Brandon Herrera is running for Congress

[old lady new shooter]

Besides the FFL, what advantage does Brandon bring over the Republican incumbent?

Brandon Herrera

Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics

ballotpedia.org

Tony Gonzales

Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics

ballotpedia.org

Texas' 23rd Congressional District

ballotpedia.org

Sticking with 2A for a moment, 14 House Republicans voted for the "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act", Tony Gonzales was one of them. Here's the full list:

• Steve Chabot (Ohio), Liz Cheney (Wyo.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Penn.), Tony Gonzales (Texas), Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio), Christopher Jacobs (N.Y.), David Joyce (Ohio), John Katko (N.Y.), Adam Kinzinger (Ill.), Peter Meijer (Mich.), Tom Rice (S.C.), Maria Elvira Salazar (Fla.), Michael Turner (Ohio), and Fred Upton (Mich.).

 

[old lady new shooter]

True but people in their prime to be leaders of a nation in the 21st century are not high school educated and never been anywhere or done anything outside of their locale. Think Lincoln. Educated and traveled for the early 19th century US. And yea, we must assign morality and trustworthiness to those seeking national office. You see who we get when you don’t. Low standards equals low quality. And the US leadership is replete with low quality and it is because of our low standards. Hence, the the reason you see big re-election rates. They show us who they are and yet we re-elect them. Real smart and wise. Amazes me all the excuses people come up with for leaders. Especially ones leading a nation. Scary. This nation doesn’t have a lot going for it when all we can do is elect the same crooks over and over. Primaries are important. Americans need to stop listening to what the parties say is the best candidate. Guarantee they are not.

Here is his bio, from his campaign website:

With family originating in Texas, he was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina with both parents being from military families. He attended Campbell University with a focus on Pre-Law before leaving to focus on starting a small business in firearm manufacturing.

Using a lifelong passion for firearms, he was able to build his business as well as a large social media following. Accumulating over half a billion views using entertainment to promote firearm safety and 2nd amendment advocacy, he has become a leader in the industry.

After increased frustration over government overreach during the COVID lockdowns of 2020, Brandon came back to his roots and moved to Texas for good, bringing his businesses and employees along with him.

He works with pro-freedom groups both in the Second Amendment community and otherwise, including notable partners such as the National Association for Gun Rights, the Firearm Policy Coalition, Gun Owners of America, and Young Americans for Liberty.

Brandon is a very strong constitutionalist who believes one of the keys to individual Liberty is limiting federal power as much as possible, and returning that power to the states to decide issues for themselves.

 

[Chief TC]

Frankly, I don't see where attending most modern schools and colleges would prepare anyone to honestly represent a diverse population.
-And I firmly believe that getting a law degree is the worst possible way to prepare for a political position, since lawyers MUST hold the philosophy that truth and the law are merely a matter of opinion.

Agree on the law degree. As far as education, it needs to be something beyond high school, experience beyond their locale. The key to a successful leader is broadening your mind and horizons. To learn about the country and world at large. Those that never really do anything beyond high school and their locale are limited. There is so much knowledge to be gained and it takes more than a high school diploma, living in your city or region, and much more experience than a 20 or 30 something year old. The issue is not saying someone with a degree has what it takes, it is saying those without education or worldly experiences are very limited. No education, no experience equals limited abilities no matter how smart or credible the person may be. However, if I had to pick integrity over education and experiences I surely would but again, what is the problem with having high standards for politicians and expecting them to have everything necessary.

 

[General Geoff]

A basic education nowadays for professionals is pretty much some sort of masters degree. A degree does not make a person smart if trustworthy. I look at it as a basic requirement for knowledge.

As someone who has had the responsibility to hire for a skilled labor position, I can assure you that holding a college degree, even a masters, is no indication of knowledge or talent

 

[Chief TC]

As someone who has had the responsibility to hire for a skilled labor position, I can assure you that holding a college degree, even a masters, is no indication of knowledge or talent

I too have the same responsibility. Agreed, never said it was. Read my post above.

 

[General Geoff]

I too have the same responsibility. Agreed, never said it was. Read my post above.

It was more a disagreement on it being a basic requirement. I don't hold the lack of a college degree against anyone, especially people who are under the age of 35. The cost is just too high for too little benefit, unless you are pursuing a career in something that legally requires an accredited degree.

 

[Chief TC]

It was more a disagreement on it being a basic requirement. I don't hold the lack of a college degree against anyone, especially people who are under the age of 35. The cost is just too high for too little benefit, unless you are pursuing a career in something that legally requires an accredited degree.

Actually, getting a degree does not have to be right after high school nor expensive. The business model of state schools is sink people into debt. Anyone can go to community college for their 2 year degree with little expense and decide where to get their BA/BS without having to go in debt for 10s of 1000s at a major university. The biggest thing most people learn that pay attention in college is how to read and write and communicate more effectively. This is why so many people believe anything they hear or read that syncs with their world view. The never learn any discernment and how to read for comprehension and evaluation. This is where a real education has power but like anything else, you get out what you put into it. And again, I am talking about hose wishing to be national leaders, not everyone. National leaders should be educated, have a diversity of experiences and been around the block a few times. The candidate they presented here is not qualified to be a national leader by my standards.

