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Susan Storey Rubio (Texas)
Susan Storey Rubio (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 23rd Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled on March 3, 2026.[source]
Biography
Rubio attended Southwest Texas State University and University of Incarnate Word. As of the 2026 election, she had been a business owner for more than 30 years and operated a ranch.[1]
2026 battleground election
Ballotpedia identified the March 3 Republican primary for Texas' 23rd Congressional District as a battleground election. The summary below is from our coverage of this election, found here.
Incumbent Tony Gonzales (R), Brandon Herrera (R), and Susan Storey Rubio (R) are running in the Republican primary for Texas' 23rd Congressional District on March 3, 2026. The filing deadline is December 8, 2025.
This is a rematch of the 2024 primary. Gonzales defeated Herrera 50.6%–49.4% in the runoff after neither candidate won a majority in the primary. The Texas Tribune's Owen Dahlkamp described the 2026 primary as "yet another proxy war between the more centrist Gonzales and the right-wing, fire-breather Herrera."[2]
Gonzales was first elected to the House in 2020. The Texas Tribune's Renzo Downey described Gonzales as "a centrist from San Antonio and U.S. Navy veteran."[3] Gonzales highlighted the following accomplishments and says he has delivered for the district during his three terms in office: securing funding to hire more than 100 police officers in the district, opening a South Texas facility for treating the screwworm livestock parasite, and appropriating more than $4.7 billion in funding for healthcare for veterans.[4][5][6]
Herrera describes himself as "an entrepreneur, Second Amendment activist, and social media personality" who owns a firearms manufacturing company (The AK Guy) and operates a firearms-related YouTube channel.[7][8] In his 2026 campaign kickoff, Herrera said, "It started to eat at me. Those things that I didn't like about D.C., about my congressman, they didn't change...as much as it's more comfortable to just look the other way, I can't bow out of a fight if I know I can make a difference. It's just not how I'm wired."[9]
Rubio is the owner and operator of a ranch. Rubio says she is "a woman of faith and a bold conservative advocate...raised with the tireless work ethic that characterizes the people of this district."[10] In her campaign kickoff video, Rubio said, "Your representative should represent you, not the D.C. establishment. Tony Gonzales is a spineless moderate who didn't do a thing to stand up to Joe Biden and the Democrats and hasn't lifted a finger to help President Trump."[11]
As of October 2025, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball each rated the general election Safe/Solid Republican. In the 2024 election, Gonzales defeated Santos Limon (D) 62.3%–32.7%. An Inside Elections analysis of the August 2025 redistricting in Texas found that "Rep. Tony Gonzales’s 23rd District remains Solid Republican."[12]
Elections
2026
See also: Texas' 23rd Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.
General election for U.S. House Texas District 23
Patti Hale Ashe is running in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 23 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Patti Hale Ashe (Independent) | ||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 23
Gretel Marysdatter Enck, Santos Limon, Gregory Lopez, Katy Padilla Stout, and Peter White are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 23 on March 3, 2026.
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 23
Incumbent Tony Gonzales, Keith Barton, Brandon Herrera, and Susan Storey Rubio are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 23 on March 3, 2026.
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ezekiel Enriquez (R)
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from RealClearPolitics, when available. We will regularly check for polling aggregation for this race and add polls here once available. To notify us of polls available for this race, please email us.
Election campaign finance
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Gonzales | Republican Party | $1,508,588 | $463,895 | $2,503,680 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Keith Barton | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Brandon Herrera | Republican Party | $307,272 | $9,221 | $306,092 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Susan Storey Rubio | Republican Party | $418,519 | $418,519 | $0 | As of October 24, 2025 |
|
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." |
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Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[13][14][15]
If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.
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Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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Campaign website
Rubio's campaign website stated the following:
Securing Our Southern Border
Joe Biden allowed violent cartels and gangs to take control of our border and infiltrate our country while our representative, Tony Gonzales, remained silent.
Under the weak leadership of the Biden Administration and Tony Gonzales, millions of illegal immigrants and enough fentanyl to kill every American multiple times over flooded across our Southern Border. President Trump needs an unwavering conservative in Congress to continue securing our Southern Border to protect our communities and national security. I will fight alongside President Trump and other Republicans to protect Americans and their property from the damaging effects of illegal immigration.
Reducing the National Debt
Our growing national debt threatens the future of our children and generations to come. It is imperative that we balance the budget and reduce the national debt. Raising a family and running a successful small business, I learned how to make sacrifices, prioritize needs, and spend efficiently. Every American must balance their check book – the federal government should do the same.
