two full-time staffers, one in the district and one in Washington, dedicated to helping veterans get the care and benefits they’ve earned.
3. What should Congress be doing to rein in inflation and/or stabilize/boost the economy?
There are multiple steps Congress must take to stabilize the economy and ensure strong, durable, and real growth for our future. We need to immediately pass a budget that balances the budget. Continuing with the inflationary fiscal policy is not something we can build our nation’s future on.
Other than that, reigning in regulatory agencies and taking a sledgehammer to said agencies to stimulate growth is the bare minimum the Federal Government can do to stimulate growth and reorient the economy forward.
4. What should Congress be doing to reform immigration laws?
Congress needs to end the H1B program, the idea that the National Government should be promoting and facilitating the replacement of American workers in their own nation is an insane suggestion, and insane policy. We also need to truly reexamine the way we vet and allow people into this nation. Becoming an American is a privilege, not a right, and we need to have higher standards for those seeking to become an American citizen.
5. At a time when the White House is asserting more control over national security and spending without Congress’ input, how would you handle disagreements over the division of power?
Those who have been in Congress for the past few decades do not get to complain about the Executive Branch exercising authority that they delegated to the executive branch. I do believe that Congress should reassert their control over certain duties and responsibilities, but it will take time to assert that control that has been delegated.
6. The past year has brought tremendous uncertainty to many Americans surrounding rising health insurance premiums and lack of access to medical care near their homes. What do you believe Congress should be doing to make health care affordable and accessible to residents in your state?
Congress needs to pass President Trump’s healthcare plan as well as stop other countries from implementing mandated price caps that force them to raise prices in America.
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