Border Sheriff Condemns US House Candidate for Insensitive Veteran Suicide Joke

SANDERSON, TX — A congressional candidate vying for the seat in Congressional District 23 faced condemnation from a border sheriff on Tuesday for his insensitive remarks regarding veteran suicide. Brandon Herrera, known for his online presence as an influencer and YouTube personality focusing on firearms and military history, drew criticism for his recent comments. Operating under the banner of his small firearms business, The AK Guy, headquartered in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Herrera has positioned himself as a prominent figure in the firearms community, as outlined on his website. He indicated a relocation to Texas, specifically the western side of San Antonio.

Herrera is currently campaigning for the Republican nomination in CD-23, aiming to unseat incumbent Congressman Tony Gonzales. This district spans from San Antonio to the outskirts of El Paso along the Texas-Mexico border, encompassing areas like Uvalde, Eagle Pass, and Del Rio, which have been focal points of Governor Greg Abbott’s disputes with federal authorities over illegal immigration.

In a recent appearance on a YouTube channel, Herrera made a controversial remark during a casual conversation, stating, “If it makes anyone feel better, I think about often putting a gun in my mouth, so basically I’m an honorary veteran.”

Prefacing his comment by acknowledging his lack of military service but citing his upbringing in a military town and being the son of two veterans, Herrera attempted to contextualize his humor within military culture, suggesting it might not align with mainstream sensibilities.

However, Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland, known for his commentary on border security matters, strongly condemned Herrera's joke, emphasizing the seriousness of veteran suicide and the profound impact it has on military communities.

"I’m appalled at the 'joke' made by Brandon Herrera regarding veteran suicide," Sheriff Cleveland expressed on Facebook. "As a Veteran myself, with a son currently serving in the Middle East, and having worked alongside many Veterans during my career in the U.S. Border Patrol, I understand the gravity of this issue. Veteran suicide is a real crisis, with an average of 17 Veterans tragically taking their own lives each day."

Herrera, whose congressional campaign revolves partly around his opposition to certain legislative measures, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, has attracted support from those critical of Congressman Gonzales' positions on gun control. Gonzales had collaborated with Senator John Cornyn to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in response to the Uvalde school massacre in 2022, a move that Herrera and others oppose.

Facing competition from Gonzales and other challengers, Herrera has managed to amass significant campaign funds, raising $812,208 as of December 31, 2023, with the largest cash reserve among Gonzales' opponents. Gonzales has a warchest of nearly $2 million cash on hand at the beginning of the year.

While Herrera portrays himself as an outsider challenging the political establishment, Sheriff Cleveland urged voters to carefully consider their choices.

"If you are thinking about voting for Brandon Herrera, watch this video and decide if you want him representing you," the sheriff cautioned, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful decision-making in the electoral process.