America First Tariffs
America has been taken advantage of by other nations for decades. President Trump is fighting to put American producers and families first by implementing reciprocal tariffs. Bringing jobs back on US soil and compelling other nations to renegotiate fairer trade deals should be celebrated, and I fully support President Trump in this fight to make our economy stronger.
China owns the second largest share of our national debt, posing a substantial national security threat. These tariffs are the quickest way to be able to pay off our ever-growing national debt to mitigate national security concerns without raising taxes on hard-working Americans.
Defending Our 2nd Amendment Rights
“Shall not be infringed” means something in Texas. As an avid hunter and seventh generation Texan, I just have one thing to say – Come and Take It.
Standing with Law Enforcement
Brave men and women put their lives on the line every single day to protect communities across America. They deserve our support, training, and resources to ensure they can protect and serve Americans and make it home to their families at night. We are a nation of laws, and I am proud to stand with law enforcement.
Foreign Conflicts and National Security
Israel is America’s true democratic ally in the Middle East. We must defend their sovereignty and cut off support and funds to the terrorist organizations attacking their citizens and borders.
America is the city upon a hill, a beacon of democracy around the world. We should support democracies around the world in resisting authoritarians while considering the costs to our citizens. Blank checks and blind trust are a thing of the past. I will work with President Trump to achieve peace abroad while putting Americans first.
Supporting Our Military and Veterans
Peace through strength is the best way to keep Americans safe, at home and abroad. A strong United States deters our enemies from attacking our allies, allowing us to maintain peace across the globe. I will always support our military and the courageous men and women who are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
Our veterans deserve our help. The VA is a mess and needs to undergo an overhaul. Months-long waits to see a physician, poor quality care, and wild mismanagement is not what our heroes deserve.
Protecting Texas Agriculture
Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of the American economy. As a Texas rancher, I have a deep understanding of the struggles many in my district, and across the nation, are experiencing. I won’t forget my rich agricultural roots in Washington, D.C.; I will be an advocate for our agricultural industry, focused on buying American first and removing unnecessary, cumbersome regulations.
Lowering Taxes
Texans work hard to earn every penny. The more money in the people’s pockets, the greater the economic stimulus. I will fight to lower taxes so every American can keep more of their paycheck.
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
Texas dominates the energy industry. From electricity to renewable energy, Texas is the leading producer in the United States and is a leader among some of the world’s largest countries. We must protect energy jobs and expand our capacity to produce energy. Energy independence is vital to America’s national security.
Prioritizing American Health and Safety
Our children are the future, so it is critical that we protect their health and safety. I am ready to work with President Trump and the Department of Health and Human Services to remove harmful ingredients from our food supply and make America healthier.
The work the Trump Administration is doing to fight human trafficking and locate the hundreds of thousands of children who went missing under the Biden Administration is imperative. Innocent children must be protected at all costs, and I am ready to fight for them.
Supporting Local Growth in District 23
President Trump has brought manufacturing in many industries back to the US. Now is the opportune time to bring those companies and jobs to Texas. As the congresswoman from District 23, I will encourage companies to relocate to our district, which has expansive land and an industrious workforce to offer. The job growth and economic stimulus of increased business activity would help families across our communities.
Maintaining Our Heritage through Conservation
As an avid outdoorswoman and hunter, I have a passion for teaching the next generation about our American heritage and expanding the right to continue tradition. While working to preserve America’s outdoor heritage, I will support and promote effective conservation practices and defend the freedom of Americans to hunt and fish.
— Susan Storey Rubio's campaign website (November 21, 2025)
Campaign ads
Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Susan Storey Rubio while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Susan Storey Rubio campaign website, "About," accessed October 17, 2025
- ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Gun rights YouTuber Brandon Herrera to challenge U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales again in GOP primary," August 11, 2025
- ↑ The Texas Tribune, "U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales draws GOP primary challenge from Cotulla rancher Susan Storey Rubio," June 12, 2025
- ↑ Tony Gonzales campaign website, "Law Enforcement Backs Tony Gonzales," September 30, 2025
- ↑ Tony Gonzales campaign website, "MAJOR Screwworm Update," June 18, 2025
- ↑ Tony Gonzales campaign website, "Issues," accessed October 10, 2025
- ↑ Brandon Herrera campaign website, "Home page," accessed October 10, 2025
- ↑ The AK Guy, "Home page," accessed October 10, 2025
- ↑ YouTube, "Brandon Herrera on YouTube - I'm Running for Congress," August 9, 2025
- ↑ Susan Storey Rubio campaign website, "About," accessed October 10, 2025
- ↑ Susan Storey Rubio campaign website, "Home page," accessed October 10, 2025
- ↑ Inside Elections, "A Detailed Analysis of Texas’ New Congressional Map," August 27, 2025
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
