Federal Offices on Your Ballot — Texas 2026
Bexar County · November 3, 2026
Federal offices on your ballot
These are your seats in Washington, D.C. Every Bexar County voter picks a U.S. Senator (a statewide race), plus one U.S. Representative — the one for the district where you live. Find your district below.
New to some of these names? Get to know the parties first:
How to read each race
Every race below is explained the same five ways. Each has its own color and icon, repeated on every contest, so once you learn them you can skim fast.
The Office
What the job actually is.
The Process
The term, the pay, how it’s elected.
Why It Matters
How it touches your life.
Common Mix-up
What this office does not decide.
Who’s Running
Every candidate, alphabetical, with their current role.
U.S. Senator
On every ballot
Open seat. Texas’s current senator, John Cornyn, lost his party’s primary this year, so he is not on the November ballot. Whoever wins is new to the seat.
The Office
A U.S. Senator is one of 100 members of the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C. Senators write and pass federal laws, and they approve the national budget.
The Senate alone does two more things: it can confirm or reject the president’s picks for federal judges and top officials, and it can approve treaties with other countries.
The Process
Every state gets two U.S. Senators, so Texas has two. They serve six-year terms, staggered so only about a third of the Senate is up in any election — which is why only one of Texas’s seats is on the ballot this year.
2senators per state
6 yearslength of a term
$174,000annual salary
How this differs from the U.S. House: a Senator represents the whole state; a House member represents just one district. Senators serve six years, House members two.
Why It Matters
The Senate shapes health care, immigration, disaster relief, and who sits on the federal courts for decades. It alone confirms judges and top officials and approves treaties — power one senator can hold for six years.
Common Mix-up
A U.S. Senator works on national law in Washington — not Texas state law. It’s easy to mix up because Texas also has “state senators.”
Same word, different jobs. Your U.S. Senator votes on national immigration law and confirms a U.S. Supreme Court justice. A Texas State Senator — a separate office — votes on things like how Texas funds its schools.
Who’s Running
Ted Brown
Libertarian
Current: retired insurance adjuster; longtime Libertarian Party activist
More about Ted Brown
Record
No prior public voting record (has not held elected office).
In his own words (from tedbrown.org)
- “Repeal the income tax, abolish the IRS, and replace them with nothing.”
- “End the War on Drugs.”
Ken Paxton
Republican
Current: Texas Attorney General (since 2015)
More about Ken Paxton
Record
Texas Attorney General since 2015; earlier served a decade in the Texas Legislature (2003–2015).
In his own words (from kenpaxton.com)
- Champion President Trump’s priorities, “including cutting taxes, securing the border and deporting illegal aliens.”
- “Fight to cut taxes and stop the wasteful spending.”
James Talarico
Democratic
Current: Texas State Representative, District 50 (Austin, since 2019)
More about James Talarico
Record
Texas State Representative since 2019, with a record centered on public education.
In his own words (from jamestalarico.com)
- Take “his fight against corruption to Washington and win power back for working people.”
- “I’ll ban super PACs and corporate PACs to get billionaires out of our political system.”
- “Every Texas child deserves a chance at success through well-funded neighborhood public schools.”
U.S. Representative, District 20
District 20 voters only
The Office
A U.S. Representative is one of 435 members of the U.S. House in Washington, D.C. Each represents a single district — a slice of Texas — writes federal laws, and controls federal spending (money bills start in the House).
The Process
Elected by the voters of one district to a two-year term. All 435 House seats are up every election. Bexar County is split among several districts, so you vote in just one.
2 yearslength of a term
435members in the House
1 districtyou vote in
Why It Matters
Your representative is your direct voice in Congress for your part of San Antonio — voting on federal money, health care, immigration, and Social Security, and helping residents cut through federal red tape.
Common Mix-up
A U.S. Representative works on national law and represents only your district — not the whole state (that’s a Senator), and not the Texas Legislature (a “state representative” is a different, Austin job).
Rep vs. Senator. Your U.S. Representative fights for your neighborhood’s share of federal projects; a U.S. Senator represents all 30 million Texans.
Who’s Running
Edgardo Rafael Baez
Republican
Current: attorney; U.S. Army veteran and former critical-care nurse
More about Edgardo Rafael Baez
Record
No prior elected office.
In his own words (from drbaezforcongress.com)
- “We are committed to defending constitutional rights, stimulating the local economy, and rejecting destructive socialist ideologies.”
Joaquin Castro
Democratic
Current: U.S. Representative, District 20 (incumbent, since 2013)
More about Joaquin Castro
Record
U.S. Representative for District 20 since 2013; earlier served in the Texas House (2003–2013).
In his own words (from castroforcongress.com)
- “Stand with Joaquin and together we can build opportunity — not barriers — for all Americans.”
Anthony Tristan
Independent
Current: business owner, Tristan Financial Consulting LLC
More about Anthony Tristan
Record
No prior elected office.
In his own words
No campaign website was found, so no candidate quotes are listed. See his Ballotpedia profile above for background.
U.S. Representative, District 21
District 21 voters only
Open seat. The current representative, Chip Roy, is running for Texas Attorney General instead, so this district will have a new member of Congress.
