Texas State Representative, District 7

Jay Dean (Republican) is the incumbent State Representative for Texas House District 7². His House biography says he has served since 2017, that the district covers Gregg, Harrison and Marion Counties as of 2023, and that he was Mayor of Longview for a decade and on the Longview City Council for five years before that². He is one of two candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for the seat¹.

Where they stand 13 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 House 81 to 61. (2021-05-06) source
  • Voted yes on SB 8 (2021), the Texas Heartbeat Act, which bans most abortions after cardiac activity is detected and is enforced through private lawsuits; it passed the House 83 to 64. (2021-05-06) source
  • His House biography describes him as an advocate for "supporting the right to life." source
• GunsRemove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on the HB 1927 (2021) conference report, which allows people 21 or older who may legally own a gun to carry it without a license; it passed the House 82 to 62. (2021-05-23) source
  • His House biography describes him as an advocate for "protecting the 2nd Amendment." source
• Election rulesStrict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on the SB 1 (2021) conference report, the election law overhaul that added mail ballot ID rules and limited some voting options; it passed the House 80 to 41. (2021-08-31) source
• DEI programsBan DEI offices and required training at public institutionsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 12 (2025), which sets parental rights rules in schools and bans DEI duties and instruction in K-12; it passed the House 88 to 47. (2025-05-25) source
  • Voted yes on SB 17 (2023), which bans diversity, equity and inclusion offices and required training at public colleges; it passed the House 83 to 62. (2023-05-22) 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 House 86 to 61. (2025-04-17) source
• ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 8 (2025), which requires certain sheriffs to join the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program; it passed the House 86 to 47. (2025-05-25) source
  • Voted yes on SB 4 (2023), which made illegal entry into Texas a state crime; it passed the House 83 to 61. (2023-11-14) source
• Religion in schoolsSupport laws requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms and optional prayer periodsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 10 (2025), which requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms; it passed the House 82 to 46. (2025-05-25) source
  • Voted yes on SB 11 (2025), which lets school boards set a daily period for prayer and Bible reading; it passed the House 88 to 48. (2025-05-23) 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 House 86 to 55. (2025-05-28) source
  • Voted yes on HB 900 (2023), which regulates library materials sold to or included in public school libraries; it passed the House 95 to 52. (2023-04-20) source
• Gender care for minorsNo, ban these treatments for minorsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 14 (2023), which bans puberty blockers, hormones and surgery for gender transition for minors; it passed the House 87 to 56. (2023-05-15) source
• Transgender athletesNo, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 15 (2023), which requires college students to compete in sports based on biological sex; it passed the House 95 to 50. (2023-05-18) 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 House 83 to 54. (2025-05-14) source
• Policing and crimeTougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 9 (2025), which tightened bail procedures and regulated charitable bail groups; it passed the House 118 to 25. (2025-05-20) source
  • Voted yes on HB 1900 (2021), which penalizes large cities that cut police budgets; it passed the House 90 to 49. (2021-05-07) source
• Kids onlineBan social media accounts for minorsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on HB 186 (2025), which would have barred minors from social media accounts; it passed the House 116 to 25. (2025-04-30) source