Brandon Herrera is the Republican nominee for Congress in Texas’ 23rd congressional district and has come under fire in recent weeks due to a variety of prior controversies. Herrera has been endorsed by Donald Trump but is currently facing a tough campaign against Democrat Katy Padilla Stout who is polling within the margin of error.
In this video, recorded back in 2014, Herrera is seen promoting the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a group dedicated to whitewashing the real history of the Civil War. The group claims that the United States was the aggressor against the Confederacy and they also downplay the role that chattel slavery played in the war.
Throughout the duration of the footage, Herrera peddles talking points often used by Lost Causers. He called the Civil War a “war of northern aggression,” which contradicts recorded history. He also goes on to explain the purpose of the organization, which he said is open to “male descendants” of the Confederate terrorists.
The SCV, or the Sons of Confederate Veterans, is an historical honor society, dedicated to preserving Confederate heritage and learning more about our ancestors who fought and died in the War of Northern aggression. —Brandon Herrera
The group doesn’t just try to rewrite history, but they also maintain a burning hatred for the United States. At one point in the video, Herrera explains how this group shoots at targets of American soldiers. “Once a year we actually have what we call our annual Yankee shoot,” Herrera said in the video. “We go out back with black powder rifles … and we go out and we shoot up posters of our favorite Yankees.”
This latest controversy follows another unearthed video of Herrera, where he is showing off his copy of Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler’s personal manifesto that has been slammed by critics as the schizophrenic ravings of a meth-addicted man.
Herrera appears to have a tough fight on his hands and it will be interesting to see what other controversies arise before election day. Democrats see this as a prime opportunity to flip another red seat, but it remains to be seen how much they will invest in this race.
