Lauren Peña is from Harrisonburg, Virginia. She has a bachelor 27s degree in political science from Southern New Hampshire University. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her partner, Oscar J. Peña III. 

Lauren Peña - Ballotpedia

Lauren B. Peña is originally from Harrisonburg, Virginia. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Southern New Hampshire University. She lives with her partner, Oscar, and six kids in Austin.

LinkedIn

Lauren is the founder and chief executive officer of Peña Legal Advocacy, a faith-based nonprofit legal and policy organization. She also serves as a commissioner on the Austin Community Police Review Commission.

Lauren's campaign for Texas U.S. Representative, District 37, is her first time running for public office.

Lauren's campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Texas District 37 is her first run for public office.

Plans to reduce taxes, increase take-home pay, and enforce a balanced budget.

Said, "I will unleash American energy so families are never forced to choose between groceries and electricity. Energy independence is not an environmental issue. It is a national security issue and a cost-of-living issue."

Plans to expand opportunity by restoring vocational and skills-based training, standing up to unfair trade practices, and ensuring welfare is a bridge to work not a permanent dependency trap.

Said "I will expand opportunity by restoring vocational and skills-based training, standing up to unfair trade practices, and ensuring welfare is a bridge to work not a permanent dependency trap."

Supports the development of new technologies that aim to grow the economy, create opportunity, and protect American workers from exploitation by big tech monopolies and foreign competitors.

Supports increased use of artificial intelligence, saying "New technologies must grow our economy, create opportunity, and protect American workers from exploitation by Big Tech monopolies and foreign competitors."

Supports strict border enforcement to protect workers, communities, and vulnerable citizens.

Supports reducing healthcare costs by increasing competition, requiring transparent pricing, and expanding Health Savings Accounts.

Supports reducing healthcare costs by increasing competition, requiring transparent hospital pricing, and expanding Health Savings Accounts.

- Plans to reduce taxes, increase take-home pay, and enforce a balanced budget.
- Said, "I will unleash American energy so families are never forced to choose between groceries and electricity. Energy independence is not an environmental issue. It is a national security issue and a cost-of-living issue."
- Said "I will expand opportunity by restoring vocational and skills-based training, standing up to unfair trade practices, and ensuring welfare is a bridge to work not a permanent dependency trap."
- Supports increased use of artificial intelligence, saying "New technologies must grow our economy, create opportunity, and protect American workers from exploitation by Big Tech monopolies and foreign competitors."
- Supports strict border enforcement to protect workers, communities, and vulnerable citizens.
- Supports reducing healthcare costs by increasing competition, requiring transparent hospital pricing, and expanding Health Savings Accounts.

Economy

Opposes federal targeting of citizens and supports equal protection under the law, regardless of politics or ideology.

Said, "I will defend parental rights... and safeguard children from exploitation, coercion, and abuse."

Believes sexual violence accountability often falls short post-conviction.

Plans to introduce the Sex Offender Deterrence Act to end the automatic granting of protective custody to convicted sex offenders.

Plans to introduce the Safeguarding Against Forced Exploitation in Nightlife Through Hiring Standards (SAFE NIGHTS Act) to reclassify adult entertainment venue (bars, clubs) independent contractors as employees to tackle human trafficking.

- Opposes federal targeting of citizens and supports equal protection under the law, regardless of politics or ideology.
- Said, "I will defend parental rights... and safeguard children from exploitation, coercion, and abuse."
- Plans to introduce the Sex Offender Deterrence Act to end the automatic granting of protective custody to convicted sex offenders.
- Plans to introduce the Safeguarding Against Forced Exploitation in Nightlife Through Hiring Standards (SAFE NIGHTS Act) to reclassify adult entertainment venue (bars, clubs) independent contractors as employees to tackle human trafficking.

Public Safety

Opposes government mandates on personal medical decisions.

- Opposes government mandates on personal medical decisions.

Healthcare

As of January 22, 2026, Lauren B. Peña’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

Energy & the Environment

Voting & Elections

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Lauren B. Peña

Opposes federal targeting of citizens, saying, "I will ensure equal protection under the law, not selective enforcement based on politics or ideology."

Linkedin

- 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.