Four new candidates declare in Texas


Ballotpedia tracked four new state-level candidates in Texas between Oct. 30-Nov. 5. This was two more candidates than the prior week. 

Two of those candidates are Democrats and two are Republicans. The four candidates are running for state legislature in 2024.

Details on these candidates are below: 

  • Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (D) is running for Texas House of Representatives District 115. Hernandez said, “[I am] passionate about representing individuals and defending their rights. It is because of [my] strong desire to help people that [I] became a lawyer and now seek[ ] to help more people through public service. … [I] know[ ] we need practical solutions to many challenges, from fully funding public schools, to stopping gun violence, to increasing access to healthcare, ensuring strong public safety and addressing the Fentanyl crisis. [I am] also committed to finding ways for more people to have access to economic opportunity, and protecting homeowners from rising costs.”
  • Jarvis Johnson (D), currently representing Texas House of Representatives District 139, is running for Texas State Senate District 15. Johnson said, “[I have] been a steadfast leader for North Houston since 2005. First elected to serve District 139 in the Texas House of Representatives in 2016, which includes the Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Greater Inwood. [I] ha[ve] championed foster care reforms, affordable housing policy, sickle cell disease care, and supported public education, teachers, and our retirees. … [my] … legislative achievements include establishing a Sickle Cell Taskforce, authorizing the Houston Land Bank in Texas Statute and expanding their ability to provide affordable housing,  and expanding legal representation for foster youth, to name just a few. [I am] running to be your next State Senator because SD 15 needs a leader and fighter to stand up for the 947,818 residents in the district.”
  • Tim Greeson (R) is running for Texas House of Representatives District 85. Greeson said, “I’m your neighbor, Tim Greeson, and I ask to be your next representative of Texas House District 85. Putting Texans First isn’t just a slogan for this campaign… it’s a fundamental belief. As an Aggie and a native Texan, I believe that everything our Texas Legislature does must put you first. That means less spending, lower taxes, smaller government, and more freedom. Sam Houston said to ‘Govern wisely, and as little as possible.’ Elect me, and I will work to do that and put Texans – YOU – first.”
  • Daren Meis (R) is running for Texas House of Representatives District 67. Meis said, “[I am] a seasoned business leader and a former Councilmember for the City of Allen. [My] analytical approach to decision making has produced a long history of making difficult and bold decisions to solve challenging problems. Through transparency, honesty, and integrity, [I am] committed to rebuilding and restoring the lost trust of constituents in Collin County. [I] will uphold our shared common values to move Texas in a better direction and back to leading the country, by example.”

Since the beginning of the year, Ballotpedia has identified 55 candidates for state-level office in Texas. Seven hundred and fifty candidates ran for state-level office in Texas in 2022, while 582 ran in 2020. In 2022, 277 were Democratic, while 384 were Republican. In 2020, 270 were Democratic and 249 were Republican. Nationally, Ballotpedia has tracked 679 Democrats and 828 Republicans running for state-level office in 2023, and 233 Democrats and 302 Republicans running in 2024. 

Additional reading: