State

State Representative, 80th 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 Atascosa, Dimmit, Frio, Uvalde and Zavala counties. Webb County: El Cenizo and Rio Bravo; part of Laredo.

Candidates Compare by issue

Cecilia Castellano

Democratic

Construction company president

The gist

Opposes school vouchers; supports higher teacher pay.
Supports Medicaid expansion for rural Texans.
Supported the bipartisan property tax relief amendment.
Opposes state preemption that limits local businesses.
Supports regional funding for broadband, water and roads.

More about Cecilia

View sources (1)

Opposes school vouchers; supports higher teacher pay.
Cecilia Castellano for Texas House District 80
Campaign website · cecilia4texas.com
“vowing to reject vouchers that undermine public education … She will strive to increase teacher pay and student allotment for all school districts.”
Supports Medicaid expansion for rural Texans.
Cecilia Castellano for Texas House District 80
Campaign website · cecilia4texas.com
“Cecilia Castellano advocates for Medicaid expansion”
Supported the bipartisan property tax relief amendment.
Cecilia Castellano for Texas House District 80
Campaign website · cecilia4texas.com
“supports the bipartisan tax relief bill passed by the Texas Legislature”
Opposes state preemption that limits local businesses.
Cecilia Castellano for Texas House District 80
Campaign website · cecilia4texas.com
“state power grabs that restrict the growth of our local businesses”
Supports regional funding for broadband, water and roads.
Cecilia Castellano for Texas House District 80
Campaign website · cecilia4texas.com
“fair share of funding for broadband development, water infrastructure”

Don McLaughlin

RepublicanIncumbent

State representative; business owner

The gist

Supports bringing basic water infrastructure to rural communities.
Supports limits on property appraisal growth.
Supports ending the STAAR test and teaching life skills.
Secured $12.5 million for a Uvalde behavioral health campus.
Supported banning foreign adversaries from buying Texas land.
Authored the 2025 Uvalde Strong Act on school shooter response.In office

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

More about Don

View sources (3)

Supports bringing basic water infrastructure to rural communities.
Issues — Don for Texas
Campaign website · donfortexas.com
“Don is fighting to bring basic water infrastructure to these communities”
Supports limits on property appraisal growth.
Issues — Don for Texas
Campaign website · donfortexas.com
“Don is still fighting to rein in runaway appraisals”
Supports ending the STAAR test and teaching life skills.
Issues — Don for Texas
Campaign website · donfortexas.com
“The Texas Legislature came close to eliminating the STAAR test … less teaching to a test, more focus on life skills”
Secured $12.5 million for a Uvalde behavioral health campus.
Track Record — Don for Texas
Campaign website · donfortexas.com
“secure $12.5 million in state funding to launch the Uvalde Behavioral Health Campus”
Supported banning foreign adversaries from buying Texas land.
Track Record — Don for Texas
Campaign website · donfortexas.com
“bans foreign adversaries like China, Iran, and North Korea from buying Texas land”
Authored the 2025 Uvalde Strong Act on school shooter response.
Bills authored by Rep. Don McLaughlin, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)
Government record · Texas Legislature Online · capitol.texas.gov
“Relating to active shooter incidents at primary and secondary school facilities and other emergencies.”

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.