---
title: "TX-23 Daily Brief and Civic Reference"
url: https://stovall.report/tx-23
publisher: "The Stovall Report"
brief_published: "October 13, 2026"
license: "© The Stovall Report. All rights reserved. Short quotations with attribution and a link are welcome."
---

# TX-23 Daily Brief and Civic Reference

A resident brief for Texas's 23rd Congressional District. The daily update and local headlines refresh every morning; the civic reference snapshot below was verified on October 13, 2026 and may have changed since.

## Today's update (Wednesday, October 21, 2026)

**TX-23 daily check**

12 new district stories in the last 36 hours.

## Civic reference (snapshot verified October 13, 2026)

### Still no date set to fill the empty U.S. House seat

- **What changed:** Six months after Rep. Tony Gonzales resigned (April 14), we have found no announcement from Gov. Greg Abbott setting a date for a special election to fill the TX-23 seat. The Clerk of the House still lists the seat as vacant.
- **Why it matters:** Until the seat is filled, TX-23 has no voting member in the U.S. House — no one casting floor votes on the district's behalf.
- **Who is affected:** All ~800,000 district residents, and anyone with a case pending before a federal agency that was being handled by the congressional office.
- **What you can do:** Casework continues: the district office still helps residents with federal agencies under the House Clerk, and both U.S. senators serve all Texans. Contacts are in “Your Representation in Congress” below.
- **Verify:** [House Clerk — TX-23 vacancy](https://clerk.house.gov/members/TX23/vacancy)

### Your November ballot is set — on new district lines

- **What changed:** TX-23 votes on Nov. 3 under Texas's new (2025) congressional map, which the U.S. Supreme Court allowed to take effect for 2026. Republican Brandon Herrera and Democrat Katy Padilla Stout are the major-party candidates for the seat.
- **Why it matters:** The district's boundaries changed, so some residents are now in a different congressional district — and this is the next scheduled chance to elect a representative.
- **Who is affected:** All registered voters, especially residents near the district's edges whose lines may have shifted.
- **What you can do:** The Oct. 5 voter-registration deadline has passed. Early voting runs Oct. 19–30 and Election Day is Nov. 3 — confirm your registration status and which district you're in at VoteTexas.gov.
- **Verify:** [VoteTexas.gov — check your registration](https://www.votetexas.gov/)

### Water rules stay tight as the region works through a long drought

- **What changed:** The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) held some of the strictest watering limits in its history through spring and summer 2026; after rains it eased from Stage 3 to Stage 2 (one-day-a-week sprinkler limit) in early August. We could not confirm the stage in effect in October.
- **Why it matters:** Watering rules affect daily life in the district's most populous corner, while low rangeland moisture keeps pressure on ranchers across the rural counties.
- **Who is affected:** San Antonio–area households on the district's eastern edge, and ranchers and farmers district-wide.
- **What you can do:** Check your current SAWS stage and watering day at saws.org before you water; rural producers can track conditions on the U.S. Drought Monitor.
- **Verify:** [U.S. Drought Monitor — Texas](https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?TX)

## Your representation in Congress

**U.S. House seat: VACANT** — Vacant since April 14, 2026.

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R) resigned effective April 14, 2026, amid a House Ethics Committee investigation.

TX-23 currently has no voting representative in the U.S. House. The district's congressional offices remain open and keep serving residents under the supervision of the Clerk of the House. By House rule, the vacant office can help with casework and explain the status of legislation, but cannot take policy positions, advocate, or cast votes.

We found no announcement of a special election as of Oct. 13, 2026; only the governor can call one. The next regularly scheduled U.S. House election is Nov. 3, 2026 (registration closed Oct. 5; early voting Oct. 19–30).

