Andrew White (Texas) - Ballotpedia

Andrew is president of Sweat Equity Partners, where he leads an entrepreneur-led group of companies. He previously worked at businesses dealing with fire and water damage restoration, founded Allied Warranty and Lone Star Repair to provide home warranty coverage to Texans, launched an industrial cleaning firm that removed thousands of tons of CO2, and developed a human-detection technology adopted by prisons, border agencies, and military bases.

Houston businessman Andrew White launches Democratic ...

Believes private equity ownership of single-family homes should be limited to 100 homes per company.

Wants to raise the Texas minimum wage to match inflation at $11 an hour.

Supports providing two years of free vocational education at Texas community colleges to train students for high-demand, well-paying trades like electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.

As of January 22, 2026, Andrew White’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Supports access to contraceptives and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Supports access to contraceptives and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and investing in perimenopause research.

Proposes creating a Texas-based healthcare co-op that eliminates traditional insurance and caps out-of-pocket healthcare costs as a percentage of income.

Supports a Parental Algorithm Transparency Act requiring social media platforms to show what types of content are being promoted and allow parents to control categories, with the goal of improving mental health and reducing suicide.

Healthcare

Supports drilling and investing in clean technology to ensure energy independence and a sustainable future.

Supports drilling for oil and gas and investing in renewable technology.

Energy & the Environment

Supports gun control, saying "I’m a proud 2A supporter who believes in common-sense gun safety. Seat belt laws save lives – and so can keeping guns from dangerous hands with background checks, age limits (except for military and police), short waiting periods, and red flag laws. Protect rights. Protect families."

Supports gun control, including policies such as "keeping guns from dangerous hands with background checks, age limits (except for military and police), short waiting periods, and red flag laws."

Public Safety

Supports allowing legal immigration for "well-qualified candidates" and "well-documented asylum seekers."

Opposes separating children from their families due to immigration status and believes undocumented children should be protected.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Supports creating a plan to improve school quality and requiring the Legislature to vote on it.

Supports creating a plan to improve school quality using an independent commission and requiring the Legislature to vote on it.

Supports ending private school voucher programs and redirecting that funding to provide universal pre-K for all four-year-olds.

Supports raising teacher salaries by $10,000 by funding the increase through legalized sports betting and casinos.

Education

Supports independent redistricting, ranked choice voting, term limits, age limits for politicians, and proportional allocation of electoral votes.

Voting & Elections

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Andrew White

Andrew has previously worked as the president of Sweat Equity Partners. He has also worked at businesses dealing with fire and water damage restoration, founded Allied Warranty and Lone Star Repair, launched an industrial cleaning firm, and developed a human-detection technology.

- Advocates for simplifying the tax code.
- Believes private equity ownership of single-family homes should be limited to 100 homes per company.
- Wants to raise the Texas minimum wage to match inflation at $11 an hour.
- Supports providing two years of free vocational education at Texas community colleges to train students for high-demand, well-paying trades like electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.

- Supports access to contraceptives and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and investing in perimenopause research.
- Supports expanding Medicaid in Texas.
- Proposes creating a Texas-based healthcare co-op that eliminates traditional insurance and caps out-of-pocket healthcare costs as a percentage of income.
- Supports a Parental Algorithm Transparency Act requiring social media platforms to show what types of content are being promoted and allow parents to control categories, with the goal of improving mental health and reducing suicide.

- Supports drilling for oil and gas and investing in renewable technology.

- Supports gun control, including policies such as "keeping guns from dangerous hands with background checks, age limits (except for military and police), short waiting periods, and red flag laws."

- Supports allowing legal immigration for "well-qualified candidates" and "well-documented asylum seekers."
- Opposes separating children from their families due to immigration status and believes undocumented children should be protected.

- Supports creating a plan to improve school quality using an independent commission and requiring the Legislature to vote on it.
- Supports ending private school voucher programs and redirecting that funding to provide universal pre-K for all four-year-olds.
- Supports raising teacher salaries by $10,000 by funding the increase through legalized sports betting and casinos.

- Supports independent redistricting, ranked choice voting, term limits, age limits for politicians, and proportional allocation of electoral votes.

- Advocates for simplifying the tax code.

- Supports access to contraceptives and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and investing in perimenopause research.
- Supports expanding Medicaid in Texas.

