Texas' 17th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 ...

J. Gordon Mitchell is from Pontiac, Michigan. He has associate's degrees from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University, and a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Gordon previously worked as a first responder and as a substitute teacher. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force for 39 years.

Gordon previously served as a member of the Leander Independent School District board. He was first elected in 2016 and served until 2021. Gordon previously ran for William County Justice of the Peace in 2022, but did not win.

Supports raising the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour and indexing it to inflation to ensure full-time workers do not live in poverty.

Supports raising the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour and indexing it to inflation.

Supports protecting and expanding unions and collective bargaining rights to help workers negotiate better wages, benefits, and safe working conditions.

Supports protecting and expanding unions and collective bargaining rights to help workers negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Supports small businesses and local entrepreneurs by providing access to affordable credit, grants, and technical assistance to drive innovation and job growth.

Supports small businesses and local entrepreneurs by providing access to affordable credit, grants, and technical assistance.

Supports rebuilding infrastructure and creating good-paying jobs in renewable energy, public transit, and modern manufacturing to help communities compete and succeed.

Supports rebuilding infrastructure and creating jobs in renewable energy, public transit, and modern manufacturing.

Supports investing in American manufacturing, small businesses, and rural communities, prioritizing federal contracts for American-made goods and incentivizing companies to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.

Supports implementing a global minimum corporate tax, closing tax havens, and ensuring corporations pay their fair share to fund American priorities like infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Supports implementing a global minimum corporate tax, closing tax havens, and ensuring corporations pay their taxes.

- Supports raising the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour and indexing it to inflation.
- Supports protecting and expanding unions and collective bargaining rights to help workers negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions.
- Supports small businesses and local entrepreneurs by providing access to affordable credit, grants, and technical assistance.
- Supports rebuilding infrastructure and creating jobs in renewable energy, public transit, and modern manufacturing.
- Supports investing in American manufacturing, small businesses, and rural communities, prioritizing federal contracts for American-made goods and incentivizing companies to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
- Supports implementing a global minimum corporate tax, closing tax havens, and ensuring corporations pay their taxes.

Economy

Supports universal background checks for all gun sales and closing loopholes that allow purchases without proper screening.

Supports universal background checks for gun sales and closing loopholes that allow purchases without proper screening.

Supports banning bump stocks, high-capacity magazines, and suppressors, viewing them as military-style accessories that contribute to mass shootings and have no place in communities.

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue public-safety:  
Supports implementing red flag laws that allow families and law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others, while ensuring due process is protected.

Supports implementing red flag laws that allow families and law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others, while ensuring due process is protected.

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue public-safety: Supports raising the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic firearms to ensure responsible access to dangerous weapons.

Supports raising the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic firearms to ensure responsible access to dangerous weapons.

Supports investing in gun violence prevention research and mental health services to understand root causes of violence and provide early support.

Supports safe storage laws and education to keep firearms out of the hands of children and those at risk of harm.

Opposes gun lobby influence on public safety policy, prioritizes the protection of children from gun violence, and advocates for strong leadership to ensure a safe environment for all.

Supports full funding for federal civil rights divisions and robust enforcement of anti-discrimination laws across all agencies.

- Supports universal background checks for gun sales and closing loopholes that allow purchases without proper screening.
- Supports banning bump stocks, high-capacity magazines, and suppressors, viewing them as military-style accessories that contribute to mass shootings and have no place in communities.
- Supports implementing red flag laws that allow families and law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others, while ensuring due process is protected.
- Supports raising the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic firearms to ensure responsible access to dangerous weapons.
- Supports investing in gun violence prevention research and mental health services to understand root causes of violence and provide early support.
- Supports safe storage laws and education to keep firearms out of the hands of children and those at risk of harm.
- Opposes gun lobby influence on public safety policy, prioritizes the protection of children from gun violence, and advocates for strong leadership to ensure a safe environment for all.
- Supports full funding for federal civil rights divisions and robust enforcement of anti-discrimination laws across all agencies.

Public Safety

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue healthcare: Supports affordable healthcare access.

Supports expanding Medicare to everyone who wants it, providing a comprehensive and affordable public healthcare plan that includes various medical services.

Supports expanding Medicare to everyone who wants it.

Supports lowering prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices directly with pharmaceutical companies and capping out-of-pocket expenses for families.