- **TX-23 offices (continuing under the House Clerk)** — Washington, DC (2239 Rayburn): (202) 225-4511; San Antonio (3522 Paesanos Pkwy, Ste 301): (210) 806-9920 ([Official vacancy page](https://clerk.house.gov/members/TX23/vacancy))
- **Sen. John Cornyn** — Washington: (202) 224-2934; San Antonio: (210) 224-7485 ([Help with a federal agency](https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/services/))
- **Sen. Ted Cruz** — Washington: (202) 224-5922; San Antonio: (210) 340-2885 ([Contact / request help](https://www.cruz.senate.gov/contact))
- **U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs** — 1-800-698-2411 ([https://www.va.gov/](https://www.va.gov/))
- **Social Security Administration** — 1-800-772-1213 ([https://www.ssa.gov/](https://www.ssa.gov/))
- **Any federal agency (directory)** — usa.gov/agency-index ([https://www.usa.gov/agency-index](https://www.usa.gov/agency-index))

Sources: [House Clerk — TX-23 vacancy](https://clerk.house.gov/members/TX23/vacancy) · [Texas SOS — Important election dates](https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/important-election-dates.shtml) · [TPR — Herrera's online remarks draw scrutiny (Oct 2, 2026)](https://www.tpr.org/government-politics/2026-10-02/herreras-online-remarks-draw-scrutiny-in-texas-23rd-congressional-district-race) · [TPR — When will Abbott call a special election?](https://www.tpr.org/government-politics/2026-04-15/when-will-gov-abbott-call-a-special-election-for-texas-23rd-congressional-district) · [Ballotpedia — TX-23 election, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Texas'_23rd_Congressional_District_election,_2026)

## Local items worth knowing

- **Supreme Court lets Texas use its new congressional map in 2026** (The Texas Tribune · Apr 27, 2026). Some residents are now in a different congressional district; it's worth checking which one is yours before November. [Texas Tribune](https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/27/texas-redistricting-map-ruling-us-supreme-court-upheld-2026-midterms/)
- **New bill would force states to fill U.S. House vacancies within 180 days** (The Texas Tribune · Apr 30, 2026). If it became law, districts like TX-23 wouldn't go many months without a voting representative the way this seat is now. [Texas Tribune](https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/30/texas-christian-menefee-first-bill-congress-vacancies-180-day-deadline-special-election/)
- **Border crossings in the Del Rio and Big Bend sectors remain far below their recent peak** (U.S. Customs and Border Protection · 2025 data). Border activity shapes traffic at ports of entry, local law-enforcement workload, and federal resources in the district's border counties. [CBP — Southwest Land Border Encounters](https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-land-border-encounters)

## District signals

- **U.S.–Mexico border:** 800+ miles — The longest stretch of the border of any U.S. House district. Source: [District profiles (TPR)](https://www.tpr.org/government-politics/2026-04-15/when-will-gov-abbott-call-a-special-election-for-texas-23rd-congressional-district)
- **Geography:** W. San Antonio → Big Bend (as of 2026 map) — Mostly rural Southwest Texas; includes part of San Antonio on its eastern edge. Source: [Wikipedia — TX-23](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas%27s_23rd_congressional_district)
- **Population:** ~806,000 (as of 2024) — District residents (under the 2022–2024 boundaries; see note). Source: [U.S. Census Bureau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas%27s_23rd_congressional_district)
- **Hispanic / Latino residents:** ~63% (as of 2024) — A majority-Hispanic district (2022–2024 boundaries; see note). Source: [U.S. Census Bureau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas%27s_23rd_congressional_district)
- **U.S. House seat:** Vacant (as of October 13, 2026) — No voting representative since April 14, 2026. Source: [Clerk of the House](https://clerk.house.gov/members/TX23/vacancy)
- **Next federal election:** Nov 3, 2026 (as of October 13, 2026) — Registration closed Oct. 5; early voting Oct. 19–30. Source: [Texas Secretary of State](https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/important-election-dates.shtml)

_Population and demographic figures describe the district under its 2022–2024 boundaries. The lines changed for 2026 (see above); updated Census estimates for the new map are not yet available._

## Local headlines (refreshed daily)

Headlines and links belong to the original publishers. Bottom-line and why-it-matters notes are AI-assisted resident briefs by The Stovall Report.

