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Anna Bender - 2026 candidate for US Senate

Anna Bender's campaign for Texas US Senator is her first entry into politics.

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Anna's campaign for the U.S. Senate is her first run for public office.

Plans to reduce regulations for businesses to foster growth and increase job opportunities.

Supports tax credits and incentives for employers providing work-life balance, flexible schedules, and health care for part-time and full-time employees.

Supports tax credits for long-term employed, income-improving, trade school or university attendees, and those balancing work with family care.

Supports tax credits for people who are employed long-term or improve their income, trade school or university attendees, and those balancing work with family care.

- Plans to reduce regulations for businesses to foster growth and increase job opportunities.
- Supports tax credits and incentives for employers providing work-life balance, flexible schedules, and health care for part-time and full-time employees.
- Supports tax credits for people who are employed long-term or improve their income, trade school or university attendees, and those balancing work with family care.

Economy

Supports strong border security, likening it to home protection, and advocates for Second Amendment rights for self-defense.

- Supports strong border security, likening it to home protection, and advocates for Second Amendment rights for self-defense.

Public Safety

Supports mandating employers provide health insurance, with tax breaks for those who do.

- Supports mandating employers provide health insurance, with tax breaks for those who do.

Healthcare

Supports state-level control of education, with the federal government providing incentives and tax breaks for private education, specialized training, and tuition reimbursement.

- Supports state-level control of education, with the federal government providing incentives and tax breaks for private education, specialized training, and tuition reimbursement.

Education

Supports providing direct aid to Texas families affected by extreme weather, including funding for temporary shelter and basic necessities.

- Supports providing direct aid to Texas families affected by extreme weather, including funding for temporary shelter and basic necessities.

Energy & the Environment

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

Voting & Elections

Supports strict immigration policies, including armed border patrols and a wall to prevent illegal crossings.

Supports strict immigration policies, including armed border patrols and a wall to prevent undocumented immigrant crossings.

Opposes foreign aid, believing nations should address their own issues and U.S. funds should not be used for external support.

- Supports strict immigration policies, including armed border patrols and a wall to prevent undocumented immigrant crossings.
- Opposes foreign aid, believing nations should address their own issues and U.S. funds should not be used for external support.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Anna Bender

- Plans to reduce regulations for businesses to foster growth and increase job opportunities.
- Supports tax credits and incentives for employers providing work-life balance, flexible schedules, and health care for part-time and full-time employees.
- Supports tax credits for long-term employed, income-improving, trade school or university attendees, and those balancing work with family care.
- Supports mandating employers provide health insurance, with tax breaks for those who do.
- Supports providing direct financial assistance to Texas families affected by extreme weather, including funding for temporary shelter and basic necessities.

- Supports mandating employers to provide health insurance for employees, with tax breaks and incentives for compliance.

- Supports strict immigration policies, including armed border patrols and a wall to prevent illegal crossings.
- Opposes foreign aid, believing nations should address their own issues and U.S. funds should not be used for external support.

- Supports strict immigration policies, including armed border patrols and a wall to prevent illegal crossings.

Alejandra Gracias

Walter Ley

Supports providing direct financial assistance to Texas families affected by extreme weather, including funding for temporary shelter and basic necessities.

Supports mandating employers to provide health insurance for employees, with tax breaks and incentives for compliance.

Opposes foreign aid, believing the U.S. should not provide financial support to other governments.

Ethics & Conduct

Gulrez is from Lubbock, Texas. He has a bachelor’s degree from Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College at Panjab University. He has a master’s degree in business administration from the Forbes School of Business at Ashford University.

Gulrez Khan - Ballotpedia

Gulrez is from India. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College at Panjab University and a master’s degree in human resources management from the Forbes School of Business at Ashford University. Gulrez lives in Lubbock.

Four candidates lay out their positions at Saturday Meet & Greet

Gulrez is the co-owner and chief development officer of American Star Home Health and Hospice Care.

Gulrez previously ran for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Texas District 32 in 2024 and the mayor of Lubbock in 2022, but did not win.

Supports keeping business tax rates at the 2017 level to promote business growth and economic prosperity.

Supported keeping business tax rates at the 2017 level to promote business growth and economic prosperity.

For Candidate Gulrez "Gus" Khan on Issue economy: Plans to take legislative steps to control record inflation affecting citizens.

Planned to take legislative steps to control inflation.

Supports investment in workforce and training for healthcare workers in rural Texas.

- Supported keeping business tax rates at the 2017 level to promote business growth and economic prosperity.
- Planned to take legislative steps to control inflation.
- Supports investment in workforce and training for healthcare workers in rural Texas.