- Supports creating a plan to improve school quality using an independent commission and requiring the Legislature to vote on it.
- Supports ending private school voucher programs to fund pre-K for every 4 old.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Walter Ley

Supports having an independent commission led by Admiral William McRaven to develop a plan to improve schools.

Supports an independent commission developing a plan to improve schools, and the legislature voting to approve it. 

Supports having an independent commission, led by Admiral William McRaven, create a plan to improve schools.

Supports having an independent commission led by someone like Admiral William McRaven to develop a plan to improve schools.

Angie Villescaz - Cirkiel Law Group

LinkedIn

Angela "Tiaangie" Villescaz is from Uvalde, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and safety studies from Jarvis Christian University and a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin. Angela currently lives in Kyle, Texas.

Angela is currently a professional education advocate at Cirkiel Law Group and the founder and executive director of Fierce Madres, a gun safety awareness nonprofit. She previously worked as a researcher for the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault and an advocate for the SAFE Alliance and East Texas Crisis Center.

Angela "TiaAngie" Villescaz's campaign for Texas Governor in the Democratic primary is her first entry into politics.

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Angela previously ran for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Texas District 23 in 2018 and the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 45 in 2022, but did not win.

Q&A: Meet the Democratic primary candidates for Texas governor

Supports helping Latino families through good jobs, small business support, and economic policies that help "build generational wealth."

Plans to push for reforms that exempt taxpayers over 55 without school-age dependents from paying school taxes.

Supports ending policies that give corporations and school districts priority over families when purchasing residential properties.

- Supports helping Latino families through good jobs, small business support, and economic policies that help "build generational wealth."
- Plans to push for reforms that exempt taxpayers over 55 without school-age dependents from paying school taxes.
- Supports ending policies that give corporations and school districts priority over families when purchasing residential properties.

Supports abortion and other reproductive care access, along with mental health services.

Supports affordable healthcare and accessible healthcare for all Texans.

- Supports abortion and other reproductive care access, along with mental health services.
- Supports affordable healthcare and accessible healthcare for all Texans.
- Supports legalizing marijuana.

Plans to declare a state of emergency and formally request federal relief after natural disasters.

- Plans to declare a state of emergency and formally request federal relief after natural disasters.

Supports gun control, prioritizing "common-sense" gun safety measures and comprehensive school security.

Supports resources and protection for women, caregivers, and survivors of violence and trauma.

- Supports gun control, prioritizing "common-sense" gun safety measures and comprehensive school security.
- Supports resources and protection for women, caregivers, and survivors of violence and trauma.

Supports immigration reform through "humane" policies that focus on keeping families together and honoring immigrant communities' contributions.

Supports protection of mixed-status families from being separated due to immigration status.

Supports abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

- Supports immigration reform through "humane" policies that focus on keeping families together and honoring immigrant communities' contributions.
- Supports protection of mixed-status families from being separated due to immigration status.
- Supports abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Supports school funding with "robust" special education services and support, and quality public education for all children.

Plans to immediately fully fund public schools with $5 billion from Texas's Rainy Day Fund and redirecting money from the "inhumane Operation Lone Star" to Texas teachers.

- Supports school funding with "robust" special education services and support, and quality public education for all children.
- Supports ensuring school lunches.
- Plans to immediately fully fund public schools with $5 billion from Texas's Rainy Day Fund and redirecting money from the "inhumane Operation Lone Star" to Texas teachers.

As of January 22, 2026, Angela "Tiaangie" Villescaz’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Angela "Tiaangie" Villescaz

Angela "Tiaangie" Villescaz is from Uvalde. She earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and safety studies from Jarvis Christian University and a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin. Angela lives in Kyle.

Angela is currently a professional education advocate at Cirkiel Law Group and the founder and executive director of Fierce Madres, a gun safety awareness nonprofit formed after the Robb Elementary School shooting. She previously worked as a researcher for the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault and an advocate for the SAFE Alliance and East Texas Crisis Center.

- Supports helping Latino families through jobs, small business support, and economic policies.
- Plans to push for reforms that exempt taxpayers over 55 with school-age dependents from paying school taxes.
- Supports eliminating the ability for corporations and school districts to being given priority when purchasing residential properties over families.