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue healthcare: Supports eliminating surprise medical bills and hidden fees that drive families into debt.

Supports eliminating surprise medical bills and hidden fees.

Supports expanding mental health and substance abuse services, emphasizing the importance of mental health alongside physical health.

Supports expanding mental health and substance abuse services.

Supports investing in rural health clinics and telehealth to ensure equal quality care for small towns and rural communities.

Supports investing in rural health clinics and telehealth.

Supports investing in working families through paid family and medical leave, universal childcare, and expanded access to affordable healthcare.

Supports paid family and medical leave, universal childcare, and expanded access to affordable healthcare.

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue public-safety: Supports championing disability justice, expanding accessibility, funding for independent living supports, and protections against discrimination.

Supports expanding accessibility, funding for independent living supports, and protections against discrimination for disabled Americans.

- Supports affordable healthcare access.
- Supports expanding Medicare to everyone who wants it.
- Supports lowering prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices directly with pharmaceutical companies and capping out-of-pocket expenses for families.
- Supports eliminating surprise medical bills and hidden fees.
- Supports expanding mental health and substance abuse services.
- Supports investing in rural health clinics and telehealth.
- Supports paid family and medical leave, universal childcare, and expanded access to affordable healthcare.
- Supports expanding accessibility, funding for independent living supports, and protections against discrimination for disabled Americans.

Healthcare

Supports expanding access to pre-K, special education, and after-school programs for children.

Supports safe, inclusive, and healthy school environments where diversity is celebrated and no student is left behind.

Supports partnering with parents, teachers, and local school boards to strengthen neighborhood schools and ensure local voices are heard in education policy decisions.

Supports expanding access to education and job training so every worker can learn new skills and advance their careers, regardless of age or background.

Supports expanding access to education and job training so workers can learn new skills.

Supports restoring and increasing funding for the Department of Education and its civil rights and disability rights divisions.

Candidate J Gordon Mitchell opposes school voucher schemes and efforts to divert public money to private or religious schools.

Opposes school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

- Supports expanding access to pre-K, special education, and after-school programs for children.
- Supports safe, inclusive, and healthy school environments where diversity is celebrated and no student is left behind.
- Supports partnering with parents, teachers, and local school boards to strengthen neighborhood schools and ensure local voices are heard in education policy decisions.
- Supports expanding access to education and job training so workers can learn new skills.
- Supports restoring and increasing funding for the Department of Education and its civil rights and disability rights divisions.
- Opposes school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

Education

Supports legislation for strong emissions reporting and accountability for major polluters, both domestic and international.

Supports rejoining and strengthening U.S. participation in the Paris Climate Agreement, setting ambitious emissions targets, and increasing contributions to international climate finance to help vulnerable nations adapt to climate impacts and transition to clean energy.

Supports rejoining and strengthening U.S. participation in the Paris Climate Agreement.

Advocates for major investment in clean energy research and development, focusing on renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainable agriculture to create jobs and attract investment in Central Texas.

Advocates for major investment in clean energy research and development, focusing on renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainable agriculture.

Plans to launch a federal-state partnership to fund local pilot projects aimed at improving water management, restoring native habitats, and enhancing community resilience to extreme weather.

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue energy-and-environment: Supports lowering energy costs, diversifying local economies, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Supports lowering energy costs, diversifying local economies, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Promotes clean transportation by investing in public transit, electric vehicle infrastructure, and safer, greener streets in both urban and rural areas.

Supports holding corporate polluters accountable through strong enforcement of environmental laws and penalties for prioritizing profits over people.

Supports holding corporate polluters accountable through strong enforcement of environmental laws and penalties.

Supports investing in flood control, drought management, and wildfire prevention using the latest science.

Supports investing in flood control, drought management, and wildfire prevention.

Supports promoting conservation and drought resilience through federal support for farmers and municipalities.

Advocates for trade policies that protect the environment, address climate change, and end fossil fuel subsidies in international financing.

Advocates for trade policies that protect the environment, address climate change, and end fossil fuel subsidies.