Supports hiring more Border Patrol agents to enhance public safety and combat human and child trafficking.

Supported hiring more Border Patrol agents to enhance public safety and combat human and child trafficking.

Supported increasing pay for law enforcement and first responders.

- Supported hiring more Border Patrol agents to enhance public safety and combat human and child trafficking.
- Supported increasing pay for law enforcement and first responders.

Gulrez (Gus) Khan declares run for Lubbock Mayor in 2022

Opposes abortion access and advocates for the protection of the unborn.

Opposes abortion access and advocates for the protection of the unborn, having supported the removal of Planned Parenthood in Lubbock.

Plans to develop legislature to keep rural hospitals from shutting down and reopen those that already have.

- Opposes abortion access and advocates for the protection of the unborn, having supported the removal of Planned Parenthood in Lubbock.
- Plans to develop legislature to keep rural hospitals from shutting down and reopen those that already have.

As of January 22, 2026, Gulrez "Gus" Khan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports imposing term limits for Congress members.

Supports imposing term limits for Congress members for a maximum of 12 years.

- Supports imposing term limits for Congress members for a maximum of 12 years.

Believes in creating a strong and effective foreign policy to restore respect for the U.S. in the international arena.

Supports creating a "strong and effective" foreign policy to restore "lost respect" for the U.S. in the international arena.

- Supports creating a "strong and effective" foreign policy to restore "lost respect" for the U.S. in the international arena.

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Gulrez "Gus" Khan

John Cornyn

John Cornyn is originally from San Antonio. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Trinity University, a master's degree in law from the University of Virginia, and a law degree from St. Mary University. He lives with his wife, Sandy, and has two daughters.

John is currently serving his fourth term as a U.S. senator from Texas. He was first elected to the Senate in 2002. Before that, he served as the Texas attorney general from 1999 to 2002 and as an elected justice on the Texas Supreme Court from 1991 to 1997.

Cornyn, John

John currently serves as a U.S. senator from Texas. He was first elected in 2002 and is serving his fourth term. He previously served as Texas attorney general from 1999 to 2002, a Texas Supreme Court justice from 1991 to 1997, and a Bexar County District Court judge from 1984 to 1990.

Supports increasing oil and natural gas production.

Supports a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. constitution.

- Supports increasing oil and natural gas production.
- Supports a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. constitution.
- Supports reduced tax rates.

As senator introduced S.3366, "to increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves."

As senator, "[i]ntroduced legislation to reauthorize the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program, which is a nationwide law enforcement program that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime."

As senator, "[i]ntroduced the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, now law, which is a targeted bill to address the specific problems that have led to recent mass shootings, including a need for additional mental health and school safety resources."

As senator, introduced legislation "to help ensure federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)."

As senator, introduced legislation to "reauthorize critical grants for mental health courts, crisis intervention teams, and other programs."

- Opposes gun control.
- As senator introduced S.3366, "to increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves."
- As senator, "[i]ntroduced legislation to reauthorize the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program, which is a nationwide law enforcement program that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime."
- As senator, "[i]ntroduced the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, now law, which is a targeted bill to address the specific problems that have led to recent mass shootings, including a need for additional mental health and school safety resources."
- As senator, introduced legislation "to help ensure federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)."
- As senator, introduced legislation to "reauthorize critical grants for mental health courts, crisis intervention teams, and other programs."

- Opposes access to abortion.
- Opposes the Affordable Care Act.

Believes higher education, including associate's degrees, workforce certifications, and bachelor's degrees, provides pathways to economic mobility and success.

Advocates for state and local school district autonomy to design innovative educational programs tailored to individual student needs, reducing federal bureaucracy and regulations.

Has supported expanding financial aid for low-income students and increasing the number of high-quality teachers and principals.

Advocates for market-based reforms to federal student loan interest rates to reduce costs for students and families.

- Believes higher education, including associate's degrees, workforce certifications, and bachelor's degrees, provides pathways to economic mobility and success.
- Advocates for state and local school district autonomy to design innovative educational programs tailored to individual student needs, reducing federal bureaucracy and regulations.
- Has supported expanding financial aid for low-income students and increasing the number of high-quality teachers and principals.
- Advocates for market-based reforms to federal student loan interest rates to reduce costs for students and families.

Said he "[p]ushed back on unnecessary EPA regulations that affect production and agriculture through the Clean Air and Water Act."