- [Pecos Police aid in search for San Antonio robbery, assault suspects](https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/pecos-police-aid-in-search-for-san-antonio-robbery-assault-suspects/513-39bd0ddc-341f-42f6-9da8-5fab35968b7c) — NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa) · Oct 20, 2026
- [Man accused of family violence, assault charges after dispute-turned-shooting inside Uvalde H-E-B, police say](https://www.kens5.com/article/news/crime/man-accused-of-family-violence-assault-charges-after-dispute-turned-shooting-inside-uvalde-h-e-b-police-say/273-ac013ccd-5282-4d77-9cc7-37d3eeab301a) — KENS5 San Antonio · Oct 20, 2026
- [Presidio ISD student detained after false weapon claim](https://www.firstalert7.com/2026/10/20/presidio-isd-student-detained-after-false-weapon-claim) — CBS7 Odessa · Oct 20, 2026
- [Gunman in Uvalde H-E-B had rifle, more ammo in vehicle](https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/gunman-in-uvalde-h-e-b-had-rifle-more-ammo-in-vehicle) — Uvalde Leader-News · Oct 20, 2026
- [Your Voice, Your Vote: Texas’ 23rd Congressional District Candidates sit down with ABC-7](https://kvia.com/your-voice-your-vote/2026/10/20/your-voice-your-vote-texas-23rd-congressional-district-candidates-sit-down-with-abc-7) — KVIA El Paso · Oct 20, 2026
- [Train tests begin in Presidio](https://bigbendsentinel.com/2026/10/20/train-tests-begin-in-presidio) — Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) · Oct 20, 2026
- [Opposition forms to Alpine data center proposal](https://bigbendsentinel.com/2026/10/20/opposition-forms-to-alpine-data-center-proposal) — Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) · Oct 20, 2026
- [NEWS — Homeland Security Task Force prosecution results in multiple convictions of alien smugglers in Del Rio](https://830times.com/news-homeland-security-task-force-prosecution-results-in-multiple-convictions-of-alien-smugglers-in-del-rioews) — 830 Times (Del Rio) · Oct 20, 2026
- [Homeland Security Task Force Prosecution Results in Multiple Convictions of Alien Smugglers in Del Rio](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivwFBVV95cUxQcWFET29KRGpUTXRmOE40VVBGVl9fam5TV241ZjJCVWZvUjRERnc3Sm1sNVg1VHltUWg2Y0lhanBSNklSRG9hQkZPSlZrNHpXcTdTLWxaTDl1NzZHcmhaR3dRc2tTMUlsTWtqclZ1ZFNieG9nVHhXOVEySTBSYkNtQ1I0RjVFTU1OZUFNWEotcnFkMF9yZDd6VjRRa0NQdUFvQTY5aEJmN29tY2pCam5sM2wyVEdqcEsxX1dSWnZYcw?oc=5) — Department of Justice (.gov) · via Google News · Oct 20, 2026
- [NEWS — SFDRCISD educator Chris Cardenas honored at Texas Teacher of the Year Celebration](https://830times.com/news-sfdrcisd-educator-chris-cardenas-honored-at-texas-teacher-of-the-year-celebration) — 830 Times (Del Rio) · Oct 20, 2026
- [State and court races on Uvalde County ballot](https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/state-and-court-races-on-uvalde-county-ballot) — Uvalde Leader-News · Oct 20, 2026
- [Crossing the line: How Trump’s border crackdown could backfire](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAJBVV95cUxQbHY2dlN4OE94UWNtTXpmWnp0UHNYYmhUMWk1MnBsSXBiNkZ0cVpsSjVsczVONi1fdWlZZlc1TXkwdF91eWR3WWhMMkpRRWRzT2VBVmdDVkl2c2kxUk5FZnhKc2FieVF2Vy1vbGRFUnBUVTdXcjVvcUZQRUJrQWpYUW0wR3diUnh6Y1pHLXdFVTVDMHJsM1NPNGlGbUp2V3VOVXBEZHdCVTMxbGVTWHFZUnNoMlhjQThMZ3o2NmMwekJ5WVZpcXR5VHVqMjB4dW9mOWhiN0dhQVFxZ0VjTDI1NnBWQndPc1RHY0wwRndUdVJPdHdNME1tVXA2NnlMdE1RTGhIaXhyUnVQbk1vaEEzbHlRQ09reG02OVhSeXVxbG9HVjVXN2tPUVFISXctanJD?oc=5) — Townsville Bulletin · via Google News · Oct 20, 2026
