Texas HD-138
Texas
Senate: GOP Majority
12D
19R
House: GOP Majority
62D
88R
Texas is on the DLCC’s 2026 Target Map.
Texas is one of the most important power-building opportunities in the country — and one of the clearest examples of why state legislative elections matter.
Last summer, Texas Republicans launched the opening of a national effort to manipulate congressional maps and protect Republican power in Washington. Their mid-decade redistricting push became a blueprint for Republicans looking to lock in a U.S. House majority before the next census. At the same time, the Supreme Court’s decision in Callais weakened key protections under the Voting Rights Act, creating new opportunities for partisan map manipulation and making state legislative power more important than ever.
In 2026, Texas Democrats achieved full candidate recruitment for the Texas House for the first time in modern history, ensuring voters across the state will have a Democratic choice on the ballot. That momentum is already translating into results. Earlier this cycle, Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a Republican-held seat in the Fort Worth suburbs, delivering a major upset victory and demonstrating that voters are increasingly rejecting the Texas GOP’s extreme agenda.
As Republicans in Texas move further toward the extremes — highlighted by Ken Paxton’s growing influence within the party and his recent statewide primary victory — building Democratic strength in Texas is essential. Every seat Democrats gain improves our ability to push back against future power grabs, advocate for fair representation, and build the foundation for a more competitive Texas and a stronger Democratic Party nationwide.
Meet the DLCC’s Texas Target Races
The Most Competitive Races in Texas
The DLCC’s Target Races represent some of the most competitive and consequential state legislative contests in the country.
Using data, research, and direct partnerships with state legislative leaders, the DLCC identifies the races where investments can make the biggest difference in building Democratic power. These are the races that will help determine the future of the Texas Legislature and strengthen Democrats’ ability to compete statewide for years to come.
Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee Chair and Representative Christina Morales speaks to DLCC Target Races meeting the moment:
Support the candidates who are helping shape the future of Texas.
DLCC Target Races
Texas HD-121
Zack Dunn
Texas HD-133
Josh Wallenstein
Texas HD-112
Zach Herbert
Texas HD-108
Allison Mitchell
Texas HD-94
Katie O’Brien Duzan
Texas HD-67
Jordan Wheatley
Texas HD-61
Brittany Black
Texas HD-52
Chris Jimenez
Texas HD-41
Julio Salinas
Texas HD-37
Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa Jr.
Texas HD-34
Stephanie Guerrero Sáenz
Texas HD-74
Eddie Morales
Texas HD-70
Mihaela Plesa
Texas HD-118
Kristian Carranza
Texas SD-09
Taylor Rehmet
Redistricting Update
The DLCC Is Taking Action In Response to Texas Redistricting
In the wake of the Callais decision, Texas Republicans are calling on Gov. Abbott to call another session to seize even more power and push statehouse Democrats into the superminority so they cannot stage a walkout as they did in 2025 to delay the initial round of mid-decade gerrymandering. Gaining seats and building new Democratic majorities in our statehouses is imperative for putting Democrats in a stronger position now and at the end of the decade.
News in Texas
Press Releases |
DLCC Announces Record Candidate Recruitment in North CarolinaToday DLCCÂ Executive Director Jessica Post announced record-breaking Democratic candidate recruitment for the North Carolina state legislature. North Carolina Democrats have candidates running in each of the 170 districts - 120 state House districts, and 50 state Senate districts - on the ballot. The talented slate of Democratic candidates includes educators, veterans, small business owners, and lawyers. And of the 218 Democrats running for state legislature, 81 are women.
Press Releases |
NCSL Announces Women Legislators Cross 25 Percent ThresholdAs the DLCC works to elect the best candidates to state legislatures nationwide, we are proud to support the many women legislators who flipped seats from red to blue in 2017, and continue to step up and fight for our values by putting their names on the ballot in 2018 and beyond.
Press Releases |
One Year of Trump ResistanceIn the past year since Donald Trump was inaugurated as President, state Democrats have stepped up to create a blue wall of resistance against the Trump administration’s extremist policies. And it’s working. Facing the lowest approval rating of any elected president in his first term, Trump and his Republican legislators are desperate to claim victories that simply are unattainable in the toxic environment they have created in Washington.
Press Releases |
The DLCC's 2018 RoadmapOn Nov. 7, voters turned out in droves in a direct rebuke of state Republicans and the Trump administration. Americans from coast to coast sent a clear message that they will step up and defend Democratic values, safeguard the progress we have made, and push onward.
Press Releases |
DLCC Names Texas State Representative Eric Johnson Delegate to Democratic National CommitteeToday DLCC Executive Director Jessica Post announced that Texas Representative Eric Johnson will serve as its third delegate to the Democratic National Committee.
Press Releases |
DLCC Lauds Texas Anti-GOP Gerrymandering RulingToday Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Executive Director Jessica Post applauded the decision in Perez v. Abbott, a suit against Texas Republican lawmakers’ unconstitutional use of racial gerrymandering that resulted in the invalidation of four congressional districts: TX-23, TX-26, TX-27, and TX 35.
Press Releases |
DLCC Announces New Board Leadership, MembersToday Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Executive Director Jessica Post congratulated new Board of Directors Chair Tina Kotek, the Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, and welcomed seven additional new Board members.
Press Releases |
DLCC 2016 Election AnalysisWhile Democrats running for state legislative office fell short of this cycle’s high expectations, Democratic power in state legislatures actually increased. While Republicans gained majorities in just three legislative chambers, Democrats won majorities in at least four. Additionally, Democrats expanded our majorities and added seats in a number of states.
Press Releases |
DLCC Celebrates Statehouse Victories NationwideToday Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Executive Director Jessica Post lauded the pickup of at least three Democratic legislative majorities in the Nevada Assembly, the Nevada Senate, and the New Mexico House.