This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas Primary Election

Democrat

Republican

2026 Texas Primary Runoff

Abhiram is from Florence, Texas. He attended Stanford University, where he completed advanced investment coursework. He has a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications engineering. He lives with his wife and their two children in Florence. He attends a Christian church.

LinkedIn

Texas' 31st Congressional District election, 2026 - Ballotpedia

Abhiram Garapati is originally from Nuzvid, India, and immigrated to the United States in 1997. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications engineering at Acharya Nagarjuna University and completed advanced investment coursework at Stanford University. He lives with his wife and their two children in Florence, Texas.

Abhiram Garapati currently works as the founder and president of Ant Savings, a commercial real estate investment firm based in Central Texas. He previously worked as a farmer, cattle rancher, real estate broker, and property manager.

Abhiram Garapati previously ran for election to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Texas's 31st Congressional District in the Republican primary in 2020, 2022, and 2024 but did not win.

Abhiram's campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas’ 31st Congressional District is his fourth run for public office. He previously ran for U.S. House in 2020, 2022, and 2024, but did not win. He is currently running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 31 in 2026.

Supports lower taxes and fiscal restraint, aiming to reduce the tax burden on Americans by eliminating wasteful spending and opposing tax hikes.

Wants to eliminate property taxes and shift to more sustainable funding methods for local services to help families retain ownership of their homes and businesses.

Supports eliminating property taxes and shift to more sustainable funding methods for local services to help families retain ownership of their homes and businesses.

Promises to push for audits of every federal department to eliminate waste and return tax dollars to the people.

Wants to balance the national budget and pay off national debt by 2050.

Supports small businesses to create jobs for all Americans.

For Candidate Abhiram Garapati on Issue economy: Supports balancing trade, bringing jobs back from overseas, and ensuring fair trade practices to protect American workers.

Supports balancing trade, bringing jobs back from overseas, and ensuring fair trade practices to protect American workers.

- Supports lower taxes and fiscal restraint, aiming to reduce the tax burden on Americans by eliminating wasteful spending and opposing tax hikes.
- Supports eliminating property taxes and shift to more sustainable funding methods for local services to help families retain ownership of their homes and businesses.
- Promises to push for audits of every federal department to eliminate waste and return tax dollars to the people.
- Wants to balance the national budget and pay off national debt by 2050.
- Supports small businesses to create jobs for all Americans.
- Supports balancing trade, bringing jobs back from overseas, and ensuring fair trade practices to protect American workers.

Economy

Opposes legislation that infringes on gun rights and seeks to repeal existing federal firearm laws deemed unconstitutional.

Supports law enforcement and first responders, advocating for full funding, proper training, and community support to ensure safe neighborhoods.

- Opposes legislation that infringes on gun rights and seeks to repeal existing federal firearm laws deemed unconstitutional.
- Supports law enforcement and first responders, advocating for full funding, proper training, and community support to ensure safe neighborhoods.

Public Safety

For Candidate Abhiram Garapati on Issue healthcare:  
Opposes access to abortion and identifies as personally pro-life.

For Candidate Abhiram Garapati on Issue healthcare: Supports affordable healthcare through competitive, market-driven solutions and opposes government-controlled healthcare.

Opposes government-controlled healthcare and supports market-based private insurance

- Opposes access to abortion.
- Opposes government-controlled healthcare and supports market-based private insurance

Healthcare

Candidate Abhiram Garapati Discusses Immigration, Technology, and Rural Issues in Texas Congressional Race

Believes parents should be fully informed and involved in their children's education, healthcare, and moral development, and supports protecting families from federal overreach.

Supports strengthening STEM education and workforce readiness for emerging technologies

- Supports strengthening STEM education and workforce readiness for emerging technologies

Education

Supports transitioning to renewable energy and eliminating landfill waste

- Supports transitioning to renewable energy and eliminating landfill waste

Energy & the Environment

Supports term limits of 12 years for Senators and Representatives.

Supports voter identification, paper ballots, and ending mail-in ballots (except for deployed service members)

Supports campaign finance reform and designating Election Day as a federal holiday

- Supports term limits of 12 years for Senators and Representatives.
- Supports voter identification, paper ballots, and ending mail-in ballots (except for deployed service members)
- Supports campaign finance reform and designating Election Day as a federal holiday

Voting & Elections

Abhiram Garapati - Ballotpedia

Supports making it easier for legal immigrants to obtain citizenship while opposing illegal immigration and the Biden administration's border policies.

