State House Candidates
Note to the Voter: Remember that you are the HR person choosing who is best qualified to be a Texas State House Representative. Check out their educational background, their work history, and Community Service. If they are an Incumbents (IN) who Candidates up for re-election what I their voting record. Make sure it matches up with your core beliefs and what they are saying from the campaign trail they support. Which candidate is best qualified over all and lines up best with your beliefs? That is who you should vote for.
About the office:
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Texas State Legislature. Alongside the Texas State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Texas state government and works alongside the governor of Texas to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Texas House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes. Members serve two year terms and are not subject to term limits. They assume office at the beginning of the legislative session in January. Look up Incumbents who are current members to see their bills they wrote or cowrote plus their voting record and more by going to: https://house.texas.gov/members/. It is very telling how the voted. See if it lines up with their campaign promises and your personal beliefs.
Qualifications
To be eligible to seek office a candidate must be:
A U.S. citizen
21 years old before the general election
A two-year resident of Texas before the general election
A district resident for 1 year prior to the general election
Salaries
$7,200/year $221/day. Set by the ethics commission.
Pension
The highest a legislature can earn for retirement is $125,000, with an average of $17,526 annually.
Sources: Ballotpedia https://ballotpedia.org/; Texas_House_of_Representatives, https://house.texas.gov/about-us/
Texas House of Representatives elected Members by District
Unofficial Results 2022 General Election
65
83
2
Vacant
District 1
Counties: Bowie (100%), Cass (100%), Lama (100%), Morris (100%), and Red River (100%)
District 2
Counties: Hopkins (100%), Hunt (100%), and Van Zandt ((100%)
District 3
Counties: Montgomery (27%), and Waller (100%)
District 4
Counties: Henderson(84%), and Kaufman (100%)
District 5
Counties: Camp (100%), Morris (100%), Rains(100%), Smith (24%), Titus (100%), Upshur (100%), and Wood (100%)
District 6
Counties: Smith (76%)
District 7
Counties: Gregg (100%), and Upshur (100%)
District 8
Counties: Anderson (100%), Freestone (100%), Hill (100%), and Navarro (100%)
District 9
Counties: Cass (100%), Harrison (100%), Marion (100%), Panola (100%), and Sabine (100%)
District 10
Counties: Ellis (100%), and Henderson (16%)
District 11
Counties: Cherokee (100%), Nacogdoches (100%), and Rusk (100%)
District 12
Counties: Brazos (16%), Falls (100%), Limestone (100%), McLennan (29%), and Robertson (100%)
District 13
Counties: Austin (100%), Burleson (100%), Colorado (100%), Fayette (100%), Grimes (100%), Lavaca (100%), and Washington (100%),
District 14
Counties: Brazos (84%)
District 15
Counties: Montgomery (37%)
District 16
Counties: Montgomery (36%)
District 17
Counties: Bastrop(100%), Caldwell (100%), Gonzales (100%), Karnes (100%), and Lee (100%)
District 18
Counties: Liberty (100%), San Jacinto (100%), and Walker (100%)
District 19
Counties: Hardin (100%), Jasper (100%),Newton (100%), Polk (100%), Tyler (100%)
District 20
Counties: Burnet (100%), Milam (100%), and Williamson (100%)
District 21
Counties: Jefferson (93%), Orange (100%)
District 22 Counties: Jefferson (61%)
Christian "Manuel" Hays
Government Chief of Staff, Manuel started working in politics under State Representative Joe Deshotel in 2004 as a case worker. Manuel quickly moved up to a District Director and Assistant Committee Clerk. Finally, he has been Deshotels Chief of Staff for the last 10 years.
