State
State Representative, District 9
- 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 Angelina, Polk, Houston, Tyler, Trinity and San Augustine counties. Open seat: incumbent Trent Ashby is not on the general-election ballot.
Taxes & budget
Rocky ThigpenRepublican
- Pledges property tax relief for homeowners and families.
Shelley TatumDemocratic
No documented position found.
Education
Rocky ThigpenRepublican
No documented position found.
Shelley TatumDemocratic
- Pledges to vote to raise the per-pupil allotment.
- Pledges to reduce unfunded state regulations on schools.
Roads & infrastructure
Rocky ThigpenRepublican
No documented position found.
Shelley TatumDemocratic
- Supports maintaining and increasing broadband expansion funding.
Environment & parks
Rocky ThigpenRepublican
No documented position found.
Shelley TatumDemocratic
- Supports new laws protecting East Texas groundwater.
Health & human services
Rocky ThigpenRepublican
No documented position found.
Shelley TatumDemocratic
- Supports state funding for rural health care.
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; 5 issues covered in this race.