Supports maintaining a strong and well-funded military and a ‘peace through strength’ approach

Supports enforcing immigration laws and completing a border wall as well as a stricter vetting of visas

- Supports maintaining a strong and well-funded military and a ‘peace through strength’ approach
- Supports enforcing immigration laws and completing a border wall as well as a stricter vetting of visas

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Twitter

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Instagram

Abhiram Garapati

- Opposes access to abortion and identifies as personally pro-life.
- Opposes government-controlled healthcare and supports market-based private insurance

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

Isaac Brickman

Walter Ley

Opposes President Biden's plans to raise taxes on Americans and job creators.

Opposes Washington's plans to ban and confiscate guns.

David is from Austin, Texas. He attended Westlake High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Doctor enters U.S. House race | Center for Politics | kdhnews.com

David is a board-certified obstetrician and maternal-fetal medicine specialist. He works at Odessa Regional Medical Center. He previously worked at Fetal Care Consultants in Dallas, at Texas Children’s Hospital in Austin, as the founder and president of Austin Perinatal Associates, and as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Seton Medical Center.

David L. Berry’s campaign for U.S. House representing Texas’s 31st congressional district is his first entry into politics.

Supports cutting through red tape and lowering taxes to help small businesses grow.

As of January 22, 2026, David L. Berry’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Opposes abortion and advocates for protecting the unborn.

Supports securing the border, declaring war on cartels, and deporting criminal illegal aliens to enhance safety for Texans.

David L. Berry

Matthew Tomas

Ed Ewald's campaign for Texas US representative, District 31, is his first time running for public office.

Ed Ewald - Ballotpedia

Ed's campaign for U.S. Representative, Texas District 31, is his first run for public office.

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

Ed Ewald

Elvis is the policy coordinator for the Texas Speaker of the House. He works at the Texas House of Representatives, where he advises on policy issues affecting communities across the state. He previously worked as a legislative aide in the office of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and served as a soldier in the U.S. Army, including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Why so many Republicans are vying to unseat U.S. Rep. John Carter

Elvis Lossa's campaign for U.S. House to represent Texas' 31st Congressional District is his first entry into politics.

Supports reducing bureaucratic hurdles and expanding access to capital for local businesses.

Wants to reduce healthcare and prescription costs.

Plans to reduce federal spending and the national debt.

Supports policies that aim to boost economic growth and reduce household costs.

- Supports reducing bureaucratic hurdles and expanding access to capital for local businesses.
- Wants to reduce healthcare and prescription costs.
- Plans to reduce federal spending and the national debt.
- Supports policies that aim to boost economic growth and reduce household costs.

Supports investing in public safety, including first responders, prevention, and mental health.

- Supports investing in public safety, including first responders, prevention, and mental health.

Supports policies that aim to improve economic opportunity without "increasing pressure on working families."

- Supports policies that aim to improve economic opportunity without "increasing pressure on working families."

Supports providing strong funding and modern workforce training for students.

- Supports providing strong funding and modern workforce training for students.

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

Supports implementing term limits for Congress members.

- Supports implementing term limits for Congress members.

Elvis Lossa

Elvis was a policy coordinator for the Texas Speaker of the House. He also worked as a legislative aide in the office of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and served as a soldier in the U.S. Army.

Elvis's campaign for U.S. House to represent Texas' 31st Congressional District is his first entry into politics.

- Wants to "cut red tape and expand access to capital for local businesses."
- Aims to "reduce healthcare and prescription costs."
- Plans to "reduce federal spending and the national debt."
- Supports policies that "strengthen economic growth while reducing pressure on household costs."

- Believes in investing in first responders, prevention, and mental health.

- Wants to prepare students with "strong funding and modern workforce training."

John Carter is from San Antonio, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He is married and has three children.

John R. Carter | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

John Carter has a bachelor 's degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He is married and has three children.

Before entering politics, John served in the United States Army and worked as a businessman. 

Committees Assignments | U.S. Representative John Carter

John served in the United States Army and worked as a businessman. 

John is currently a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Texas's 31st congressional district. He was first elected in 2003 and is currently serving his eighth term.

'ShamWow' guy running for Congress in Texas as a Republican ...

Texas 31st Congressional District Primary Election Results 2024 ...

Wants to "put more money back in Americans’ pockets, lower costs for hardworking families, and keep improving the quality of life here in Central Texas."

- Wants to "put more money back in Americans’ pockets, lower costs for hardworking families, and keep improving the quality of life here in Central Texas."

As of January 22, 2026, John Carter did not have a website or any information online.

Supports strong military and veterans' policies that benefit service members and their families.

