Katy Stout campaign spending is under renewed scrutiny after federal filings showed more than $4,300 in costs for cookies, alcohol and restaurant tabs earlier this year, drawing fresh attention following a contentious debate in San Antonio.
According to Federal Election Commission records and spending details circulated in August, Katy Padilla Stout, the Democratic nominee in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, reported five transactions totaling $4,338.14 in March and April.
The itemized expenditures included $675 for cookies listed as for a campaign event, $1,289.22 at Total Wine and $2,373.92 at Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana.
Katy Stout campaign spending includes cookies, beer and wine
Detailed entries show a $675 payment dated March 30 with the purpose noted as “COOKIES FOR EVENT.” Republican nominee Brandon Herrera’s campaign website highlights the cookie line item and alleges Stout used donor money for the treats, identifying the payee as Denise Gamboa via Zelle and labeling it a campaign event expense.
The filings also list two purchases at Total Wine for $1,089.08 on April 21 and $200.14 on April 22, each described as “BEER AND WINE.” Two payments tied to Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana were reported for $2,027.52 on April 27 and $346.40 on April 28.
In a statement, Stout said the disbursements were for campaign and fundraising events attended by supporters. She added that Texas-shaped sugar cookies are a local favorite and said her team bought from a neighborhood bakery to support a small business.
The filings document that the campaign reported the expenses. They do not determine whether any purchase was improper, for personal use or how many people attended the events.
Opposition highlights line items amid heated race
The spending has become a talking point for Herrera’s team, which operates an opposition site titled The Real Katy Stout. Under a “Cookie gate” section, the site features the $675 cookie purchase and the reported purpose.
The site also criticizes Stout’s policy positions on immigration, taxes and more.
The financial questions surfaced as the candidates vie to represent a sprawling border district. During a televised debate in San Antonio this week, Stout drew notice for remarks about Herrera’s online videos.
“He made millions of dollars after making jokes online, making fun of Nazis,” she said during an exchange. Herrera replied, “And here I thought making fun of Nazis was a good thing.”
After closing statements, Stout apologized and clarified that she misspoke. She later said her objection is to content she views as trivializing serious topics and promoting extremist imagery, pointing to videos she says feature goose-stepping and Nazi-era firearms.
She said mocking Nazis is acceptable but argued her opponent’s content gives a platform to such symbols. Stout cited criticism from the Republican Jewish Coalition describing Herrera as a “goose-stepping extremist,” and directed people to a website archiving his comments.
Stout, a former teacher and child welfare attorney, has centered her campaign on affordability and corruption. Herrera, a firearms manufacturer and online personality using “Let’s Go Brandon” as a slogan, is running on stricter border enforcement, lower taxes and Second Amendment protections.
The winner will succeed former Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, who resigned earlier this year after acknowledging an affair with a staffer. Texas’ 23rd District stretches from the San Antonio area toward El Paso and includes hundreds of miles along the U.S.-Mexico border, where issues like immigration enforcement and federal policy have become central in other races as well.
Early voting begins Oct. 19, and Election Day is Nov. 3. Herrera’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
