Vote the PersonNot the party
Candidate

Lauren B. Peña

Republican

Private citizen

Lauren B. Peña is a Republican from East Austin who describes herself as a human trafficking survivor, a mother of six and a constitutional conservative35. She founded Peña Legal Advocacy and has testified before the Texas Legislature on housing and welfare policy1. She won the May 2026 Republican primary runoff for the 37th District and faces Rep. Greg Casar in November2.

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

  • GunsRemove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightmedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Her platform opposes federal red flag laws, universal background check mandates and any assault weapons ban, and supports constitutional carry nationwide. (2026) source
  • Term limitsYes, but longer limits that still allow long service, such as 12 years per chambermedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Her platform calls for congressional term limits of 12 years maximum. (2026) source
    • Told Ballotpedia she favors four-year House terms with a maximum of three terms. (2025) source
  • Politicians trading stocksNo, ban it for members and their spousesmedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Her corruption issue page calls for banning members of Congress and their immediate families from trading individual stocks while in office and requiring blind trusts for all investments. (2026) source
    • Her platform summary calls for requiring all congressional stock trades to be disclosed in real time. (2026) source
  • ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Her campaign site says: close the border, finish the wall, end catch and release. (2026) source
    • Told Ballotpedia she will prioritize securing the border and supports responsible immigration policies that welcome those who follow the law. (2025) source
  • AI regulationKeep rules minimal so AI companies can innovate freelymedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Told The Daily Texan that Rep. Casar's AI bill is too restrictive; she said deepfakes and child sexual images should be restricted, but further limits would hurt poor families using AI to gain skills. (2026-09-24) source
  • Transgender athletesNo, and Congress should set a biological sex rule nationwidemedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Her parental rights issue page calls for federal legislation prohibiting biological males from competing in women's athletic categories at any institution receiving federal funding. (2026) source
  • DEI programsBan them and cut federal funds to schools and contractors that keep themmedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Her parental rights issue page calls for prohibiting the use of federal education funds for Critical Race Theory curricula and DEI programming. (2026) source
  • Energy and climateNo single answer fitsmedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Her platform calls for eliminating federal regulations on Texas energy production, opposing Green New Deal mandates, expanding LNG exports and supporting nuclear power. (2026) source
  • Nuclear powerNo single answer fitsmedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Her platform supports nuclear energy as a clean, reliable baseload power source. (2026) source
  • School vaccinesNo single answer fitsmedium
    Said · medium confidence
    • Her platform opposes federal vaccine mandates of any kind. (2026) source
  • Safety net programsNo single answer fitsmedium
    Questionnaire answer · medium confidence
    • Told Ballotpedia welfare reform is her priority, saying the current system traps families in poverty and cuts off all benefits at once when a parent starts earning. (2025) source

No public position found on: Income taxes, National debt, Social Security, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Trade and tariffs, Foreign policy, Judges, Marijuana, Redistricting, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, Kids online, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, Religion in schools, Aid to Israel, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.

Record

  • Defeated Ge'Nell Gary in the May 26, 2026 Republican primary runoff with 58.2 percent of the vote2.
  • Has proposed a SAFE NIGHTS Act aimed at human trafficking in nightlife venues as her first bill if elected3.

Who funds this campaign

Official reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for January 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

$130,033raised
$127,435spent
$2,598cash on hand

Where the money came from

  • People who gaveincluding $102,887 in gifts under $200$125,033
  • Political party committees$5,000

Gifts from individual people are listed by name in the full filings. See every report on FEC.gov. Numbers updated October 5, 2026; we add no labels or judgments to any donor.

Last reviewed 2026-10-19. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.

Sources (7)

Every claim on this page links to one of these
  1. Lauren PeñaBallotpedia
  2. Texas' 37th Congressional District election, 2026Ballotpedia
  3. Lauren B. Peña for Congress: HomeLauren B. Peña for Congress
  4. Lauren B. Peña for Congress: PlatformLauren B. Peña for Congress
  5. Republican UT district congressional nominee speaks on student issuesThe Daily Texan
  6. Parental Rights | Lauren B. Peña for CongressLauren B. Peña for Congress
  7. Corruption and Government Waste | Lauren B. Peña for CongressLauren B. Peña for Congress