District 23
Counties: Chambers (100%), and Galveston (43%)
District 24
Counties: Galveston (57%)
District 25
Counties: Brazoria (39%), and Matagorda (100%)
District 26
Counties: Fort Bend (23%)
District 27 Counties: Fort Bend (24%)
Rep.Ron Reynolds (IN)
Texas Southern U BS in Public Affairs Magna Cum Laude, JD for Texas Tech U School of Law. First African American Elected State Rep in Fort Bend County since Reconstruction. Ron is currently serving his sixth term in the Texas House. Reynolds was named 2021 87th Session Legislator of the Year by both Fort Bend United and The Young & the Politics. He was voted by his House colleagues as “Freshman Legislator of the Year” and “Public Servant of the Year” by the Houston Minority Contractors Association. He served as the House Minority Whip during the 83rd & 84th Legislative sessions. Reynolds is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and 100 Black Men of America. Currently, Reynolds is the Chair, Texas Progressive Caucus, Vice Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and Vice Chair of the House Caucus on Climate, Environment, and the Energy Industry. He also serves as the Legislative Leader for the Texas State NAACP and the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats. Reynolds serves as the ranking member on the House Committee on Environmental Regulation, and serves on the powerful Energy Resources Committee. Prior to being elected State Representative Reynolds was an Associate Municipal Judge for the City of Houston, Past President of the Houston Lawyers Association and Past President of the Missouri City & Vicinity NAACP. He is a recipient of the “Honorary Doctorate of Divinity”.
District 28
Counties: Fort Bend (36%)
District 29
Counties: Brazoria (61%)
District 30
Counties: Aransas (100%), Calhoun (100%), De Witt (100%), Goliad (100%), Refugio (100%), and Victoria (100%),
District 31
Counties: Atascoca (100%), Brooks (100%), Duval (100%), Jim Hogg (100%), Kenedy (100%), La Salle, (100%), Live Oak (100%), McMullen (100%), Starr (100%), and Willacy (100%),
District 32
Counties: Nueces (52%)
District 33
Counties: Collin (15%) and Rockwell (100%)
District 34 Counties: Nueces (48%)
Rep. Abel Herrero (IN)
Now serving his seventh term proudly representing the people of District 34. Currently serves on the Windstorm Insurance Legislative Oversight Board. Rep. Herrero served as a City Council member from 1999-2003 for Robstown, Texas. Owns his own law practice in Corpus Christi, Texas. Valedictorian, Robstown High School, 1988, B.A. in Political Science, Texas A&M, 1993, Law Degree, University of Texas, 1997, State Representative, (2005-2011, 2013-Present), Robstown City Council, (1999-2003), Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Board,Coastal Bend Council of Governments, Nueces County Parks Board, Nueces County Civil Service Board, Robstown Improvement Development Corporation.
District 35 Counties: Cameron (17%), and Hidalgo (13%)
Rep.Oscar Longoria (IN)
5th term in office. Prior he served on the Agua Special Utility District as a Board Member, and as a Trustee for South Texas College. Professionally, he owns and operates the Law Office of Oscar Longoria. 2017 Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award. 2018 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award by The University of Texas at Austin School of Law. The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award honors a graduate, 40 years old or younger, who has made significant achievements in his or her career and service to the university. He is a proud Life Member of the Texas Exes Association.
District 36 Counties: Hildalgo (21%)
Rep.Sergio Munoz Jr. (IN)
Served since March 2010. The district includes parts or all of the cities of Hidalgo, Granjeno, McAllen, Mission, Palmview, and Pharr in Hidalgo County. Since his election, Sergio has received countless accolades, such as, recognition for his continual support and leadership from the Advocates for Patient Access, the Boys and Girls Club Texas Alliance, Alliance of Independent Pharmacists, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection RGV Sector. The awards highlight his commitment to our community and the diligent attention he gives to District 36. Sergio has served as Vice-Chairman of the Insurance Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Land and Resource Management Committee. He also served as a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee from the 83rd Legislative Session through the 86th Legislative Session. Currently, Sergio is a member of the Higher Education Committee and the Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services. He attended Mission High School and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Business Administration. Afterwards, Sergio earned his law degree with honors at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law and graduated magna cum laude. He relentlessly aims to strengthen the region by supporting legislation and initiatives that improve education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic development, and public safety; including the restoration of critical funding to public schools and the Medicaid program. Sergio believes that collaboration and communication are the most effective means of achieving the necessary results that South Texas deserves and strives to build community bridges to promote partnership among South Texas leaders.
