A Democratic congressional candidate in Texas has reported over $4,300 in expenses related to cookies, meals at a Mexican restaurant, and alcohol, according to federal election records. This revelation has gained traction, especially following a tense debate where she apologized for an inappropriate comment about her Republican opponent making jokes about Nazis.
Katy Padilla Stout, who is running for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, documented $4,338.14 in expenditures throughout five transactions in March and April. These details were highlighted in an August report and referenced in records from the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The expenditures included $675 spent on cookies for a campaign event, $1,289.22 at Total Wine, and $2,373.92 at Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana.
This spending has become a point of criticism, particularly from Republican Brandon Herrera, whose campaign site features the cookie purchase and accuses Stout of misusing donor funds for such expenses.
The campaign noted a $675 transaction dated March 30 for “COOKIES FOR EVENT.” Herrera’s site identifies Denise Gamboa Zelle as the payee and classifies the cost as a campaign-related expense.
Other charges comprised $1,089.08 at Total Wine on April 21 and an additional $200.14 the next day, both labeled as “BEER AND WINE.” Stout’s campaign also reported payments of $2,027.52 and $346.40 to Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana on consecutive dates later in April.
In response to the scrutiny, Stout stated that the funds were used for campaign and fundraising events attended by supporters. She emphasized the importance of sugar cookies in Texas culture, noting that their cookies came from a local bakery to support small businesses.
While the filings confirm the campaign’s financial activities, they don’t clarify if the purchases were inappropriate or how many individuals participated in the relevant events.
The spending has drawn fire from Herrera’s campaign, which has set up a dedicated opposition site, The Real Katy Stout. The site features the cookie expenditure and critiques Stout’s stance on various issues like immigration and taxes.
As both candidates compete for a congressional seat in a large district that extends along the southern border, their contest has heated up. During a recent live debate in San Antonio, Stout mentioned Herrera’s online antics, saying, “He made millions of dollars after making jokes online, making fun of Nazis, making fun of all of these things.”
Herrera retorted, “And here I thought making fun of Nazis was a good thing.” Stout later expressed regret for her comment and sought to clarify her stance.
“I apologize, I did misspeak,” she remarked. “He chooses to goose-step on YouTube for clickbait and money to promote that type of ideology. He chooses to shame women.”
In her follow-up, she asserted that she has no issue with mocking Nazis but criticized the trivialization of serious issues like veteran suicide and historical atrocities that she associates with Herrera’s content. She pointed to specific instances of his videos as problematic, contending that they attract harsh criticism from diverse quarters, including bipartisan groups.
Stout, a former teacher and child welfare attorney, has prioritized themes of affordability and integrity in her campaign.
Herrera, who manufactures firearms and is known for his online persona, leans heavily into themes of border enforcement, tax cuts, and the Second Amendment, adopting “Let’s Go Brandon” as his campaign slogan.
The two candidates are running to succeed former Republican Representative Tony Gonzales, who stepped down earlier this year following revelations of an affair. Texas’ 23rd Congressional District stretches from the San Antonio area to El Paso, covering expansive areas along the US-Mexico border. Early voting begins on October 19, with Election Day set for November 3.
Herrera’s campaign had not responded to requests for comments as of the report’s release.
