Republican congressional candidate, Brandon Herrera, has suffered defeat in the 2026 United States midterm elections, losing his bid to represent Texas’ 23rd Congressional District to Democratic challenger Katy Padilla Stout.
Herrera, who attracted widespread criticism during the campaign for making derogatory comments about women, became a subject of controversy after remarks he made about Mya Lesnar, the daughter of former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar, resurfaced.
In a video circulated before the election, Herrera made an insulting comparison about Mya’s physical appearance, saying she “looks like the f***ing alien dude from Prometheus”.
The comments formed part of a wider pattern of controversial remarks about women’s appearances attributed to the Republican candidate.
Stout ultimately secured the congressional seat, marking a significant political shift in the district, which had been under Republican control for more than a decade. The Associated Press called the race in her favour after election results showed her defeating Herrera.
According to reported results, Stout received approximately 52 per cent of the vote, compared with Herrera’s 44 per cent.
Following his defeat, Herrera acknowledged the outcome in a social media statement. However, he also made claims about his campaign’s activities, alleging that someone from his team had infiltrated Stout’s campaign by posing as a member of her organisation.
The allegation raises questions about campaign conduct, particularly as election laws in some US states restrict deceptive practices involving candidate identity and campaign activities. Whether the alleged operation violated any applicable law has not been established.
Despite the controversies surrounding his public comments, Herrera had received endorsements from prominent Republican figures, including US President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Trump had previously expressed confidence in the candidate, declaring that Herrera “WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.”
Herrera’s online history also attracted scrutiny during the campaign. In 2024, footage emerged showing him performing a Nazi-style march while carrying a Second World War-era submachine gun. He subsequently rejected suggestions that the footage reflected hateful or extremist beliefs.
The election outcome marks a major setback for Herrera, whose popularity as a firearms enthusiast and online personality had helped him build a substantial following before entering congressional politics.
Meanwhile, the Lesnar family has continued to attract attention beyond professional wrestling.
Brock Lesnar, one of WWE’s most decorated performers, retired from in-ring competition at SummerSlam 2026. His achievements include multiple world championship reigns, a King of the Ring victory and two Royal Rumble wins.
His daughter, Mya Lesnar, has also established herself as a notable name in athletics. She has earned several shot put championships and set records, building a sporting career independent of her father’s wrestling legacy.
Herrera’s defeat therefore brings an end to a closely watched congressional campaign that attracted national attention over his political positions, online persona and controversial public remarks.
