Herrera, Padilla Stout and Mendoza vie for Texas congressional seat vacated by Gonzales
The article profiles three candidates competing for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, which includes El Paso and stretches across West Texas to San Antonio. Republican Brandon Herrera supports greater scrutiny of artificial intelligence data centers, while Democrat Katy Padilla Stout has proposed a moratorium on new facilities until protections for water supplies, electricity infrastructure and taxpayers are established.
Brandon Herrera, Katy Padilla Stout and independent Ben Mendoza are competing for the congressional seat representing Texas’ 23rd District after former Rep. Tony Gonzales resigned. The district extends from El Paso through West Texas to San Antonio, and the candidates differ on border security, affordability, health care and rural concerns.
Data center policy emerged as one issue in the race. Herrera said communities should have a meaningful role in approving artificial intelligence data centers and proposed requiring developers to replenish more resources than their facilities consume because of potential impacts on water supplies and electricity costs. Padilla Stout called for a moratorium on new AI data centers until Congress establishes safeguards for water, power infrastructure and taxpayers, while Mendoza focused on rising electricity costs and support for electric cooperatives.