Source: https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=36
District 37
Counties: Cameron (38%)
District 38 Counties: Cameron (44%)
Erin Elizabeth Gamez Attorney
Education:
South Texas College of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence, Cum Laude; The University of Texas at Austin, Bachelors of Arts in Government and Minor in Spanish, Cum Laude; St. Joseph Academy - Top 10%
Experience:
Cameron County Mental Health Diversion Court, Defense Attorney; Law offices of Ernesto Gamez, Jr. - Justice For All Building, Attorney at Law, General Litigation - Civil and Criminal Law; State Bar of Texas - Continuing Legal Education; A South Texas Litigation Course, Lecturer on Civil Forfeiture
-82nd Legislative Session - Arnold Public Affairs, Legislative Aide (2011); 80th Legislative Session - Texas House of Representatives, Legislative Aide (2007)
Memberships:
U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts of Southern District of Texas; State Bar of Texas; Cameron County Bar Association; Cameron County Women’s Law Section; National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, DuBois-Hite Chapter; Good Shepard Community Church;
-Brownsville Community Health Center, Board Member
District 39 Counties: Hidalgo (20%)
Rep.Armando Martinez (IN) Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg in 1998. Martinez is a licensed paramedic and firefighter with the City of Weslaco Fire Department EMS. His professional experience includes working as a critical care flight paramedic for Valley Aircare.
District 40 Counties: Hildago (24%)
Rep.Terry Canales (IN)
Chairman Canales completed his Bachelor's Degree at the University of The Incarnate Word and his law degree at St. Mary's School of Law. Upon passage of the Texas State Bar Exam, Rep. Canales opened his own law practice in Edinburg, Texas. He has served as the Rep for District 40 since 2012. First Latino to be appointed to Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. In his time in the legislature, Chairman Canales has focused on transparency and open government, passing several pieces of legislation to ensure the public's right to know how their hard-earned tax dollars are spent as well as the right to have their voice heard at local governmental meetings. Canales has a long history of fighting for our public schools, our current and retired teachers, and ensuring that our students are given an equal opportunity to succeed. Representative Canales has also been a leader on criminal justice reform, filing and passing legislation aimed at eliminating our modern-day debtor's prison system and fighting to ensure our state resources are being utilized efficiently.
District 41 Counties: Hidalgo (22%)
Rep.Robert Guerra (IN)
Rep. Guerra has been a State Rep since 2012. Bachelor's Pan American University, Law Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law.Bobby Guerra comes from old South Texas ranching families who helped settle the Valley in the 1700’s. R. D. “Bobby” Guerra was born in Edinburg, Texas in 1953. The Guerra family, both paternal and maternal, has been South Texas ranchers since the 1700’s. He graduated from Pan American University in 1977 with a B.S. degree and a double major in Biology and Chemistry. For several years, Bobby was a television reporter and news anchor at the ABC affiliate KRGV-TV Channel 5 prior to attending law school. In 1985 he graduated with cum laude honors from Texas Southern University Law School in Houston. He was admitted to the bar in 1985 and is licensed to practice in Texas and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Texas. Bobby has been practicing law for nearly 35 years; He was selected as a Texas Super Lawyer in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. In 2012, Bobby became the managing partner of Guerra, Leeds, Sabo & Hernandez, P.L.L.C. As a founding member of the firm, Bobby has helped local city governments protect taxpayers, and represented a variety of businesses. In addition, he has practiced in all of the federal and state courts in the Rio Grande Valley and parts of South Texas. In March 2000, Bobby was elected Chairman of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party where he served two terms. He has also served on the board of directors of the University of Texas-Pan American Alumni Association, and was elected president of the board in 2003. In addition to his active service on the Easter Seal’s Board of Directors, Bobby served as president in 2013-2014. Continuing his dedication to public service, Bobby is proud to serve as State Representative for House District 41, advocating for the people and the community of his home. Representative Guerra proudly represents the cities of McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Palmhurst, Palmview, Alton and Pharr. Elected in 2012, Representative Guerra is serving his fourth term in the Texas House of Representatives. He currently serves as a senior member on the House Committees on Local & Consent Calendars, Ways & Means, and Vice Chair in Public Health.
