State

State Representative, 59th District

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 Coryell, Erath, Hamilton and Hood counties.

Candidates Compare by issue

Andrew Turner

Democratic

Air National Guard veteran

The gist

Supports expanding Medicaid to keep emergency rooms open.
Proposes a neonatal intensive care unit in every nonprofit hospital.
Opposes diverting public school funds to private schools.
Proposes Texas-made material quotas for state-funded infrastructure.
Proposes a constitutional amendment limiting eminent domain on family land.
Proposes tax exemptions for retired teachers, first responders and veterans.

More about Andrew

View sources (3)

Supports expanding Medicaid to keep emergency rooms open.
Protecting Texas Families — Andrew Turner
Campaign website · turnerforstatehouse.com
“Expand Medicaid and Medicare to bring federal dollars back to Texas and keep our emergency rooms open.”
Proposes a neonatal intensive care unit in every nonprofit hospital.
Protecting Texas Families — Andrew Turner
Campaign website · turnerforstatehouse.com
“By 2030, every nonprofit hospital in Texas will have at least a Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”
Opposes diverting public school funds to private schools.
Investing in Our Children — Andrew Turner
Campaign website · turnerforstatehouse.com
“I will fight any attempt to divert public funds from our rural schools.”
Proposes Texas-made material quotas for state-funded infrastructure.
Building Strong Communities — Andrew Turner
Campaign website · turnerforstatehouse.com
“State-funded infrastructure must use 50% Texas-made materials, 30% American-made, and 20% or less foreign-made.”
Proposes a constitutional amendment limiting eminent domain on family land.
Building Strong Communities — Andrew Turner
Campaign website · turnerforstatehouse.com
“Constitutional amendment to protect generational land from unfair eminent domain seizures.”
Proposes tax exemptions for retired teachers, first responders and veterans.
Building Strong Communities — Andrew Turner
Campaign website · turnerforstatehouse.com
“create property tax exemptions for retired first responders, teachers, and veterans while eliminating exemptions for for-profit corporations”

Shelby Slawson

RepublicanIncumbent

State representative; attorney

The gist

Sponsored the Texas Heartbeat Act abortion ban in the House.
Authored a bill requiring drug tests for some TANF applicants.In office
Authored a bill creating a Tarleton State medical school.In office
Authored a bill letting uniformed school marshals openly carry handguns.In office
Authored a bill on lawsuit deadlines over minors' gender-transition care.In office

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

More about Shelby

View sources (2)

Sponsored the Texas Heartbeat Act abortion ban in the House.
State Rep Shelby Slawson
Campaign website · shelbyslawson.com
“she carried the historic Texas Heartbeat Act (SB 8) in the House”
Authored a bill requiring drug tests for some TANF applicants.
Bills authored by Rep. Shelby Slawson, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“Relating to the drug testing of certain persons seeking benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.”
Authored a bill creating a Tarleton State medical school.
Bills authored by Rep. Shelby Slawson, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“Relating to the creation of the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.”
Authored a bill letting uniformed school marshals openly carry handguns.
Bills authored by Rep. Shelby Slawson, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“Relating to the open carrying of a handgun by a uniformed school marshal.”
Authored a bill on lawsuit deadlines over minors' gender-transition care.
Bills authored by Rep. Shelby Slawson, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“the statute of limitations on a health care liability claim involving certain gender modification drugs provided to and procedures performed on a minor”

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.