’Very thoughtful guy’: Mike Johnson goes out of his way to defend GOP house candidate accused of embracing nazi ideology

On CNN’s State of the Union, House Speaker Mike Johnson stood by Brandon Herrera, a Republican running for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. After host Jake Tapper played a clip of Herrera’s earlier remarks, Johnson still described him as a “serious candidate” and a “very thoughtful guy.”

Johnson first said the Democratic Party was being taken over by an “insurgent Marxist socialist left.” Tapper then asked the speaker to address the more extreme elements of the Republican party, including Herrera, who has a well-documented record of offensive commentary. And to make his point, Tapper played a clip of Herrera.

Tapper told viewers the upcoming clip was “pretty gross.” The 2023 video showed Herrera saying, “Just because you let somebody cream-pie you doesn’t mean I have to give a s–t about your political opinions. The fact that you kept your c–m trophy doesn’t make you any less wrong about the dumb s–t that you say.”

Johnson calls Herrera’s past comments detestable while backing his campaign

Tapper also pointed to other videos. One showed Herrera testing a Nazi-era submachine gun he called the “original ghetto blaster.” Another showed him goose-stepping to a Nazi marching song. Tapper further cited Herrera joking, “We should abolish old people.”

Tapper noted that Johnson does not vote in that district and did not nominate Herrera. He said he was surprised Johnson had endorsed him and raised money for him. The controversy highlights the scrutiny Republican candidates face over extreme allegations, such as when a Missouri candidate was accused of trying to plant cocaine on his opponent. Tapper asked what Herrera’s candidacy said about more extreme Republican candidates.

Johnson said he objected to Herrera’s “detestable language.” He then defended both the candidate and the race. “He was a podcaster and a provocateur and tried to get attention,” Johnson said, adding that Herrera has since apologized for his social media presence.

“That’s not the way I speak or think, and that’s not the way most do. But that was his persona online, right?” Johnson said. “Right now, he’s running as a very serious candidate for Congress and a very thoughtful guy.”

Johnson said he spoke with Herrera last week at the GOP’s MAGA-centric midterm convention. He recalled telling him, “Brandon, when you get to Congress,” and that he will be there, “you’re going to join this team and help us to save America to preserve freedom and bring down costs for the American people.”

Johnson said Herrera is “laser-focused on doing that” and “is far superior to the candidate he is running against down in that district in South Texas.” Other GOP candidates have also faced scrutiny over their backgrounds, such as when Te Brown denied being the same person indicted for fraud in Illinois. Herrera has been campaigning in the district and appeared at a Feb. 26 rally.