- Supports abortion and other reproductive care access, along with mental health services.
- Supports affordable healthcare and accessible healthcare for all Texans, along with renewing child healthcare.
- Supports legalizing marijuana.

- Supports immigration reform through "humane" policies that focus on keeping families together and honoring immigrant communities' contributions and abolishing ICE.
- Supports protection of mixed-status families from being separated due to immigration status.

- Supports school funding with "robust" special education services and support and quality public education for all children.
- Supports ensuring school lunches.
- Plans to immediately fully fund public schools with $5 billion from Texas's Rainy Day Fund and redirecting money from the "inhumane Operation Lone Star" to Texas teachers.

Bobby Cole is from Quitman, Texas. He has a dairy farm that raises 300 head of cattle and over 1,000,000 chickens a year.

 East Texas rancher running for governor as a Democrat, says he’ll fight for the working man 

Meet the East Texas farmer vying for the governor's seat in 2026

Bobby Cole - Ballotpedia

Bobby Cole is originally from East Texas and moved to Quitman at age seven, where he has resided since. He lives in Quitman with his wife and their children and grandchildren.

Quitman dairy farmer, retired firefighter, announces campaign for governor

Bobby currently works as a farmer and rancher, raising cattle and poultry. He previously worked as a firefighter, retiring at the rank of lieutenant after serving in fire departments in Texarkana and Plano.

Bobby's campaign for Texas governor is his first time running for public office.

East Texas farmer launches 2026 bid to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott

Bobby's campaign for Texas Governor is his first time running for public office.

Why this Texas farmer thinks he can stop Greg Abbott's reelection bid

Supports legalizing marijuana, believing it will create jobs, increase revenues, and assist rural farmers.

Supports raising the minimum wage and protecting workers’ right to unionize.

Supports reducing property taxes and using marijuana tax revenue to offset tax burdens on homeowners.

Supports modernizing and winterizing the power grid to prevent power outages during extreme weather.

Supports farmers and rural economies based on lived experience.

- Supports legalizing marijuana, believing it will create jobs, increase revenues, and assist rural farmers.
- Supports raising the minimum wage and protecting workers’ right to unionize.
- Supports reducing property taxes and using marijuana tax revenue to offset tax burdens on homeowners.
- Supports farmers and rural economies based on lived experience.

Supports immediate Medicaid expansion to cover uninsured Texans and keep rural hospitals open.

Supports restoring abortion access and limiting government involvement in reproductive decisions.

Supports legalizing marijuana and expunging low-level offenses.

Supports LGBTQ rights and opposes state interference in personal lives.

- Supports immediate Medicaid expansion to cover uninsured Texans and keep rural hospitals open.
- Supports restoring abortion access and limiting government involvement in reproductive decisions.
- Supports legalizing marijuana and expunging low-level offenses.
- Supports LGBTQ rights and opposes state interference in personal lives.

Supports winterizing and modernizing the Texas power grid.

Acknowledges climate change and supports a mixed energy strategy including renewables and oil and gas.

- Supports winterizing and modernizing the Texas power grid.
- Acknowledges climate change and supports a mixed energy strategy including renewables and oil and gas.

States support for Second Amendment rights while endorsing gun safety measures supported by gun owners.

Supports the expungement of low-level offenses for marijuana arrests.

- States support for Second Amendment rights while endorsing gun safety measures supported by gun owners.
- Supports the expungement of low-level offenses for marijuana arrests.

Views immigration as a federal issue and opposes state-level political "theatrics."

Supports expanding and protecting services and support for veterans.

- Views immigration as a federal issue and opposes state-level political "theatrics."
- Supports expanding and protecting services and support for veterans.

Supports increased per-student funding and opposes school vouchers.

Supports raising teacher salaries to competitive national levels.

- Supports increased per-student funding and opposes school vouchers.
- Supports raising teacher salaries to competitive national levels.

As of January 22, 2026, Bobby Cole’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Youtube

Bobby Cole

Bobby Cole currently works as a farmer and rancher, raising cattle and poultry. He previously worked as a firefighter, retiring at the rank of lieutenant after serving in fire departments in Texarkana and Plano.

- Views immigration as a federal issue and opposes state-level political theatrics.
- Supports expanding and protecting services and support for veterans.

Wants to use tax revenue from marijuana sales to help reduce property taxes.