Said he "supports environmental policies that ensure economic viability while protecting public health. However, he opposes efforts by federal agencies to expand their regulatory reach beyond their legal authority."

- Said he "[p]ushed back on unnecessary EPA regulations that affect production and agriculture through the Clean Air and Water Act."
- Said he "supports environmental policies that ensure economic viability while protecting public health. However, he opposes efforts by federal agencies to expand their regulatory reach beyond their legal authority."

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

Opposes policies that prohibit local police and government officials from enforcing federal immigration laws.

Supports reducing undocumented immigration.

Said he "has been a leader in ensuring our allies—especially Israel—have the support they need."

Supports providing members of the military "the best training, equipment, and education, and that our veterans receive the highest-quality health care, services, and benefits."

- Opposes policies that prohibit local police and government officials from enforcing federal immigration laws.
- Supports reducing undocumented immigration.
- Said he "has been a leader in ensuring our allies—especially Israel—have the support they need."
- Supports providing members of the military "the best training, equipment, and education, and that our veterans receive the highest-quality health care, services, and benefits."

- Said, "his efforts in the Senate are focused on providing states and local school districts the freedom to design innovative educational programs that fit the needs of each child. He believes higher education provides individuals with opportunities for success and economic mobility, whether that means an associate’s degree, a workforce certification, or a bachelor’s degree."

Supports bipartisan efforts for gun safety, including the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, but faces skepticism from some MAGA Republican voters.

John O. Adefope 2026 candidate

John O. Adefope's campaign for Texas U.S. senator is his first time running for public office.

John Adefope - Ballotpedia

John's campaign for U.S. Senator for Texas is his first run for public office.

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

John O. Adefope

Ken Paxton is from Minot, North Dakota. He has a bachelor 27s degree in psychology from Baylor University, a master 27s degree in business administration from Baylor University, and a law degree from the University of Virginia. He and his wife, Angela, have four children and are members of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano.

Ken Paxton - National Association of Attorneys General

Ken Paxton - Ballotpedia

Ken Paxton is originally from an U.S. Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in business administration from Baylor University, along with a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He lives in McKinney, has four kids, and attends Prestonwood Baptist Church.

Ken is the Attorney General of Texas. He previously served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013 and in the Texas State Senate from 2013 to 2015. Before taking public office, he worked as an attorney, management consultant, and in-house legal counsel for J.C. Penney Company, Inc. 

Before taking elected office, Ken was the owner of Ken Paxton Attorney at Law. He also previously worked as an attorney for Strasburger & Price and as a management consultant for a law firm.

Ken is currently the attorney general of Texas. He was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022. He was previously a member of the Texas State Senate from 2013 to 2015 and a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013.

Ken is currently the Texas attorney general. He was first elected in 2014 and is in his third term. He was previously a member of the Texas State Senate. He served one term from 2013 to 2015. He was also previously a member of the Texas House of Representatives. He served five terms from 2003 to 2013.

Attorney General Ken Paxton Detains Fifty Illegal Aliens in Raids ...

Opposes "burdensome" government regulations on businesses.

As Texas Attorney General, demanded Costco "fully repeal its discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) practices."

Supports cutting taxes and reducing "wasteful" government spending.

- Opposes "burdensome" government regulations on businesses.
- As Texas Attorney General, demanded Costco "fully repeal its discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) practices."
- Supports cutting taxes and reducing "wasteful" government spending.

John Cornyn enters critical window to change trajectory of Texas ...

As Texas Attorney General, created a division focused on investigating and stopping human trafficking and organized crime.

- Opposes gun control.
- As Texas Attorney General, created a division focused on investigating and stopping human trafficking and organized crime.

As Texas Attorney General, sued Pfizer for "misleading the public on the COVID-19 vaccine."

As Texas Attorney General, supported holding companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis.

- Opposes abortion access.
- As Texas Attorney General, sued Pfizer for "misleading the public on the COVID-19 vaccine."
- As Texas Attorney General, supported holding companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis.

Lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that could end ...

Supports all Texas schools adopting prayer and bible reading in class in accordance with Senate Bill 11.

As Texas Attorney General, filed a lawsuit that would remove federal protections for special needs students who have gender dysphoria.

Opposes allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports based on their gender identity and "woke indoctrination in our classrooms."

- Supports all Texas schools adopting prayer and bible reading in class in accordance with Senate Bill 11.
- As Texas Attorney General, filed a lawsuit that would remove federal protections for special needs students who have gender dysphoria.
- Opposes allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports based on their gender identity and "woke indoctrination in our classrooms."

As Texas Attorney General, led efforts to block the federal “Waters of the United States” rule, which expanded federal control over streams and wetlands, and the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to limit carbon emissions from power plants.

- As Texas Attorney General, led efforts to block the federal “Waters of the United States” rule, which expanded federal control over streams and wetlands, and the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to limit carbon emissions from power plants.

As an attorney, he co-sponsored and defended Texas’ Voter ID bill.

As a member of the Texas Legislature, co-sponsored and defended Texas’s Voter ID law, which requires voters to present specific forms of government-issued photo identification to vote.

As Texas Attorney General, supported a legal challenge to the 2020 presidential election results in four states.

As Texas Attorney General, opposed the Biden administration sending federal election monitors to Texas.

- As a member of the Texas Legislature, co-sponsored and defended Texas’s Voter ID law, which requires voters to present specific forms of government-issued photo identification to vote.
- As Texas Attorney General, supported a legal challenge to the 2020 presidential election results in four states.
- As Texas Attorney General, opposed the Biden administration sending federal election monitors to Texas.

Supports deportation of undocumented immigrants.

Supports deporting undocumented immigrants. 

Plans to "advance an America First foreign policy that promotes peace through strength, prioritizes our nation’s interests first and foremost, and ensures the safety of American citizens."

- Supports deporting undocumented immigrants. 
- Plans to "advance an America First foreign policy that promotes peace through strength, prioritizes our nation’s interests first and foremost, and ensures the safety of American citizens."

Texas Senate acquits state Attorney General Ken Paxton in impeachment trial

The State Bar of Texas, which regulates law licenses in Texas, sued Paxton for attempting to falsely overturn the 2020 presidential election. The charges were ultimately dismissed by the Texas Supreme Court in 2025.

Paxton was previously accused of promoting investments in a technology company without disclosing that he was being paid. The charges were later dropped after he agreed to pay restitution, complete community service, and take ethics courses, without admitting wrongdoing.

During his time as attorney general, Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives over allegations that he used his office to benefit a political donor. He was later acquitted by the Texas Senate.

- The State Bar of Texas, which regulates law licenses in Texas, sued Paxton for attempting to falsely overturn the 2020 presidential election. The charges were ultimately dismissed by the Texas Supreme Court in 2025.
- Paxton was previously accused of promoting investments in a technology company without disclosing that he was being paid. The charges were later dropped after he agreed to pay restitution, complete community service, and take ethics courses, without admitting wrongdoing.
- During his time as attorney general, Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives over allegations that he used his office to benefit a political donor. He was later acquitted by the Texas Senate.

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Ken Paxton

Ken was the owner of Ken Paxton Attorney at Law. He also previously worked as an attorney for Strasburger & Price and as a management consultant for a law firm.

Ken is currently the Texas Attorney General. He was first elected in 2014 and is in his third term. He was previously a member of the Texas State Senate. He served one term from 2013 to 2015. He was also previously a member of the Texas House of Representatives. He served five terms from 2003 to 2013.

- Opposes "burdensome" government regulations on businesses.
- As Texas Attorney General, helped make the Child Support Division "the most successful and cost-effective program in the nation."
- As Texas Attorney General, demanded Costco "fully repeal its discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) practices."

- Opposes gun control.
- As Texas Attorney General, formed the Human Trafficking and Transnational/Organized Crime Division to combat Texas human trafficking.

- Opposes the "the radical transgender movement that’s desperate to put men in girls’ sports and woke indoctrination in our classrooms. "
- Opposes abortion access.
- As Texas Attorney General, has "sued Pfizer for misleading the public on the COVID-19 vaccine and led national efforts to hold companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis, bringing billions in settlement dollars home to Texas."

- As Texas Attorney General, supported schools bringing prayer back into the classroom after Texas Senate Bill 11 was enacted, recommending the Lord's Prayer.
- As Texas Attorney General, filed a lawsuit that would remove federal protections for special needs students that have gender dysphoria.

- As Texas Attorney General, led the charge on stopping the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Waters of the United States" rule and the Clean Power Plan from becoming law.
- As Texas Attorney General, sent warnings to "shut down scammers seeking to take advantage of those impacted by Texas’s tragic floods."

- As a member of the Texas Congress, co-sponsored and defended Texas’ Voter ID bill.
- As Texas Attorney General, submitted unsuccessful legal challenge to Trump's 2020 presidential defeat in four states.
- As Texas Attorney General, supported closing of "a potential loophole that could have allowed noncitizens to attempt to vote."
- As Texas Attorney General, sued the Biden-Harris Administration and U.S. Department of Justice "for dispatching federal agents to “monitor” Texas elections without any legal authority and in violation of State law," despite it being a common practice.

