A Democratic congressional candidate in Texas is facing scrutiny following revelations that her campaign spent more than $4,300 on items including cookies, alcoholic beverages, and restaurant meals. Federal Election Commission (FEC) records indicate that Katy Padilla Stout, the Democratic nominee for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, made five transactions totaling $4,338.14 during March and April 2026. These expenditures have become a focal point for her Republican opponent, Brandon Herrera, ahead of the November 3 general election.
"Sugar cookies, particularly Texas-shaped ones, hold a special place in Texan culture." Katy Padilla Stout, Democratic Nominee, Texas' 23rd Congressional District
The reported campaign finance filings, cited by Fox News, detail a $675 payment made on March 30 for an expense described as "COOKIES FOR EVENT." Further expenditures included two purchases from Total Wine on April 21 and April 22, amounting to $1,289.22, both categorized as "BEER AND WINE." Additionally, Stout’s campaign reported spending $2,027.52 at Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana on April 27, followed by another transaction of $346.40 at the same restaurant the following day, bringing the total for restaurant purchases to $2,373.92.
Katy Padilla Stout, a former teacher and child welfare attorney, defended these expenses in a statement to Fox News Digital. She asserted that the purchases were directly connected to campaign activities and fundraising efforts, rather than personal use. "The disbursements were for campaign and fundraising events which were attended by our supporters," Stout explained. She also specifically addressed the cookie purchase, stating, "Sugar cookies, particularly Texas-shaped ones, hold a special place in Texan culture." Stout further justified the choice by adding, "We bought ours at a local bakery because we believe in supporting small businesses."
The expenditures have drawn sharp criticism from Brandon Herrera’s campaign, which has amplified the spending through an opposition website. A section on the website, labeled "Cookie-gate," specifically highlights the $675 cookie transaction and its stated purpose. While the campaign finance disclosures have brought attention to the spending, they do not currently indicate any violation of election laws or suggest the funds were used for personal gain.
The controversy over campaign spending adds another layer to an already heated contest for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. This district stretches from the San Antonio area towards El Paso, encompassing a significant portion of the U.S.-Mexico border. The congressional seat became open after Republican Tony Gonzales resigned earlier this year, following an acknowledgment of an affair with a staff member, as reported by the New York Post.
The campaign finance dispute comes on the heels of a contentious televised debate held in San Antonio. During the debate, Stout criticized Herrera over his online content, specifically accusing him of profiting from controversial videos that included Nazi references. Stout stated, "He made millions of dollars after making jokes online, making fun of Nazis, making fun of all of these things that we know he does not need to be doing." Herrera quickly retorted, "And here I thought making fun of Nazis was a good thing." Stout later acknowledged she had "misspeak" and attempted to clarify her position, asserting her objection was to what she characterized as the trivialization of serious historical events. In a subsequent statement, she maintained, "Mocking Nazis is fine, and that is not what I objected to."
Throughout her campaign, Stout has prioritized issues such as affordability and government accountability. Herrera, a firearms manufacturer and online personality, has focused his platform on border security, tax reductions, and Second Amendment protections. With early voting scheduled to begin on October 19, the debate surrounding Katy Padilla Stout’s campaign expenditures is likely to remain a significant point of contention as both candidates vie for the congressional seat.