- Supports legislation for strong emissions reporting and accountability for major polluters, both domestic and international.
- Supports rejoining and strengthening U.S. participation in the Paris Climate Agreement.
- Advocates for major investment in clean energy research and development, focusing on renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainable agriculture.
- Plans to launch a federal-state partnership to fund local pilot projects aimed at improving water management, restoring native habitats, and enhancing community resilience to extreme weather.
- Supports lowering energy costs, diversifying local economies, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Promotes clean transportation by investing in public transit, electric vehicle infrastructure, and safer, greener streets in both urban and rural areas.
- Supports holding corporate polluters accountable through strong enforcement of environmental laws and penalties.
- Supports investing in flood control, drought management, and wildfire prevention.
- Supports promoting conservation and drought resilience through federal support for farmers and municipalities.
- Advocates for trade policies that protect the environment, address climate change, and end fossil fuel subsidies.

Energy & the Environment

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue voting-representation: Supports ending dark money in politics by requiring full disclosure of all campaign donors and closing loopholes that allow hidden money in elections.

Supports requiring full disclosure of all campaign donors and closing loopholes that allow hidden money in elections.

Supports term limits for members of Congress to ensure fresh ideas and prevent career politicians from using their power for personal gain.

Supports term limits for members of Congress.

- Supports requiring full disclosure of all campaign donors and closing loopholes that allow hidden money in elections.
- Supports term limits for members of Congress.

Voting & Elections

Supports legislation for transparency, oversight, and anti-corruption standards in U.S. foreign aid to prevent misuse by corrupt officials or special interests.

- Supports legislation for transparency, oversight, and anti-corruption standards in U.S. foreign aid to prevent misuse by corrupt officials or special interests.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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J Gordon Mitchell

Supports investing in American manufacturing, small businesses, and rural communities, with a focus on trade policies that create jobs and prioritize American-made goods.

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue public-safety:  
Supports passing a national law guaranteeing marriage equality.

Supports the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to ensure gender equality is enshrined in the Constitution.

Supports safeguarding racial equity initiatives and holding federal and state agencies accountable for protecting the rights of all communities.

Opposes attempts to roll back civil rights protections and advocates for new laws to address emerging threats to equality.

Supports expanding healthcare access and improving services for all communities.

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue healthcare:  
Supports safe, inclusive, and healthy environments in schools.

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue healthcare:  
Advocates for strengthening neighborhood schools and ensuring local voices are heard in education policy decisions.

Supports defending and restoring full funding for federal civil rights divisions and ensuring robust enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in healthcare.

Supports passing a national law guaranteeing marriage equality.

For Candidate J Gordon Mitchell on Issue healthcare: Supports gender equality and the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Supports disability justice, expanding accessibility, funding for independent living supports, and protections against discrimination.

Supports safeguarding racial equity initiatives and holding federal and state agencies accountable for protecting the rights of all communities in healthcare.

Opposes efforts to roll back civil rights protections in healthcare and advocates for new laws to address gaps and emerging threats to equality.

Opposes school voucher schemes and efforts to divert public money to private or religious schools.

Supports restoring and increasing funding for the Department of Education to protect and support every student.

Supports trade policies that protect the environment and address climate change, including prohibiting illegal deforestation, reducing carbon emissions, and incentivizing clean energy investment, while also pushing to end fossil fuel subsidies in U.S. international financing.

Supports enforcing environmental protections against polluters along the Brazos River and other waterways.

Supports ensuring environmental justice by prioritizing cleanup and prevention in communities most affected by pollution.

Supports legislation for transparency, oversight, and anti-corruption standards in U.S. foreign aid to prevent fraud.

Supports legislation for transparency and anti-corruption standards in U.S. foreign aid to prevent misuse by corrupt officials or special interests.

Supports investing in American manufacturing and prioritizing federal contracts for American-made goods to create jobs and strengthen local economies.

Supports trade policies that protect the environment, address climate change, prohibit illegal deforestation, reduce carbon emissions, and incentivize clean energy investment, while pushing to end fossil fuel subsidies in U.S. international financing.

Supports implementing a global minimum corporate tax and closing tax havens to ensure corporations pay their fair share, funding American priorities like infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Supports the End Corruption in International Aid Act.

- Your US Representative represents the interests of your district in the US House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Texas currently has 36 US Representatives.
- US Representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become national law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain policy areas, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the Speaker of the House or Majority/Minority Leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms. To hold this office, a candidate must be a legal resident of Texas for at least seven years before their election. US Representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.