Supports using both renewable energy and fossil fuels.

Believes immigration is a federal issue and supports practical solutions for border control, opposing "performative theatrics" and villainization of people, and advocating for a legal process that benefits Texans and the economy.

Carlton Hart | 2026 candidate for Texas Governor

Carlton W. Hart is a retired events specialist from Houston.

Carlton W. Hart's campaign for Governor of Texas is his first entry into politics.

Carlton Hart - Ballotpedia

Carlton's campaign for Governor of Texas is his first entry into politics.

As of January 22, 2026, Carlton W. Hart did not have a website or any information online.

Carlton W. Hart

Carlton is a retired events specialist from Houston.

As of January 22, 2026, Carlton W. Hart’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Carlton Hart’s campaign for Governor of Texas is his first entry into politics.

Carlton W. Hart is originally from Houston.

Carlton is currently retired. He previously worked as an events specialist.

Carlton's campaign for governor of Texas is his first run for public office.

Aims to focus on healthcare access as part of his campaign for Texas Governor.

Supports education reform as a key focus of his campaign.

Chris Bell is from Abilene, Texas, and grew up in Dallas. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. He and his wife, Alison Ayres Bell, have two sons. The family lives in the Meyerland neighborhood and attends Christ Church Cathedral Episcopal Church.

Chris Bell (Texas) - Ballotpedia

Chris Bell - Wikipedia

Chris Bell was born in Abilene, Texas, and raised in Dallas. He has a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston. Bell lives in Houston with his wife, Alison Ayres, and their two children.

Chris is an attorney. He is a partner at Berg Feldman Johnson Bell, LLP. He previously worked as a journalist and TV and radio reporter. 

Chris currently works as a lawyer specializing in commercial litigation. He previously worked as a partner at multiple law firms, including Berg Feldman Johnson Bell, LLP, Bell Rose & Cobos, and Braun & Gresham, PLLC, and practiced law through his own firm. Bell also worked as a television and radio journalist before entering the legal profession.

Chris previously served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2005. He ran for Texas governor in 2006 but did not win. He also ran for a Texas House seat in 1984, a Texas Senate seat in 2008, and for Houston mayor in 2001 and 2015, but did not win those races.

Former Congressman Chris Bell enters Texas governor's race ...

Former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell joins Texas Democrats seeking to ...

Chris previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Texas’ 25th Congressional District. He served one term from 2003 to 2005. He also previously served on the Houston City Council from 1997 to 2002. He ran for governor of Texas in 2006, Texas State Senate in 2008, Mayor of Houston in 2001 and 2015, and for the U.S. Senate in 2020, but did not win.

Democrat Chris Bell is running for Texas governor again, 20 years ...

Supports ethics reform and limiting special-interest influence on economic policy.

Opposes public funds being directed toward private interests at the expense of public services.

Supports increased regulation of insurance markets to reduce household costs.

Emphasizes affordability, livability, and opportunity as core economic priorities.

- Supports ethics reform and limiting special-interest influence on economic policy.
- Opposes public funds being directed toward private interests at the expense of public services.
- Supports increased regulation of insurance markets to reduce household costs.
- Emphasizes affordability, livability, and opportunity as core economic priorities.

Said, "I trust Texas women — and I believe government should not come between a woman and her doctor."

Supports access to abortion and limiting government involvement in medical decisions.

Supports stem cell research and children’s health coverage.

- Supports access to abortion and limiting government involvement in medical decisions.
- Supports stem cell research and children’s health coverage.

As of January 22, 2026, Chris Bell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports using technology to reduce crime and improve policing.

- Supports using technology to reduce crime and improve policing.

Supports a pathway to citizenship with requirements while avoiding border militarization.

Supported legislation offering residency to same-sex immigrant partners.

- Supports a pathway to citizenship with requirements while avoiding border militarization.
- Supported legislation offering residency to same-sex immigrant partners.

Opposes the state's new taxpayer-funded education savings accounts program.

Opposes private school voucher program, which allows qualifying families to use tax dollars to send their children to private school, and emphasizes commitment to public schools.

Supports increased public education funding, teacher retention, and affordability in higher education.

- Opposes private school voucher program, which allows qualifying families to use tax dollars to send their children to private school, and emphasizes commitment to public schools.
- Supports increased public education funding, teacher retention, and affordability in higher education.

