Brandon Herrera Rallies with Kyle Rittenhouse in El Paso Amid Runoff Campaign

In a significant political development in Texas, Republican candidate Brandon Herrera, who is currently in a runoff race against incumbent U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales for the Texas 23rd Congressional District, took his campaign efforts to El Paso, where he was joined by Kyle Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse, whose acquittal in the killings of two individuals during a Wisconsin protest in 2020 sparked national debate, has since relocated to Texas and begun endorsing conservative figures, aligning himself with Herrera’s campaign trail.

The campaign event, which took place at Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q, saw an unexpected turn when it began later than scheduled, a factor attributed by organizers to logistical reasons. This gathering marked a rare public appearance for Rittenhouse, who has largely remained a polarizing figure in American politics. Despite the intrigue surrounding Rittenhouse’s participation, Herrera’s team imposed restrictions on media access, opting not to engage in interviews at the event. Instead, the campaign emphasized its focus on direct voter engagement tactics such as block walking and the distribution of yard signs, aiming to solidify grassroots support in the district.

The presence of Rittenhouse and the campaign’s strategy drew criticism from Gonzales’ campaign office, which pointed out Herrera’s alignment with controversial figures instead of addressing core issues important to Texas and the border region. In contrast, Gonzales’ camp highlighted his endorsements and his commitment to border security and other critical state concerns. The political atmosphere in the 23rd Congressional District remains charged as Herrera seeks to unseat Gonzales, with both camps leveraging every opportunity to appeal to voters ahead of the runoff.