State

State Representative, District 17

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state representative votes on Texas laws and the state budget in the Texas House of Representatives.

All of Bastrop, Caldwell, Milam, Burleson and Lee counties.

Candidates Compare by issue

Mary Elizabeth Klenz

Democratic

Physician (retired)

The gist

Supports pausing groundwater export projects like Vista Ridge.
Supports revising Texas's rule of capture groundwater law.
Supports strengthening the ACA and continuing Medicaid expansion.
Pledges to oppose unwarranted local cooperation with ICE.
Supports more public school funding and teacher pay.
Pledges to repeal HB 2127 and restore local control.
Supports repealing SB 8 and HB 1280 abortion laws.

More about Mary

View sources (1)

Supports pausing groundwater export projects like Vista Ridge.
Policies — Dr. Klenz for Texas
Campaign website · drklenzfortexas.com
“We need to pause future projects of this kind, conduct an assessment of the current state of our aquifer”
Supports revising Texas's rule of capture groundwater law.
Policies — Dr. Klenz for Texas
Campaign website · drklenzfortexas.com
“are outdated and need to be revised in a way that protects our precious water”
Supports strengthening the ACA and continuing Medicaid expansion.
Policies — Dr. Klenz for Texas
Campaign website · drklenzfortexas.com
“I will support strengthening the Affordable Care Act and continuing Medicaid expansion”
Pledges to oppose unwarranted local cooperation with ICE.
Policies — Dr. Klenz for Texas
Campaign website · drklenzfortexas.com
“I will oppose any unwarranted cooperation of local and state law enforcement with federal ICE agents.”
Supports more public school funding and teacher pay.
Policies — Dr. Klenz for Texas
Campaign website · drklenzfortexas.com
“Increase public school funding, with a focus on raising teacher salaries”
Pledges to repeal HB 2127 and restore local control.
Policies — Dr. Klenz for Texas
Campaign website · drklenzfortexas.com
“I will work to repeal HB 2127 and restore genuine local control”
Supports repealing SB 8 and HB 1280 abortion laws.
Policies — Dr. Klenz for Texas
Campaign website · drklenzfortexas.com
“I will work to repeal SB 8 and HB 1280”

Stan Gerdes

RepublicanIncumbent

Consultant

The gist

Authored law on water-loss reporting by city-owned utilities.In office
Authored law requiring lobbyist registration for foreign adversary work.In office
Authored bill requiring voter approval for new toll projects.In office
Authored bill increasing penalties for illegal entry offenses.In office
Authored bill on prohibited acts involving cell-cultured protein.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Stan

View sources (5)

Authored law on water-loss reporting by city-owned utilities.
HB 29, 89th Legislature (R) — bill history
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“Relating to water losses reported by certain municipally owned utilities to the Texas Water Development Board; authorizing administrative penalties.”
Authored law requiring lobbyist registration for foreign adversary work.
HB 119, 89th Legislature (R) — bill history
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“Relating to the registration as a lobbyist of persons who engage in certain lobbying activities on behalf of a foreign adversary and to prohibitions on”
Authored bill requiring voter approval for new toll projects.
HB 1589, 89th Legislature (R) — bill history
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“Relating to requiring voter approval for the construction of a new toll project by a toll project entity.”
Authored bill increasing penalties for illegal entry offenses.
HB 1832, 89th Legislature (R) — bill history
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“Relating to the punishment for certain criminal offenses involving illegal entry into or illegal presence in this state by a person who is an alien”
Authored bill on prohibited acts involving cell-cultured protein.
HB 1431, 89th Legislature (R) — bill history
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“Relating to certain prohibited acts with respect to cell-cultured protein for human consumption.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.