 

[Old Dog]

A 27-year-old YouTube "content creator."

Not a veteran.

Enthusiast of the Russian rifle and not American battle rifles.

Much controversy a few years back about rifles ordered, never received and the whole Lee Armory thing.

I know nothing about him, and there's not much substantial on the 'net that tells me he's gonna be a good candidate, other than he's very pro-2A and running as a Republican from Texas.

 

[General Geoff]

The candidate they presented here is not qualified to be a national leader by my standards.

He's not running to be a world leader. He's running to represent a district of voters in Texas at the national level in Congress.

He could have an IQ of 95 and be a high school drop-out, and still better represent his district, his state, and his country than most reps by merely (1) showing up for work consistently, and (2) actually reading bills before he votes on them.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Agree on the law degree. As far as education, it needs to be something beyond high school, experience beyond their locale. The key to a successful leader is broadening your mind and horizons. To learn about the country and world at large. Those that never really do anything beyond high school and their locale are limited. There is so much knowledge to be gained and it takes more than a high school diploma, living in your city or region, and much more experience than a 20 or 30 something year old. The issue is not saying someone with a degree has what it takes, it is saying those without education or worldly experiences are very limited. No education, no experience equals limited abilities no matter how smart or credible the person may be. However, if I had to pick integrity over education and experiences I surely would but again, what is the problem with having high standards for politicians and expecting them to have everything necessary.

Ages of some key participants in the Revolutionary War as of July 4, 1776

Marquis de Lafayette, 18
James Monroe, 18
Gilbert Stuart, 20
Aaron Burr, 20
Alexander Hamilton, 21
Betsy Ross, 24
James Madison, 25
Thomas Jefferson, 33

 

[tarosean]

But, if a 20 something bartender from NYC can do it...

You mean that 20yr old bartender that happened to graduate Cum Laude from Boston U?


TX 23 is a huge district with not much out there. Some places still don’t have high speed internet. Being popular on Youtube won’t get the votes. That’s a ton of miles to campaign.

 

[Old Dog]

I have no issues regarding age or education. For example, I have a daughter who is still very young and doesn't have a graduate degree whom I believe would make an awesome Congressman, Senator, Mayor, Governor.

And frankly, I look with suspicion at anyone with a law degree these days if they have political aspirations. I know of many with advanced degrees, including PhDs (within my own family, even) I wouldn't trust to send to the corner market to buy a half-gallon of milk.

I just want to hear candidates say something with substance. Still wondering how we end up with people such as AOC, Tlaib, Booker, Omar, Pressley... and to be fair, MTG and Boebert.

 

[Ignition Override]

Interesting topic, the one which is about Mr. Herrera…..

 

[hoardingthemanual]

I’m a Texan. Can’t say anything in this thread made me like him. But I’m supposed to hoot and holler because he likes guns? Please stop lying to yourself. Bless your heart.

 

[Robert]

Based on some of the responses in this thread we have no hope. But then, I already knew that. A pro liberty, pro small government, pro people, pro constitutional republican, why is that so scary to people.

This belief that a politician needs to be a middle aged guy is ludicrous. So he is young, big deal. Many of the founding fathers were less than 40. We have plenty of old men and women in Congress. How's that working out for us? Just because someone is young and undereducated, in your opinion, doesn't mean they do not possess the requirements to be a leader.

But let's cling to the notion that the status quo worsk and watch as our rights and freedoms are slowly traded away. Hopefully it's slowly...

 

[Robert]

Not a veteran.

What does that have to do with anything. Being a veteran does not make someone an expert on firearms. Or anything else for that matter. I respect all veterans and most of my friends are vets, but some of the best subject matter experts I know never served.

 

[Robert]

How does liking and building AKs make him somehow less qualified to be in Congress? This argument is absolutely asinine. I like my FAL more than my AR. Does that mean I can't run for office?

Let's hear what he actually has to say on the topics that matter before we start inventing reasons not to like him...

 

[chicharrones]

I figure that Herrera won't win his first election unless he has a SNL moment that goes viral with conservatives like Crenshaw had. And Herrera has no eye patch to get an SNL moment. Even then, there was no incumbent in the race for Crenshaw.

Crenshaw was up against a repub primary candidate with huge money and well supported by her fellow repubs. Only because she funneled them money in previous years, IMO. Those established repubs spread all kinds of falsehoods about Crenshaw in the primary, he was simply not their man at that time.

I feel that Crenshaw was in the right place at the right time to win his first try. I'm not so sure Herrera is in that same spot right now.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Herrera may or may not be in it to win it but he is definitely in it to push the discussion in the direction of his interests, regardless of which candidate wins... .

 

[Chief TC]

He's not running to be a world leader. He's running to represent a district of voters in Texas at the national level in Congress.