District 42 Counties: Webb (62%)
Rep. Richard Raymond (IN)
Businessman and Consultant Attorney UT Law He got involved in politics as a very young man fighting political corruption in his home county of Duval. B.A. from the UTA, majoring in Government and minoring in History. J.D. from the UT School of Law. Before being elected to the Texas Legislature, he worked for United States Senators Lloyd Bentsen from Texas and Paul Simon from Illinois. He also worked for Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro and Texas Railroad Commissioner Bob Krueger. In 1992, Mr. Raymond first ran for and was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, where he would represent a rural South Texas District that included the counties of Duval, Jim Wells, Live Oak, Wilson, Atascosa, McMullen and La Salle. After serving in the Texas House for 6 years, he then ran for Texas Land Commissioner. Although he received nearly 1.5 million votes as the Democratic Party nominee, he lost to Republican David Dewhurst. Two years later, in January 2001, Mr. Raymond was once again elected to the Texas House of Representatives, this time by the voters of Laredo, Texas, and has served in the House since. He now serves as Chairman of the Defense & Veterans' Affairs Committee while also serving on the State Affairs Committee. Rep. Raymond has authored and passed many bills during his career regarding job creation, higher education, transportation, health care and public safety. He also passed bills putting the words "In God We Trust" in the Texas House of Representatives Chamber and on Texas License plates.
District 43
Counties: Bee (100%), Jim Wells (100%), Kleberg(100%), and San Patricio (100%)
District 44
Counties: Guadalupe (100%), and Wilson (100%)
District 45 Counties: Blanco (100%), and Hays (100%)
Rep.Erin Zwiener (IN)
BS, Natural Resource Conservation, University of Montana MFA, Creative Nonfiction, University of Arizona, author, educator, and conservationist. We need folks in the Capitol who are creative, curious, and down-to-earth. It’s time to put aside divisive rhetoric and move forward together on the issues that make a real difference in Texans’ lives. Let’s put the all back in y’al. Rep. Zwiener serves on the House Committees on Public Health, House Administration, and Appropriations, where she is the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Article III (Education). She is amember of the House Democratic Caucus, LGBTQ Caucus, Criminal Justice Reform Caucus, Women’sHealth Caucus, and IT Caucus. In January of 2021, Rep. Zwiener established the Caucus on Climate, Environment, and the Energy Industry and currently serves as its Chair.
District 46 Counties: Travis (16%)
Rep.Sheryl Cole (IN)
Bachelor of Arts in accounting and a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas. Her career experience includes working as an attorney at the law firm of Wright & Greenhill from 1991 to 1995 and as staff counsel at the Texas Municipal League from 1995 to 2001.Former Austin City Council, Mayor Pre Tempore Sheryl Cole got her start in public life stepping up in her local PTA and organizing community support for our schools as one of the Tri-Chairs to the AISD Bond Committee in 2004. Continuing down the path of public service, she would go on to be elected to Austin City Council for three terms, ultimately serving as Austin's first African American Mayor Pro Tempore. And now, as of 2018, Sheryl Cole represents the communities of East Austin, Manor, and Pflugerville at the Texas Legislature.
District 47 Counties: Travis (19%)
Rep.Vikki Goodwin (IN)
University of Texas with a BBA—and the LBJ School of Public Affairs with a master’s degree, Real Estate broker, Systems Analyst for Office of the Attorney General of Texas. A long-time resident of Shady Hollow, Vikki has been very active in her community, serving on HOA Boards, civic club boards, ABOR committees, on an AISD task force and more. Her volunteer work gave her insight into the need for various services in the community and strengthened her determination to help those who slip through the cracks, so often as a result of medical issues, student loans, or low paying jobs. Through her professional and philanthropic endeavors, Vikki knows which issues matter most to the residents of District 47 and was inspired to become an advocate for her community.
District 48 Counties: Travis (15%)
Rep.Donna Howard (IN)
Critical care nurse at Brackenridge and Seton hospitals, was the first hospital-based Patient Education Coordinator in Austin, and helped start the Seton Good Health School. She has also served as president of the Texas Nurses’ Association (District 5) and as a Health Education instructor at UT. Howard is a co-founder of Advocates for Eanes Schools, and sits on the Board of the Expanding Horizons Foundation. She is a former board member of Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, Common Cause, and the Texas Freedom Network and formerly served as president of the Texas Nurses' Association, District 5.
