Texas State Senator, District 1

Bryan Hughes (Republican) is the incumbent State Senator for Texas Senate District 1². His Senate biography says he served in the Texas House from 2003 to 2017 and in the Senate since 2017, is an attorney with degrees from the University of Texas at Tyler and Baylor Law School, and represents 19 counties in East Texas². He is one of two candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for the seat¹.

Where they stand 11 issues · tap any issue for the evidence

• AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on HB 1280 (2021), the law banning abortion if Roe v. Wade was overturned, with an exception only to save the life or a major bodily function of the mother; it passed the Senate 19 to 12. (2021-05-25) source
  • Voted yes to concur in the House amendments to SB 8 (2021), the Texas Heartbeat Act, which bans most abortions after cardiac activity is detected and is enforced through private lawsuits; the vote was 18 to 12. (2021-05-13) source
  • Voted yes on SB 33 (2025), which bars local governments from funding travel or logistical support for abortions; it passed the Senate 22 to 9. (2025-04-16) source
  • His Senate biography says he authored the Heartbeat Bill. source
• GunsRemove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on HB 1927 (2021), which allows people 21 or older who may legally own a gun to carry it without a license; it passed the Senate 18 to 13. (2021-05-05) source
• Election rulesStrict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 1 (2021), the election law overhaul that added mail ballot ID rules and limited some voting options; it passed the Senate 18 to 11. (2021-08-11) source
  • His Senate biography says he authored the Election Integrity Bill of 2021. source
• DEI programsBan DEI offices and required training at public institutionsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on the SB 12 (2025) conference committee report, which sets parental rights rules in schools and bans DEI duties and instruction in K-12; it was adopted 20 to 11. (2025-05-31) source
• School choiceYes, universal school choice for every familymedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 2 (2025), which created an education savings account program for private school costs; it passed the Senate 19 to 12. (2025-02-05) source
• ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on the SB 8 (2025) conference committee report, which requires certain sheriffs to join the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program; it was adopted 20 to 11. (2025-05-31) source
  • Voted yes on SB 4 (2023), which made illegal entry into Texas a state crime; it passed the Senate 17 to 11. (2023-11-09) source
• Religion in schoolsSupport laws requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms and optional prayer periodsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 11 (2025), which lets school boards set a daily period for prayer and Bible reading; it passed the Senate 23 to 7. (2025-03-18) source
  • Voted yes to concur in the House amendment to SB 10 (2025), which requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms; the vote was 21 to 10. (2025-05-28) source
• Curriculum and booksParents, including the right to remove material they object tomedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 13 (2025), which sets school library advisory councils and parental rights over library materials; it passed the Senate 23 to 8. (2025-03-19) source
  • Voted yes on HB 900 (2023), which regulates library materials sold to or included in public school libraries; it passed the Senate 19 to 12. (2023-05-23) source
• Gender care for minorsNo, ban these treatments for minorsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes to concur in the House amendments to SB 14 (2023), which bans puberty blockers, hormones and surgery for gender transition for minors; the vote was 19 to 12. (2023-05-17) source
• School vaccinesKeep requirements with simple personal-belief exemptionsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on HB 1586 (2025), relating to an exemption from required immunizations for school enrollment; it passed the Senate 23 to 8. (2025-05-25) source
• China policyGet tougher: broad tariffs, state bans on land purchases, and forced app salesmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 17 (2025), which restricts purchases of Texas real property by certain foreign governments, entities and people, including from China; it passed the Senate 24 to 7. (2025-03-19) source