He could have an IQ of 95 and be a high school drop-out, and still better represent his district, his state, and his country than most reps by merely (1) showing up for work consistently, and (2) actually reading bills before he votes on them.

It is a national leadership position. The current 535 morons affect ALL of us. It is not just about his district in Texas. You might find low standards acceptable for these people but I will never lower my standards and expectations for these national leaders.

 

[Chief TC]

Based on some of the responses in this thread we have no hope. But then, I already knew that. A pro liberty, pro small government, pro people, pro constitutional republican, why is that so scary to people.

This belief that a politician needs to be a middle aged guy is ludicrous. So he is young, big deal. Many of the founding fathers were less than 40. We have plenty of old men and women in Congress. How's that working out for us? Just because someone is young and undereducated, in your opinion, doesn't mean they do not possess the requirements to be a leader.

But let's cling to the notion that the status quo worsk and watch as our rights and freedoms are slowly traded away. Hopefully it's slowly...

We covered all that. I stated my standards for people who are elected to national office. I will not compromise my standards and expectations for these important leadership positions. As far as I'm concerned, Americans have had pretty much zero standards for their elected officials, so it is not a surprise who we have and see them elected repeatedly. We have high standards for every field but when it comes to governance, seems you can have nothing for a resume. Not smart and doesn't make sense. Ahh, and we haven't even touched on all the wasted resources that enables our system to basically make the winner the person who raised the most money. So now it is all about no resume and who has the most money - nice hiring protocols for positions that can destroy our lives. Geez.

 

[edwardware]

2A is not a qualification. 2A is already part of the republican agenda.

Which republicans are you referring to? I must have missed them while I was distracted by the Republicans(TM), Mitch McConnell et al, wasting almost every opportunity to make progress.

Unqualified? I want integrity first. Politicians can hire lawyers…I want a smart and honest person above all.

Yup. Brandon has, I think, this unappreciated trait, almost unheard of in the elites who fashion themselves our betters: an unwillingness to lie.

Watch his videos and tell me he's afraid to tell the truth; tell me how he's lied or prevaricated because he's afraid of being cancelled.

Buckley once pointed out, about professional elites, that he'd:

. . . rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the telephone directory, than by the Harvard University faculty.

If, in the rush to fire the professional ruling class en masse, a few good men are also put out of office, they'll be ok and they'll be back soon enough.

 

[Chief TC]

Which republicans are you referring to? I must have missed them while I was distracted by the Republicans(TM), Mitch McConnell et al, wasting almost every opportunity to make progress.

Yup. Brandon has, I think, this unappreciated trait, almost unheard of in the elites who fashion themselves our betters: an unwillingness to lie.

Watch his videos and tell me he's afraid to tell the truth; tell me how he's lied or prevaricated because he's afraid of being cancelled.

Buckley once pointed out, about professional elites, that he'd:

If, in the rush to fire the professional ruling class en masse, a few good men are also put out of office, they'll be ok and they'll be back soon enough.

Republican is too broad a term these days I suppose. Old school republicans that actually further the conservative agenda are very much 2A. The current ilk of republicans in office are pretty much NOT the republican party anymore if you look at the divergence from the former conservative agenda and their embrace of the crazy and insane fringe groups. This group looks nothing like the the repubs of the Reagan/HW Bush era.

 

[Justin]

@Kershaw I'm curious what makes his affiliates less than savory?

If nothing else, perhaps a strong primary will scare his opponent into realizing the ways of a RINO won't be tolerated? At best, perhaps a strong pro 2A representative would be sent to Washington. The ability of one, or a handful, of motivated reps can certainly reduce the likelihood of a piece of legislation from passing.

Administrative Results is the name of a guntuber who presented anonymously. He offended some people with delicate sensitivities by making edgy jokes in his videos.

This resulted in the fan base for Karl Kasarda from InrangeTV publicly doxxing Admin. Results, whereupon it was revealed that he is an ex-law enforcement officer who goes to church, has a family, holds generally conservative views, and lifts weights for fun.

Since then AR has been posting videos showing his face and under his real name.

Karl Kasarda denies being responsible for the doxxing incident, but given his background in cybersecurity and evident personal dislike for AR, I have my doubts. Karl has also made comments that have garnered him respect among people who are extremely far left, including antifa-adjacent, the trans movement, and appearances with the Church of Satan, so I suppose it's not surprising that Karl or his fanbase would dislike AR to the point of doxxing him.

Karl's outspoken behavior ultimately led to the deal KE Arms had with Brownells for the WWSD rifles being dropped. It's also probably why Ian McCollum hasn't done anything with him in quite some time.


As for Lucas Botkin, I don't know why anyone would throw shade at him. From what I've seen he seems fine, nothing he's done has really popped up on my radar.

 

[Chief TC]

Well, it's been an interesting exchange folks but I' done with this thread as I've been clear that I will not compromise my standards for these people needs to be a highest level due to their impact on us and the nation. Ultimately, I see no reason to argue for no to low standards in ANY job or field.