District 49 Counties: Travis (15%)
Rep.Gina Hinojosa (IN)
Bachelor's, Government, UT; JD, Law, George Washington University; Former Special Assistant, Governor Ann Richards; Former Employee, Office of Immigrant Concerns, Catholic Charities; Former Employee, Office of Legal Counsel, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Attorney/Development Coordinator, Equal Justice Center, 2009-2011 Attorney, Texas Rural Legal Aid, 2010; Attorney, Kator, Parks, & Weiser Professional Limited Liability Company, 2000-2004. During her first session, Gina earned the title of Freshman Floor Fighter of Year from Capitol Inside, Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) Freshman of the Year Award, 2017 Legislative Champion from the Texas Women's Healthcare Coalition and Defender of Justice from the Texas Fair Defense Project as she stood up to ensure the voices of HD49 were vigorously represented. In 2019, during the 86th Legislative Session, Gina proudly passed legislation and budget riders focused on improving women's reproductive health care, maternal mortality data collection, special education oversight, disaster preparedness, and disaster relief services. Prior to becoming a Texas House member, Rep. Hinojosa was elected to an at-large position on the Austin ISD School Board in November 2012. Thereafter, she was elected Board President by her fellow trustees in January 2015. In the short time that Gina served on the School Board, she led successful efforts on workers’ rights, advocated and testified at the Legislature in support of increased funding for public education, partnered with the City to secure millions in additional funding for students, and secured the rights and safety of LGBTQ employees and students. Under her leadership, every AISD high school met state accountability standards for the first time, a major step forward in improving academic performance for all students.Gina is a native Texan and a proud product of public schools. She came to Austin to attend The University of Texas and graduated with Honors with a Plan II Government Bachelor of Arts degree. She received her law degree from George Washington Law School in 1999 and was licensed that same year. With the exception of her years in law school in Washington, D.C., she has called Austin home ever since.
District 50 Counties: Travis (18%)
Rep. James Talarico (IN) (Changing Districts due to Gerrymandering), Bachelors in Govt, Masters in Education Policy at Harvard, Public School Teacher. Rep. Talarico taught 6th grade at Rhodes Middle School on the Westside of San Antonio. He later became the Central Texas Executive Director of a nonprofit dedicated to equipping classrooms with innovative technology. He currently serves as the youngest member of the Texas Legislature, sitting on the Calendars Committee, the Public Education Committee, and the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee. In his first term, Rep. Talarico helped write historic school finance reform legislation that infused Texas schools with $11.6 billion in new education funding. Outside of his role as a legislator, Rep. Talarico is an education consultant, crafting and implementing education solutions across Texas.
District 51 Counties: Travis (16%)
Maria Luisa "Lulu" Flores Attorney Lulu Flores is a longtime champion of equality and social justice. She rose through the grassroots ranks to serve as President and CEO of the National Women’s Political Caucus, the longest serving institution committed to increasing women’s participation throughout the political process. Likewise, Lulu’s leadership can be seen at all levels, from being elected a National Delegate for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, to Chairing the Austin Arts Commission, to serving as Chief of Staff to the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas House. University of Texas, where she also graduated from law school. She began her career in the state legislature working for Rep. Irma Rangel, a pioneer who rose to serve as Chair of the Higher Education Committee. Lulu continued her career in public service working as Director of Legislative Programs for the State Bar of Texas, and Assistant Director for Alternative Fuels Policy and Legislation/Governmental Affairs at the Texas Railroad Commission, before joining her husband, Scott, as partner in their law firm, Hendler Flores Law, PLLC. Recognized for both her work as a lawyer and an agent for social change, Lulu was named “National Latina Lawyer of the Year” in 2010 by the Hispanic National Bar Association and was included in the City of Austin Women’s Hall of Fame for her leadership, advocacy, and mentoring. Most recently, she was named the 2020 Distinguished Lawyer of the Year by the Austin Bar Association. An active volunteer, Lulu continues to support a variety of causes, including serving as a member of the Advisory Committee of the University of Texas Center for Women and Gender Studies.