Election Day is next Tuesday, November 3, and Texans have some important decisions to make.
We’ve heard the campaign speeches, seen the ads, and watched the political arguments. But how much do we really know about the people asking for our votes? This week, instead of telling you what I think about the election, I want to introduce the candidates and explain the jobs they’re asking us to give them.
A party label tells us something about a candidate. It doesn’t tell us everything.
Here is a guide to the statewide races. It includes Republicans (R), Democrats (D), Libertarians (L), and Greens (G).
U.S. Senate
Texas elects one senator to a six-year term representing the state in Washington, D.C.
Ken Paxton (R): Texas attorney general since 2015 and former state legislator. Known for challenging federal policies in court and emphasizing immigration enforcement and conservative social policies.
James Talarico (D): State representative, former public school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian. Focuses on public education, healthcare affordability, and reducing political division.
Ted Brown (L): Libertarian candidate advocating smaller federal government, individual liberty, and reduced federal spending.
Governor
The governor signs or vetoes legislation, makes appointments, and sets legislative priorities.
Greg Abbott (R): Governor since 2015, previously attorney general and Supreme Court justice. Priorities include border security, school vouchers, tax relief, and economic development.
Gina Hinojosa (D): State representative, attorney, and former Austin school board president. Focuses on public education, affordability, healthcare and government accountability.
Pat Dixon (L): Former Libertarian Party of Texas chair advocating limited government, individual rights, and less government regulation.
Lieutenant Governor
The lieutenant governor presides over the Texas Senate and has considerable influence over legislation.
Dan Patrick (R): Incumbent since 2015, former senator and radio broadcaster. Priorities include property tax relief, conservative social policies, and education choice.
Vikki Goodwin (D): State representative with a background in real estate. Emphasizes public education, affordability, and healthcare.
Anthony Cristo (L): Libertarian candidate supporting limited government and individual freedoms.
Kevin McCormick (G): Green Party candidate offering an alternative to the two major parties.
Attorney General
Texas’ chief lawyer represents the state in legal disputes and enforces certain consumer protection laws.
Mayes Middleton (R): State senator, former representative and businessman. Emphasizes conservative constitutional positions and challenges to federal authority.
Nathan Johnson (D): State senator and attorney whose legislative work includes healthcare, insurance, and government policy.
Tom Oxford (L): Libertarian candidate advocating individual rights and limits on government power.
Comptroller
The comptroller collects state taxes, estimates revenue, and administers the school voucher program.
Don Huffines (R): Former state senator, businessman, and current comptroller. Advocates tax reduction and fiscal conservatism.
Sarah Eckhardt (D): State senator and former Travis County judge. Focuses on public finance, government services, and accountability.
V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza (L): Libertarian candidate seeking the state’s chief financial officer.
Shehla Faizi (G): Green Party candidate seeking to oversee state revenue and financial administration.
Land Commissioner
The General Land Office manages state lands, mineral interests, veterans’ programs, and disaster recovery responsibilities.
Dawn Buckingham (R): Incumbent commissioner, physician and former state senator.
Benjamin Flores (D): Democratic nominee challenging Buckingham for management of Texas public lands.
Neill Snider (L): Libertarian nominee seeking the land commissioner’s office.
Agriculture Commissioner
The department oversees agricultural programs, consumer protections, weights and measures, and school nutrition programs.
Nate Sheets (R): Businessman and agricultural entrepreneur campaigning on agriculture and agency leadership.
Clayton Tucker (D): Rancher and organizer emphasizing family farms, rural communities, and agricultural policy.
Austin R. Kelly (L): Libertarian candidate seeking to lead the Agriculture Department.
Railroad Commissioner
Despite its name, the railroad commission regulates oil, natural gas, pipelines, and certain mining activities—not railroads.
Bo French (R): Former Tarrant County Republican Party chair campaigning on energy development and conservative regulatory policies.
Jon Rosenthal (D): State representative and engineer with experience in the energy industry.
Arthur DiBianca (L): Libertarian candidate advocating a limited-government approach to regulation.
Texas Supreme Court
This court decides the state’s civil cases, not criminal appeals.
Chief Justice: Jimmy Blacklock (R), incumbent chief justice and former Abbott legal adviser; Maggie Ellis (D), attorney and former judicial candidate.
Place 2: James P. Sullivan (R), incumbent justice; Chari Kelly (D), attorney and former judicial candidate.
Place 7: Kyle Hawkins (R), incumbent justice and former solicitor general; Kristen Hawkins (D), district court judge.
Place 8: Brett Busby (R), incumbent justice and former appellate judge; Gisela D. Triana (D), former appellate justice.
Court of Criminal Appeals
Texas’ highest criminal court reviews criminal convictions and other criminal law questions.
Place 3: Thomas Smith (R), Okey Anyiam (D) and Mark Ash (L).
Place 4: Kevin Patrick Yeary (R), incumbent judge; Audra Riley (D).
Place 9: John Messinger (R) and Holly Taylor (D).
15th Court of Appeals
This statewide court handles certain cases involving the state government and business disputes.
Chief Justice: Scott Brister (R), incumbent and former Texas Supreme Court justice; Jerry Zimmerer (D), appellate judge.
Place 2: Scott K. Field (R), incumbent appellate judge; Tom Baker (D), former appellate judge.
Place 3: April Farris (R), incumbent appellate judge; Marc M. Meyer (D).
Before You Vote
Texas also has certified write-in candidates. Their names do not appear among the printed ballot choices. Check the Secretary of State’s official list for those candidates and their qualifications.
I’ve written before about following the jockey, not the horse. Political parties matter, but so do the people wearing their labels.
Before you vote, consider each candidate’s experience, record, and understanding of the job. And remember, these people are applying to work for us.
Early voting ends October 30. Election Day is November 3.
Our voices and our votes belong to us.
Suzanne Bellsnyder is editor and publisher of the Hansford County Reporter-Statesman and Sherman County Gazette. Subscribe at TexasRuralReporter.Substack.com