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State Representative, District 50

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.

Part of Travis County. Open seat: incumbent James Talarico is not on the general-election ballot.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Samantha Lopez-Resendez

Democratic

Senior advisor

The gist

  • Supports indexing the school basic allotment to inflation.
  • Supports protecting reproductive freedom and health access.
  • Supports housing affordability for essential workers.
  • Supports a stronger, more resilient energy grid.
  • Supports restoring in-state tuition for dreamer students.
More about Samantha
View sources (1)

  1. Supports indexing the school basic allotment to inflation.

    Issues — Samantha Lopez-Resendez for Texas

    Campaign website · samanthafortexas.com

    “increase and index the Basic Allotment to inflation”

  2. Supports protecting reproductive freedom and health access.

    Issues — Samantha Lopez-Resendez for Texas

    Campaign website · samanthafortexas.com

    “protect reproductive freedom”

  3. Supports housing affordability for essential workers.

    Issues — Samantha Lopez-Resendez for Texas

    Campaign website · samanthafortexas.com

    “smart housing solutions that prioritize affordability for essential workers”

  4. Supports a stronger, more resilient energy grid.

    Issues — Samantha Lopez-Resendez for Texas

    Campaign website · samanthafortexas.com

    “She will fight for a stronger grid, investments in energy resilience”

  5. Supports restoring in-state tuition for dreamer students.

    Issues — Samantha Lopez-Resendez for Texas

    Campaign website · samanthafortexas.com

    “She will work to reestablish an in-state tuition program for first generation and dreamer students.”

Howard Olsen

Republican

Retired

The gist

  • Pledges support for firefighters, paramedics and 911 operators.
  • Supports help for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
  • Supports more resources for teachers in overcrowded classrooms.
More about Howard
View sources (1)

  1. Pledges support for firefighters, paramedics and 911 operators.

    Howard Olsen for HD50

    Campaign website · howardolsen4texas.com

    “I stand for the paramedic and the 911 operator”

  2. Supports help for veterans transitioning to civilian life.

    Howard Olsen for HD50

    Campaign website · howardolsen4texas.com

    “We must ensure they never feel alone in their transition home.”

  3. Supports more resources for teachers in overcrowded classrooms.

    Howard Olsen for HD50

    Campaign website · howardolsen4texas.com

    “I stand for the teachers in overcrowded classrooms”

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; 6 issues covered in this race.