Chris Bell

Chris Bell was born in Abilene, Texas, and was raised in Dallas. He earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston. Bell lives in Houston with his wife, Alison Ayres, and their two children.

Chris currently works as a lawyer specializing in commercial litigation. He previously worked as a partner at multiple law firms, including Berg Feldman Johnson Bell, LLP, Bell Rose & Cobos, and Braun & Gresham, PLLC, and practiced law through his own firm. Bell also worked as a television and radio journalist before entering the legal profession and served as a member of the United States House of Representatives after earlier public service on the Houston City Council.

Chris Bell is running for Governor of Texas in the 2026 election. He previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Texas’ 25th Congressional District. He served one term from 2003 to 2005. Bell also previously served on the Houston City Council as an at-large council member. He served from 1997 to 2002. Bell previously ran for Governor of Texas in 2006, winning the Democratic nomination but losing the general election. He also previously ran for Texas State Senate in 2008, for Mayor of Houston in 2001 and 2015, and for the U.S. Senate in 2020, but did not win those elections.

- Supports reproductive rights and limiting government involvement in medical decisions.
- Supports stem cell research and children’s health coverage.
- Supports increased regulation of insurance rates to address affordability.

- Supports using technology to reduce crime and improve policing
- Campaign emphasizes ethics reform and restoring public trust

- Supports a pathway to citizenship with requirements while avoiding border militarization
- Supported legislation offering residency to same-sex immigrant partners

- Opposes private school voucher program and emphasizes commitment to public schools
- Supports increased public education funding, teacher retention, and affordability in higher education

Gina Hinosojosa graduated from the University of Texas and received her law degree from George Washington University. She is a wife and mother.

Gina is a civil rights and union lawyer. She previously served as a trustee for the Austin Independent School District (AISD) Board, where she was appointed Board President in 2015.

Texas AFT :Texas AFT endorses Gina Hinojosa for Texas Governor ...

Before taking elected office, Gina worked as a civil rights and union lawyer. 

Gina is currently a Texas state representative. She was first elected in 2018 and is currently serving her fourth term.

State Rep. Gina Hinojosa vows to 'fight back,' enters 2026 ...

Gina is currently a Texas state representative. She was first elected in 2018 and is currently serving her fourth term. She previously served as a trustee for the Austin Independent School District (AISD) Board.

Wants to combat corporate greed to make life more affordable for working families in Texas.

Wants to "take on corporate greed that is making life increasingly unaffordable for working families."

Opposes incentivizing private equity and corporate giants, advocating for opportunities for small businesses and working Texans to thrive.

Opposes "incentivizing private equity and corporate giants."

Said, "The only reason Texans struggle is because our governor works for corporate interests and not the people of Texas."

Wants to lower property taxes so renters can afford to buy homes.

Supports cutting taxes for small businesses.

- Wants to "take on corporate greed that is making life increasingly unaffordable for working families."
- Opposes "incentivizing private equity and corporate giants."
- Said, "The only reason Texans struggle is because our governor works for corporate interests and not the people of Texas."
- Wants to lower property taxes so renters can afford to buy homes.
- Supports cutting taxes for small businesses.

Believes big insurance and drug companies prioritize profits over patients and supports reigning in profiteers to make healthcare more affordable and effective for Texans.

Believes big insurance and drug companies are making healthcare more expensive and opposes private equity buying doctors' offices, anesthesia, and X-ray machines to "charge you more money for less care."

- Believes big insurance and drug companies are making healthcare more expensive and opposes private equity buying doctors' offices, anesthesia, and X-ray machines to "charge you more money for less care."
- Supports access to abortion.

Gina Hinojosa

- The governor leads Texas’ executive branch and oversees enforcement of state laws and policies.
- They appoint agency leaders, boards, and commissions, shaping how state government operates.
- They can sign bills into law, veto bills, or allow them to become law without action, and exercise a line-item veto on spending bills.
- They serve a four-year term, elected by popular (plurality) vote, and there are no term limits.
- As of 2025, the governor’s annual salary is about $153,750.
- The governor commands the state’s military forces (Texas Military Forces) when not federalized.
- The governor may grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations with the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Texas Governor, Democratic Primary

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