Brandon Herrera’s Comments About Women’s Voting Rights Resurface
Republican congressional candidate Brandon Herrera is facing renewed scrutiny over comments he made during a 2023 podcast discussion about women’s voting rights.
During an episode of Painkiller Already, Herrera discussed UFC fighter Sean Strickland’s argument that women should lose the right to vote. Herrera then commented on the 19th Amendment, which established women’s constitutional voting rights in 1920.
“I’m not saying that the 19th amendment was a mistake,” Herrera said. “I’m just saying the country went to shit after.” MeidasTouch
The comments have resurfaced as Herrera campaigns for Congress in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. Texas Public Radio reported in October 2026 that Herrera’s past online comments about women and other subjects were drawing scrutiny during the congressional race. TPR
What Did Brandon Herrera Actually Say?
The context matters.
Herrera did not explicitly say in the quoted portion that he wanted to repeal the 19th Amendment. In fact, he specifically said he was not saying the amendment itself was a mistake.
However, his statement came during a conversation about an argument that women should lose their voting rights, followed immediately by his claim that the country “went to shit” after the amendment’s adoption. MeidasTouch
That distinction is important when describing the remarks.
It would therefore be more precise to say that Herrera made a negative comment about the period after women gained voting rights, rather than stating as fact that he has formally proposed abolishing women’s right to vote.
What Is the 19th Amendment?
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1920.
It prohibits denying or restricting the right to vote on the basis of sex. The National Archives describes the amendment as guaranteeing American women’s constitutional right to vote following decades of organizing, activism and political campaigning. National Archives
The amendment was passed by Congress in 1919 and ratified by the required states in 1920. National Archives
Herrera Also Discussed an “End Women’s Suffrage” Stunt
During the same discussion, Herrera described a proposed stunt involving petitions asking people to support ending “women’s suffrage.”
The idea played on the similarity between “suffrage” and “suffering.” According to reporting on the podcast discussion, the proposed activity involved asking people in Austin to sign the petitions. MeidasTouch
That context has become part of the renewed scrutiny surrounding Herrera’s comments.
Brandon Herrera’s Congressional Campaign
Herrera, known online as “The AK Guy,” is a firearms manufacturer and YouTube personality with a large online following. He is running as the Republican nominee in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. Texas Public Radio reported that he is facing Democrat Katy Padilla Stout in the race. TPR
The resurfaced comments are now being discussed as part of a broader examination of Herrera’s past online statements.
Herrera’s campaign and supporters have characterized some of his controversial online material as part of his previous internet persona. TPR reported that Speaker Mike Johnson said Herrera had apologized for some remarks, while the outlet noted that Herrera had not publicly apologized for all of the statements under scrutiny. TPR
Why the Comments Are Drawing Attention Now
The remarks were made in 2023, but they have resurfaced in 2026 while Herrera is seeking congressional office.
The renewed attention illustrates how comments made before a political campaign can become campaign issues when a candidate seeks elected office.
For voters, the underlying question is not simply what was said in 2023, but how Herrera currently describes those remarks and whether his present political positions differ from statements made during his time as an online personality.
As of the reporting reviewed for this article, the 2023 statement remains the central piece of evidence behind the controversy. MeidasTouch
Key Facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who made the comment? | Brandon Herrera |
| When was it made? | 2023 |
| Where? | Painkiller Already podcast |
| Amendment discussed | 19th Amendment |
| What did Herrera say? | “I’m not saying that the 19th amendment was a mistake. I’m just saying the country went to shit after.” |
| Does the quote explicitly call for repealing women’s voting rights? | No |
| Did the discussion involve an argument that women should lose the vote? | Yes |
| When was the 19th Amendment ratified? | 1920 |
| Current context | Herrera’s 2026 congressional campaign |
Editorial note: The headline uses Herrera’s own quoted language. The article distinguishes his exact statement from the broader claim that he explicitly advocated abolishing women’s right to vote.