Supports military and veterans' policies that "benefit service members and their families."

- Supports military and veterans' policies that "benefit service members and their families."

John Carter

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

Raymond Hamden has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Sam Houston State University. He has a son, Ryder, and they live in Temple, Texas.

Raymond Hamden has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Sam Houston State University. He lives with his son in Temple.

Raymond is a real estate broker, home builder, and small-business owner. He previously worked as a public-school teacher in Killeen Independent School District. 

County GOP holds drawing for spots on the primary ballot | Center ...

Raymond previously ran for Texas State Representative in 2022 but did not win.

Raymond's campaign for U.S. Representative for Texas' 31st District is his first run for public office.

Said, "Fiscal responsibility is key to a strong economy. I will prioritize balanced budgets, reduce wasteful spending, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely."

Supports policies that drive economic growth, support small businesses, and create good-paying jobs.

- Said, "Fiscal responsibility is key to a strong economy. I will prioritize balanced budgets, reduce wasteful spending, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely."
- Supports policies that drive economic growth, support small businesses, and create good-paying jobs.

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

Supports investing in reliable water systems and modern infrastructure to ensure safe communities, strong economies, and a sustainable future.

- Supports investing in reliable water systems and modern infrastructure to ensure safe communities, strong economies, and a sustainable future.

Supports "strong enforcement, modern technology, and fair immigration policies that uphold our nation’s security and values."

Supports a strong military and ensuring proper funding, quality healthcare, and resources for veterans and active-duty members.

- Supports "strong enforcement, modern technology, and fair immigration policies that uphold our nation’s security and values."
- Supports a strong military and ensuring proper funding, quality healthcare, and resources for veterans and active-duty members.

Raymond Hamden

Steven Dowell is from Temple, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree from Baylor University and a graduate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide. He is a Christian.

Steven Dowell (Texas) - Ballotpedia

Steven Dowell is from Temple, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree from Baylor University and a graduate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide. 

Steve is a senior product manager at Amazon. He previously served as an active-duty U.S. Army military police officer and war planner for over eight years. He also holds the rank of major in the U.S. Army Reserve. He is a patented inventor.

Steve currently works as the owner of Dowell Family Holdings. He previously worked as a senior product manager at Amazon. He holds the rank of major in the U.S. Army Reserve and served as a U.S. Army military police officer and war planner for over eight years. He is also a patented inventor. 

Steven's campaign for Texas US Representative, District 31, is his first time running for public office.

Steven's campaign for Texas US Representative for District 31 is his first time running for public office.

Supports reducing costs for farms and ranches, streamlining hiring for seasonal workers, and providing high-speed internet to rural areas.

Supports keeping input costs low for farms and ranches, streamlining hiring for seasonal workers, and providing high-speed internet to rural areas. 

Supports legislation and budgets that incentivize energy producers to strengthen the power grid and expand power generation into renewable energy, battery storage, and reliable base-load capacity.

Supports legislation and budgets that incentivize energy producers to strengthen the power grid and expand power generation into renewable energy, battery storage, and base-load capacity.

Supports increased funding for Customs and Border Patrol, including large-scale truck scanners, counter-drones, and more personnel to secure borders and deter illegal entry.

Supports increased funding for Customs and Border Patrol, including large-scale truck scanners, counter-drones, and more personnel to "secure borders and deter illegal entry."

- Supports keeping input costs low for farms and ranches, streamlining hiring for seasonal workers, and providing high-speed internet to rural areas. 
- Supports legislation and budgets that incentivize energy producers to strengthen the power grid and expand power generation into renewable energy, battery storage, and base-load capacity.
- Supports increased funding for Customs and Border Patrol, including large-scale truck scanners, counter-drones, and more personnel to "secure borders and deter illegal entry."

As of January 22, 2026, Steven "Steve" Dowell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to strengthen local water control and require transparency from water suppliers.

- Plans to strengthen local water control and require transparency from water suppliers.

Supports term limits for Congress members and proposes a maximum age limit for officeholders, aligning with national life expectancy plus two years.

Supports term limits for Congress members and proposes a maximum age limit for officeholders that aligns with national life expectancy plus two years.

- Supports term limits for Congress members and proposes a maximum age limit for officeholders that aligns with national life expectancy plus two years.

Plans on "modernizing veteran affairs scheduling, [replacing] hold lines with AI-driven ticketing," standardizing procedures nationally, and increasing Care in the Community referrals.