- [NEWS — Traffic stop leads to arrest for DWI—third or more offense and resisting arrest](https://830times.com/news-traffic-stop-leads-to-arrest-for-dwi-third-or-more-offense-and-resisting-arrest) — 830 Times (Del Rio) · Oct 20, 2026
- [Man out on bond lands back in jail after alleged drunk police chase in Horizon City](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxNVEQ3eHRCdUdHX1FTTGdyUnVhYzVmdHRfLTFqU3RGY1hFUkN4dTllbVc4cDVGWWtENkd6M3J2V3JSZFV5VDZoVHdaNWlxaEhtQjd1eUQ4a1RnejVYOS14TDh0SHVDczE4d0dRMVI4dDlxNVJkMm8xU1BjWTI0LUpPaGh1YmswNUhzckI2dWJlaThWWjBOYnBSb2MxWG5SeFNtMG1Ja0FPWC1Tamhad195LTUzOA?oc=5) — KFOX · via Google News · Oct 20, 2026
- [Man arrested for DWI, evading police in Horizon City](https://www.ktsm.com/news/man-arrested-for-dwi-evading-police-in-horizon-city) — KTSM 9 El Paso · Oct 20, 2026
- [Teen faces charges after DWI in ATV in Horizon](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigAFBVV95cUxPZ3RrZGVFTlZTR1VEN2tMR19sZHJ3WGtmSUw2ek5UeVI5eS12UTV2ZVRFY2ZvdmNCN3VoNzAxdndyUWdkNXllc0x6Sjg5UlphUklPR0xWRmxaMEljaUs5anUtMERXVHRYdnhkVjFtT0VZTWRieVk5c1hya1JxUTFfM9IBhgFBVV95cUxPTmhURVNTbzFnXzB5Q25yVXdmMHJJTm5objNTNm0tWnh1b0RmWjB3NzhLUjZ5SjQ2Yml1QWFBT2JtQUs3MEZZbEljazJydUtXTzVCd1BpbEpKY2ZOQ0tnbF9fT1BBUzd2bnRIR3RTYzd5YWY4UGFKaER1eWdYLWg5cnl1M2hLZw?oc=5) — KTSM 9 News · via Google News · Oct 20, 2026
- [17-year-old arrested on DWI charge after Horizon City ATV stop](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxPbnlvcHN3WkNjN05SNHVzejk1ZjNzbWhSY1FZcVVhTGRTendoMzU0d0lNRWVxY015MUsxY0todnRkeHB0QjZtMFJXRjdJWDU2N3ltTTVRX19KQmJIeF9QakhpSFBIWmNGZDZEOEx6YVJNTUhCal9kbXBLQXEwclROdnNHMEV3Tm5mMjRWY0ptMU5jYkxCUlRF?oc=5) — KFOX · via Google News · Oct 20, 2026
- [NEWS — Council wrestles over conflict-of-interest questions on Buena Vista Pool project](https://830times.com/news-council-wrestles-over-conflict-of-interest-questions-on-buena-vista-pool-project) — 830 Times (Del Rio) · Oct 20, 2026
- [Uvalde teen accused of murder in Hondo shooting](https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/uvalde-teen-charged-with-murder-in-hondo-shooting) — Uvalde Leader-News · Oct 20, 2026
- [No injuries after a shot was fired inside H-E-B in Uvalde, police say](https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/10/20/no-injuries-after-shots-fired-inside-h-e-b-in-uvalde-police-say) — KSAT 12 San Antonio · Oct 19, 2026
- [Officials: Weapon fired inside Uvalde H-E-B stemmed from family dispute](https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/uvalde-heb-evacuated-weapon-fired-discharged-texas/273-f903968f-6011-40cd-9d8d-dcbf3d4b9bad) — WFAA Dallas · Oct 19, 2026
- [NEWS — Early voting opens with nearly 1,300 ballots cast](https://830times.com/news-early-voting-opens-with-nearly-1300-ballots-cast) — 830 Times (Del Rio) · Oct 19, 2026
- [Uvalde PD says H-E-B gunshot involved father and son](https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/uvalde-pd-says-h-e-b-gunshot-involved-father-and-son) — Uvalde Leader-News · Oct 19, 2026
- [Officials: Uvalde H-E-B evacuated after weapon fired inside store; no injuries reported](https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/uvalde-heb-evacuated-weapon-fired-discharged-texas/273-f903968f-6011-40cd-9d8d-dcbf3d4b9bad) — KENS5 San Antonio · Oct 19, 2026
- [NEWS — PD teams up with DPS, ICE, take 7 into custody](https://830times.com/news-pd-teams-up-with-dps-ice-take-7-into-custody) — 830 Times (Del Rio) · Oct 19, 2026