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.
Taxes & budget
Cecilia CastellanoDemocratic
- Supported the bipartisan property tax relief amendment.
Don McLaughlinRepublican
- Supports limits on property appraisal growth.
Public safety
Cecilia CastellanoDemocratic
No documented position found.
Don McLaughlinRepublican
- Authored the 2025 Uvalde Strong Act on school shooter response.In office
Education
Cecilia CastellanoDemocratic
- Opposes school vouchers; supports higher teacher pay.
Don McLaughlinRepublican
- Supports ending the STAAR test and teaching life skills.
Housing
Cecilia CastellanoDemocratic
No documented position found.
Don McLaughlinRepublican
- Supported banning foreign adversaries from buying Texas land.
Roads & infrastructure
Cecilia CastellanoDemocratic
- Supports regional funding for broadband, water and roads.
Don McLaughlinRepublican
- Supports bringing basic water infrastructure to rural communities.
Health & human services
Cecilia CastellanoDemocratic
- Supports Medicaid expansion for rural Texans.
Don McLaughlinRepublican
- Secured $12.5 million for a Uvalde behavioral health campus.
Government & transparency
Cecilia CastellanoDemocratic
- Opposes state preemption that limits local businesses.
Don McLaughlinRepublican
No documented position found.
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.