The Office
A U.S. Representative is one of 435 members of the U.S. House in Washington, D.C. Each represents a single district, writes federal laws, and controls federal spending (money bills start in the House).
The Process
Elected by the voters of one district to a two-year term. All 435 House seats are up every election. Bexar County is split among several districts, so you vote in just one.
2 yearslength of a term
435members in the House
Openno incumbent running
Why It Matters
Your representative is your direct voice in Congress for your part of the area — voting on federal money, health care, immigration, and Social Security, and helping residents cut through federal red tape.
Common Mix-up
A U.S. Representative works on national law and represents only your district — not the whole state (that’s a Senator), and not the Texas Legislature (a “state representative” is a different, Austin job).
Rep vs. Senator. Your U.S. Representative fights for your area’s share of federal projects; a U.S. Senator represents all of Texas.
Who’s Running
Kristin Hook
Democratic
Current: scientist; former federal science and technology adviser
More about Kristin Hook
Record
No prior elected office.
In her own words (from drkristinhook.org)
- “Our political system is broken when dark money and corporate interests overshadow the voices of voters.”
Mark Teixeira
Republican
Current: businessman; former Major League Baseball player
More about Mark Teixeira
Record
No prior elected office.
In his own words (from teixeiraforcongress.com)
- “As a lifelong conservative who loves this country, I’m ready to fight for the principles that make Texas strong and America exceptional.”
U.S. Representative, District 23
District 23 voters only
Open seat. The former representative, Tony Gonzales, left office in 2026, so this district will have a new member of Congress.
The Office
A U.S. Representative is one of 435 members of the U.S. House in Washington, D.C. Each represents a single district, writes federal laws, and controls federal spending (money bills start in the House). District 23 is huge, stretching from San Antonio to the border and West Texas.
The Process
Elected by the voters of one district to a two-year term. All 435 House seats are up every election. Bexar County is split among several districts, so you vote in just one.
2 yearslength of a term
435members in the House
Openno incumbent running
Why It Matters
District 23 is one of the most competitive in the country, so its representative can help tip the balance of the whole U.S. House — while voting on federal money, health care, immigration, and border policy that hits this region directly.
Common Mix-up
A U.S. Representative works on national law and represents only your district — not the whole state (that’s a Senator), and not the Texas Legislature (a “state representative” is a different, Austin job).
Rep vs. Senator. Your U.S. Representative fights for your area’s share of federal projects; a U.S. Senator represents all of Texas.
Who’s Running
Brandon Herrera
Republican
Current: firearms manufacturer and online content creator
More about Brandon Herrera
Record
No prior elected office; ran for this seat in 2024.
In his own words (from brandonherreraforcongress.com)
- “Fighting for national concealed carry reciprocity — not just to protect, but to enhance your gun rights.”
- Wants “practical steps to improve safety and order in TX-23” by securing the southern border.
- “One of the keys to individual liberty is limiting federal power as much as possible, and returning that power to the states.”
Ben Mendoza
Independent
Current: professional mediator
More about Ben Mendoza
Record
No prior elected office; previously ran for El Paso city council and mayor. No campaign website was found, so no candidate quotes are listed.
Katy Padilla Stout
Democratic
Current: attorney; former public-school teacher
More about Katy Padilla Stout
Record
No prior elected office.
In her own words (from katyforcongress.com)
- Lists priorities including cost of living, health care, universal pre-K, and “universal background checks.”
U.S. Representative, District 35
District 35 voters only
Open seat. The district lines were redrawn in 2025 and the former representative is running elsewhere, so this district will have a new member of Congress.
The Office
A U.S. Representative is one of 435 members of the U.S. House in Washington, D.C. Each represents a single district, writes federal laws, and controls federal spending (money bills start in the House).
The Process
Elected by the voters of one district to a two-year term. All 435 House seats are up every election. Bexar County is split among several districts, so you vote in just one.
2 yearslength of a term
435members in the House
Openno incumbent running
Why It Matters
Your representative is your direct voice in Congress for your part of the area — voting on federal money, health care, immigration, and Social Security, and helping residents cut through federal red tape.
Common Mix-up
A U.S. Representative works on national law and represents only your district — not the whole state (that’s a Senator), and not the Texas Legislature (a “state representative” is a different, Austin job).
Rep vs. Senator. Your U.S. Representative fights for your area’s share of federal projects; a U.S. Senator represents all of Texas.
Who’s Running
Carlos De La Cruz
Republican
Current: small-business owner; retired U.S. Air Force veteran
More about Carlos De La Cruz
Record
No prior elected office.
In his own words (from carlosforcongress.com)
- Wants to “bring that same leadership, integrity, and Texas common sense to fight corruption and hold Washington accountable.”
- Focused on “protecting our country, building a business, and fighting for working families.”
Johnny C. Garcia
Democratic
Current: Bexar County Sheriff’s deputy (nearly 20 years in law enforcement)
More about Johnny C. Garcia
Record
No prior elected office; nearly two decades in local law enforcement.
In his own words (from votejohnnygarcia.com)
- “Hard work should be rewarded, healthcare should be affordable, and safety should be everyone’s priority.”