Katy Padilla Stout
D · U.S. House, TX-23 · Tier 2
Tier 2, “Mainstream pro-Israel”
Jewish Insider reported (March 19, 2026) that she “largely declined to weigh in on Israel or Middle East policy,” citing her lack of access to sensitive information members of Congress can see, and would wait until elected to more fully articulate her views; by the outlet’s account she said she doesn’t know enough about the conflict in Gaza to judge whether it is a genocide and would consider U.S. aid to Israel on a “case-by-case basis.” Of the different perspectives she had heard from a Jewish friend whose son serves in the IDF and from a Palestinian friend, she said: “That’s the most helpful thing we can always do in any kind of conflict situation, is to really kind of understand both sides, right, see where the dialogue breakdown is occurring.” A lawyer and educator, the TX-23 Democratic nominee against Brandon Herrera runs on a fair tax code, universal pre-K and paid parental leave; her endorsements page lists the Jewish Democratic Council of America alongside Reps. Joaquin Castro and Greg Casar.
A thin 2. Her only words on Israel come from a March 2026 Jewish Insider interview, the sole source, in which she largely declined to weigh in until elected. By the outlet’s account, she said she doesn’t know enough about the conflict in Gaza to judge whether it is a genocide and would consider U.S. aid to Israel on a “case-by-case basis.” In her own words, she stressed the need “to really kind of understand both sides,” and answered with a general line about standing for “happy, healthy families, whether that be, you know, here or across the world.” That is a mainstream Democratic stance: no judgment on the genocide, no specific word for Gaza’s civilians, and no step on aid or weapons. Her campaign site, a January 2026 San Antonio Report interview and Lone Star Left’s August survey show no position on aid, arms or Gaza. On a thin record: one interview, mostly paraphrased. Counter-cases: a 2/3, since “case-by-case” leaves room for conditions and she never says she supports the aid; or unrated, since she put off stating her views.
Open the full card, with votes, money and every source, on elect26 →
elect26 places 2026 midterm candidates on a six-tier spectrum, from 1 (most pro-Israel) to 6 (most critical of Israel).