- Plans on "modernizing veteran affairs scheduling, [replacing] hold lines with AI-driven ticketing," standardizing procedures nationally, and increasing Care in the Community referrals.

Steven "Steve" Dowell

Valentina Gomez has a bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University and a master's degree in finance from Tulane University. She is a Christian.

Valentina Gomez has a bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University and a master's degree in finance from Tulane University. 

Valentina is a real estate investor, financier, and strategist. She previously swam for the NCAA Division I team at Tulane University.

Valentina currently works as a real estate investor, financier, and strategist.

Valentina previously ran for Missouri Secretary of State but did not win.

Valentina previously ran for Missouri Secretary of State in 2024 but did not win.

For Candidate Valentina Gomez on Issue economy:  
Supports abolishing property taxes.

Supports tax relief for families with two or more children by eliminating their tax obligations.

Plans to eliminate tax obligations for families with two or more children and for soldiers.

For Candidate Valentina Gomez on Issue economy:  
Supports ending all emissions testing.

Supports ending all vehicle emissions testing.

- Wants to "abolish property taxes."
- Plans to eliminate tax obligations for families with two or more children and for soldiers.
- Supports ending all vehicle emissions testing.
- Plans to legalize gambling in Texas.

For Candidate Valentina Gomez on Issue public-safety: Believes that all pedophiles and murderers should face severe consequences.

Supports the death penalty for all violent offenders.

Believes that attempts to regulate guns are ultimately a threat to children's future.

- Supports the death penalty for all violent offenders.
- Opposes gun control.

For Candidate Valentina Gomez on Issue Healthcare:  
Believes abortion is murder.

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

Aims to ensure transparent governance, reform the electoral system for greater integrity, and restore public confidence in elections.

- Aims to ensure transparent governance, reform the electoral system for greater integrity, and restore public confidence in elections.

Supports Israel and advocates for military action against terrorists.

- Supports Israel and advocates for military action against terrorists.

Valentina Gomez

Offer is a media producer and product developer. He works at his own company, where he has been the sole owner of all his commercials, products, and movies. He previously worked as an infomercial host for the ShamWow cleaning product.

Why the 'ShamWow Guy' Is Running for Congress | TIME

'ShamWow guy' is running for Congress in Texas to 'destroy wokeism'

Vince Offer is a media producer and product developer. He previously worked as an infomercial host for the ShamWow cleaning product.

Offer Vince Shlomi's campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas's 31st Congressional District is his first entry into politics.

Offer Shlomi - Ballotpedia

Former 'ShamWow' spokesman files to run for U.S. Congressional ...

The 'ShamWow Guy' is running for Congress | Center for Politics ...

The 'ShamWow guy' is running for Congress in Texas

Vince's campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas's 31st Congressional District is his first entry into politics.

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

Supports video monitoring systems in classrooms from kindergarten to 5th grade to allow parental oversight and prevent indoctrination.

Supports video monitoring systems in classrooms from kindergarten to 5th grade to "keep kids pure and... from being indoctrinated with sexual & woke absurd ideologies."

Believes children 12 and under should be shown content that teaches healthy entertainment, life skills, problem solving, and values involving friends, family, country, and God.

Believes children 12 and under should be shown content that "teaches healthy entertainment, life skills, problem solving, and values involving friends, family, country, and God."

Opposes the normalization of porn, believing it distracts young people from focusing on academics, friends, sports, family, and God.

Opposes the "normalization of porn," believing it distracts young people from focusing on academics, friends, sports, family, and God.

Believes Google and YouTube are "the primary reason children become woke over time" and will put out a bill to force all platforms to be "transparent on how they “code” their algorithms so they don’t destroy our children’s minds."

- Supports video monitoring systems in classrooms from kindergarten to 5th grade to "keep kids pure and... from being indoctrinated with sexual & woke absurd ideologies."
- Believes children 12 and under should be shown content that "teaches healthy entertainment, life skills, problem solving, and values involving friends, family, country, and God."
- Opposes the "normalization of porn," believing it distracts young people from focusing on academics, friends, sports, family, and God.
- Believes Google and YouTube are "the primary reason children become woke over time" and will put out a bill to force all platforms to be "transparent on how they “code” their algorithms so they don’t destroy our children’s minds."

Youtube

Vince Offer

As of January 22, 2026, Offer Vince Shlomi’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Offer Vince Shlomi

- Your U.S. Representative represents the interests of your district in the U.S. House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Texas currently has 36 U.S. Representatives.
- U.S. 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. U.S. Representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

Your representative and federal lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Texas US Representative, District 31, Republican Primary

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