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Candidate

Chelsey Hockett

Democrat

Private citizen

Chelsey Hockett is a Democrat and a mother from East Texas4 who won the May 26, 2026 Democratic runoff for Texas's 5th Congressional District over Ruth Torres, 53 percent to 47 percent1. She was born in Frederick, Maryland, earned a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 2015, and has worked in restaurants and for airlines1. She has been affiliated with the Kaufman County Democratic Party1.

Where they stand

  • Healthcare: Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All) Said · high confidence
    • Her campaign site says she will fight to enact Medicare for All, a universal system that would eliminate premiums and deductibles. (2026) source
    • Said she supports Medicare for All and universal, publicly funded healthcare. (2026-02-16) source
  • Minimum wage: Raise it higher and tie it to the cost of living Said · high confidence
    • Her campaign site calls for tying the minimum wage to the cost of living, starting with a $25 minimum wage. (2026) source
  • Social Security: Expand benefits and fund it with higher taxes on the wealthy Said · high confidence
    • Her campaign site calls for tying Social Security benefits to the cost of living, starting with a $200 benefit increase, funded by removing the cap on the Social Security payroll tax. (2026) source
  • Childcare and pre-K: Guarantee low-cost childcare for all families plus universal pre-K Said · high confidence
    • Her campaign site calls for enacting universal childcare so parents can afford to raise children and work. (2026) source
  • Aid to Israel: End it Said · high confidence
    • Her campaign site calls for passing the Block the Bombs Act and other legislation to end all U.S. funding for Israel while sending aid to Palestinians. (2026) source
    • Answered yes when asked whether she supports ending U.S. military aid to countries with ongoing human rights abuses, including Israel and Egypt. (2026-08) source
  • Income taxes: Raise taxes on the highest earners and corporations to pay for programs Said · medium confidence
    • Her campaign site calls for making corporations and billionaires pay more by closing loopholes and instituting a progressive income tax and a wealth tax. (2026) source
  • Trade and tariffs: Free trade with minimal tariffs across the board Said · low confidence
    • Her campaign site calls for ending President Trump's tariffs, citing Federal Reserve findings that they raise consumer prices. (2026) source
  • Abortion: Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks) Said · medium confidence
    • Her campaign site calls for codifying Roe v. Wade and returning control of health decisions to each woman and her doctor. (2026) source
    • Told Ballotpedia she believes in reproductive freedom. (2025) source
  • Immigration: A path to citizenship for most, and more legal immigration Said · medium confidence
    • Her campaign site calls for abolishing and prosecuting ICE and replacing it with humane, accountable immigration services, and for fair and efficient pathways to citizenship. (2026) source
    • Told Ballotpedia she supports a humane border system that values both security and human dignity. (2025) source
  • Redistricting: Independent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymandering Said · medium confidence
    • Her campaign site supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ban partisan gerrymandering. (2026) source
  • Energy and climate: An aggressive shift to clean energy with firm deadlines Said · medium confidence
    • Her campaign site calls for enacting a Green New Deal to expand renewable energy. (2026) source
  • Qualified immunity: No, end it for police so officers or departments can be sued for rights violations Questionnaire answer · high confidence
    • Answered 'absolutely' when asked whether she supports ending qualified immunity and setting federal police accountability standards, including a national use-of-force standard and independent investigations. (2026-02-16) source
  • Supreme Court reform: Add term limits and ethics rules, and expand the Court beyond nine seats Questionnaire answer · high confidence
    • Said she supports expanding the Supreme Court and instituting term limits for justices. (2026-02-16) source
  • Term limits: No single answer fits; see the evidence below. Questionnaire answer · medium confidence
    • Told Ballotpedia she supports term limits that apply to everyone, without grandfather clauses, combined with limits on lobbying and PAC money. (2025) source

No public position found on: National debt, Safety net programs, Business regulation, Guns, Foreign policy, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Death penalty, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.

Record

  • Placed first in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary for Texas's 5th Congressional District and won the May 26, 2026 runoff1.
  • Faces incumbent Lance Gooden on the November 3, 2026 ballot; an independent, Dea Foy, is listed as withdrawn or disqualified3.

Last reviewed 2026-09-27. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.

Sources

  1. Chelsey Hockett (includes 2025 Candidate Connection survey)Ballotpedia
  2. IssuesChelsey Hockett for Congress
  3. Texas' 5th Congressional District election, 2026Ballotpedia
  4. Meet The Candidates: Chelsey Hockett For Texas Congressional District 05 (candidate Q&A)Lone Star Left
  5. Where Every Texas Democratic Congressional Candidate Stands On Israel And AIPAC MoneyLone Star Left