State

State Representative, 57th District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 3
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.

Denton County: Corinth, DISH, Hickory Creek, Lake Dallas, Lakewood Village, Oak Point, Ponder and Shady Shores; most of Hackberry and Little Elm; part of Argyle, Copper Canyon, Cross Roads, Denton, Highland Village, New Fairview and Northlake.

Candidates Compare by issue

Ray Stith

Democratic

Human resources leader

The gist

Supports fully funding public education.
Supports high-speed internet in every neighborhood.
Supports expanding job training and apprenticeships.
Supports faster benefits and mental health services for veterans.

More about Ray

View sources (1)

Supports fully funding public education.
Issues | Ray Stith For Texas
Campaign website · raystithfortx57.com
“Fully fund public education”
Supports high-speed internet in every neighborhood.
Issues | Ray Stith For Texas
Campaign website · raystithfortx57.com
“High-speed internet access across every neighborhood”
Supports expanding job training and apprenticeships.
Issues | Ray Stith For Texas
Campaign website · raystithfortx57.com
“Expand job training and apprenticeships”
Supports faster benefits and mental health services for veterans.
Issues | Ray Stith For Texas
Campaign website · raystithfortx57.com
“Faster access to state and federal benefits … Mental health services and support”

Darren Hamilton

Libertarian

Data architect

The gist

Supports charter schools and homeschooling but opposes vouchers.
Supports a simpler tax code with lower rates.
Pledges a balanced budget and spending cuts.
Supports criminal justice reform focused on rehabilitation.
Supports stronger digital privacy protections.

More about Darren

View sources (1)

Supports charter schools and homeschooling but opposes vouchers.
Meet Darren — Hamilton for Texas
Campaign website · hamiltonfortexas.com
“expanding access to charter schools or supporting homeschooling, but does not extend to providing educational vouchers”
Supports a simpler tax code with lower rates.
Meet Darren — Hamilton for Texas
Campaign website · hamiltonfortexas.com
“By simplifying the tax code and lowering tax rates”
Pledges a balanced budget and spending cuts.
Meet Darren — Hamilton for Texas
Campaign website · hamiltonfortexas.com
“I aim to cut unnecessary spending and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively.”
Supports criminal justice reform focused on rehabilitation.
Meet Darren — Hamilton for Texas
Campaign website · hamiltonfortexas.com
“advocating for criminal justice reforms that emphasize rehabilitation over punishment”
Supports stronger digital privacy protections.
Meet Darren — Hamilton for Texas
Campaign website · hamiltonfortexas.com
“safeguarding privacy rights in an increasingly digital world”

Richard Hayes

RepublicanIncumbent

State representative; attorney

The gist

Supports continued property tax relief.
Supports lowering insurance rates and health-care costs.
Supports expanding road, power and water capacity for growth.
Supports sensible student testing and school safety.
Authored a bill against censorship on social media platforms.In office

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

More about Richard

View sources (3)

Supports continued property tax relief.
Richard Hayes For State Representative
Campaign website · hayesforhouse57.com
“Continuing active support of property tax relief for property owners.”
Supports lowering insurance rates and health-care costs.
Priorities - Hayes for State Representative
Campaign website · hayesforhouse57.com
“Effective property tax reform, affordable insurance rates, and reduced health-care costs, are priorities.”
Supports expanding road, power and water capacity for growth.
Richard Hayes For State Representative
Campaign website · hayesforhouse57.com
“Ensuring roads, power, and water have the capacity to meet continuing growth.”
Supports sensible student testing and school safety.
Priorities - Hayes for State Representative
Campaign website · hayesforhouse57.com
“We must buttress classroom teachers, require sensible testing, and ensure children are safe.”
Authored a bill against censorship on social media platforms.
Bills authored by Rep. Richard Hayes, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“censorship of or certain other interference with digital expression, including expression on social media platforms”

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.