- Plans to "champion President Trump’s legislative priorities, including cutting taxes, securing the border and deporting illegal aliens, ending the weaponization of government, and draining the Swamp."
- Plans to "advance an America First foreign policy that promotes peace through strength, prioritizes our nation’s interests first and foremost, and ensures the safety of American citizens."

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

Sara Canady is from San Antonio, Texas. She has an associate's degree from Central Texas College and a bachelor's degree from Dallas Baptist University. She lives in Floresville, Texas.

Sara Canady - Ballotpedia

Retired Texas Judge Sara Canady Launches U.S. Senate Bid “Time ...

Sara Canady is from San Antonio, Texas. She earned an associate's degree in English language and literature from Central Texas College and a bachelor's degree in English/language arts teacher education from Dallas Baptist University. She lives in Floresville, Texas.

Sara is a judge and a justice of the peace. She also has experience as a teacher, small business owner, and journalist. 

Sara is retired. She previously worked as a teacher, small business owner, and journalist. 

Wilson County, Texas

Parent Empowerment Tour: Floresville - Texas Public Policy ...

Sara previously served as a justice of the peace judge for Precinct 2 in Wilson County, Texas. She served from 2011 to 2022. Sara previously ran for U.S. Congress in District 15 in Texas, but did not win.

Supports reciprocal tariffs on goods and services.

Said, "A strong economy at home ensures a strong military both at home and abroad."

Said "For 40 years we've watched politicians ship Texas jobs and factories overseas. Enough. The disruptions in agriculture as well as industry and the energy sector by previous administrations is over!"

- Supports reciprocal tariffs on goods and services.
- Said, "A strong economy at home ensures a strong military both at home and abroad."
- Said "For 40 years we've watched politicians ship Texas jobs and factories overseas. Enough. The disruptions in agriculture as well as industry and the energy sector by previous administrations is over!"

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

Sara Canady

Sara Canady is from San Antonio, Texas. She earned an associate's degree in english language and literature from Central Texas College and a bachelor's degree in english/language arts teacher education from Dallas Baptist University. She lives in Floresville, Texas.

Sara previously served as a Justice of the Peace judge for Precinct 2 in Wilson County, Texas. She served from 2011 to 2022.

Buket Urgen

Voted in support of term limits for elected officials.

Virgil Bierschwale is from Fredericksburg, Texas. He attended Navy Colleges, Andover College, University of Phoenix, and the American College of Technology. 

Virgil Bierschwale - Ballotpedia

Virgil Bierschwale is from Fredericksburg. He attended Navy Colleges, Andover College, the University of Phoenix, and the American College of Technology. 

Virgil served in the United States Navy from 1976 to 1982. He has experience in software development and is a licensed realtor. 

Virgil worked as a software developer and as a realtor. He served in the U.S. Navy for six years.

Virgil previously ran for U.S. Senate in 2020 but did not win.

Supports conservative values and policies aimed at strengthening the economy and improving healthcare access.

Supports policies aimed at strengthening the economy and improving healthcare access.

Supports reduced taxes and government regulations.

- Supports policies aimed at strengthening the economy and improving healthcare access.
- Supports reduced taxes and government regulations.
- Supports increasing oil and natural gas production.

Plans to enhance security measures to protect citizens.

- Plans to enhance security measures to protect citizens.
- Opposes gun control.

- Supports improved healthcare access.
- Opposes access to abortion.

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

- Opposes education on race and racism.
- Supports school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

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

Supports laws requiring voters to show identification at the polls.

Opposes the gathering and submitting of completed ballots by third parties.

- Supports laws requiring voters to show identification at the polls.
- Opposes the gathering and submitting of completed ballots by third parties.

Virgil John Bierschwale

- The US Senator is a member of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. There are a total of 100 US Senators. Texas, like every other US state, has two senators. 
- US Senators have a great deal of power when it comes to bringing the concerns of their state to the national arena. US Senators can author, sponsor, amend, debate, and vote on bills that may become national law. 
- US Senators have an important role in deciding who runs the federal government. They hold confirmation hearings for most presidential appointees, including new Supreme Court Justices and Presidential Cabinet Members.
- Senators can be appointed to committees that focus on particular issues. Examples include the Appropriations Committee, which handles budget planning, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a diplomatic body that welcomes foreign delegations.
- Senators are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections. US Senators are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

One of two federal lawmakers representing Texas in the US Senate

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