The Guardian profiles Texas congressional candidate Brandon Herrera, whose absolutist gun-rights positions and provocative past remarks have drawn criticism as he seeks the Republican nomination for a district that includes Uvalde. His Democratic rival Katy Padilla Stout argues that his comments about children and gun violence could turn voters against him.
Former Texas congressman who represented Uvalde and supported the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
ALSO MENTIONED Brendan Steinhauser, Republican strategist who criticized Herrera's Nazi-related jokes; George W Bush, Former Texas governor who signed a law allowing licensed concealed handgun carry; Greg Abbott, Texas governor who signed permitless carry into law; Kyle Rittenhouse, Gun-rights activist who endorsed Herrera and campaigned with him; Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action and critic of Herrera; Veronica Mata, Gun-safety advocate who lost her daughter in the Uvalde shooting
