Election Day: Who’s Running for Texas Government

By Erika Engh

Editor-in-Chief, Politics & Global News Editor

In the midterm elections, citizens will vote on congressional candidates for the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as state-only officials and propositions. While both congressional bodies are controlled by Republicans at the moment, many sources speculate that the 2026 midterms could cause a change due to reduced public approval of officials. Texas, a historically ‘red’ state, is projected to be a major influence in the Senate, as it has possibility to vote ‘blue’ and change the senat

Texas voters will determine more than national-scale representatives. Electing the governor, Texas Supreme Court justices, County and District clerks, Attorney General, and sector commissioners, as well as city-wide proposals, voters will have a profound impact.

Let’s discuss the candidates for the most influential bodies of the midterms:

The Senate

The Senate is one of two legislative bodies that makes up the US Government. It uses equal representation, with each state having two representatives.

James Talarico (D)

Democratic candidate James Talarico’s platform is targeted at:

Eliminating alleged political corruption, targeting election accessibility, congressional insider stock trading, and gerrymandering.
Creating tax cuts for the middle class
Reforming education by enhancing training for teachers and creating more flexible career paths for students
Making medical care more accessible and affordable
Protecting freedom of speech, privacy, and the free expression clauses.
Alleviating difficulties in immigration and introduce disciplinary action for ICE officials
Creating limits on AI and data centers
Creating programs to attack the root of crime and protect from gun violence
Raising wages and protect retirement benefits
Improving rural healthcare and agricultural programs
Supporting veterans and defend international human rights

Ted Brown (L)

Ted Brown is the candidate from the Libertarian Party running for US Senate.

Removing the federal income tax and abolishing the IRS
Restoring free international commerce and removing tariffs
Instituting congressional approval for executive orders
Repealing laws on gun control
Eliminating the department of education and separating school and state
Ending qualified immunity in police officers
Ending militarization of police
Promoting accessibility in healthcare and making it a private sector industry
Maintaining personal privacy and ensuring transparency in data collection, and eliminating government-mandated age restrictions
Ending ICE and aggressive immigration police systems and allowing for easier movement across the borders.
Investing in an non-interventionalist international policy and removing troops from foreign countries.