Vote the PersonNot the party
Candidate

Richard Hayes

Republican · Incumbent

Texas State Representative, District 57

Richard Hayes is a Republican attorney who represents Texas House District 57 in Denton County and has served in the House since January 202346. He is a founding partner of a North Texas law firm established in 1985 and earned degrees from Texas Christian University, Texas A&M and St. Mary's University School of Law47. He serves on the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence and Pensions, Investments and Financial Services committees, and his campaign lists property tax relief, infrastructure, public school funding and election integrity as priorities4736.

Where they stand 20 issues · tap any issue for the evidence

  • School choiceYes, universal school choice for every familymedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on SB 2 (2025), relating to the establishment of an education savings account program; it passed the House 86 to 61. (2025-04-17) source
    • Was listed as a House cosponsor of SB 2 (2025), relating to the establishment of an education savings account program. (2025) source
    • Voted no on the Raney amendment (Amendment No. 2) to HB 1 (2023, fourth called session), a bill that included the establishment of an education savings account program, which would strike Article 6 of the bill; the House adopted it 84 to 63. (2023-11-17) source
  • Religion in schoolsSupport laws requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms and optional prayer periodsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on SB 10 (2025), relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms; it passed the House 82 to 46. (2025-05-25) source
    • Was listed as a House cosponsor of SB 10 (2025), relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. (2025) source
    • Was listed as a House cosponsor of SB 11 (2025), relating to a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text in public schools. (2025) source
  • DEI programsBan DEI offices and required training at public institutionsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on SB 12 (2025), relating to parental rights in public education, including requirements and prohibitions regarding instruction and diversity, equity, and inclusion duties; it passed the House 88 to 47. (2025-05-25) source
    • Voted yes on SB 17 (2023), relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public institutions of higher education; it passed the House 83 to 62. (2023-05-22) source
  • China policyGet tougher: broad tariffs, state bans on land purchases, and forced app salesmedium
    Official action · medium confidence
    • Was listed as a House cosponsor of SB 17 (2025), relating to the purchase or acquisition of real property by certain aliens or foreign entities. (2025) source
    • Voted yes on SB 17 (2025), relating to the purchase or acquisition of real property by certain aliens or foreign entities; it passed the House 86 to 59. (2025-05-09) source
  • Curriculum and booksParents, including the right to remove material they object tomedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on SB 13 (2025), relating to school library materials, local school library advisory councils and parental rights regarding library catalogs and access; it passed the House 86 to 55. (2025-05-28) source
    • Voted yes on HB 900 (2023), relating to the regulation of library materials sold to or included in public school libraries; it passed the House 95 to 52. (2023-04-20) source
    • Was listed as a House coauthor of HB 900 (2023), relating to the regulation of library materials sold to or included in public school libraries. (2023) source
    • In a 2024 candidate statement he listed passing HB 900, the READER Act, which he described as removing sexually explicit books from schools. (2024-10-17) source
  • RedistrictingState legislatures draw maps and may redraw any time, including for partisan advantagemedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on HB 4 (2025, second called session), relating to the composition of the districts for the election of members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas; it passed the House 88 to 52. (2025-08-20) source
    • Was listed as a House coauthor of HB 4 (2025, second called session), relating to the composition of the districts for the election of members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas. (2025) source
  • Kids onlineBan social media accounts for minorsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on HB 186 (2025), relating to prohibiting use of social media platforms by children; it passed the House 116 to 25. (2025-04-30) source
    • Was listed as a House coauthor of HB 186 (2025), relating to prohibiting use of social media platforms by children. (2025) source
  • Policing and crimeTougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Was listed as a House cosponsor of SB 9 (2025), relating to the confinement or release of defendants before trial or sentencing, including regulating charitable bail organizations, and the conditions of and procedures for setting bail and reviewing bail decisions. (2025) source
    • Voted yes on SB 9 (2025), relating to the confinement or release of defendants before trial or sentencing, including regulating charitable bail organizations and bail procedures; it passed the House 118 to 25. (2025-05-20) source
  • School vaccinesKeep requirements with simple personal-belief exemptionsmedium
    Official action · medium confidence
    • Was listed as a House coauthor of HB 1586 (2025), relating to an exemption from required immunizations for school enrollment. (2025) source
    • 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
  • ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on SB 4 (2023, fourth called session), relating to prohibitions on illegal entry into or illegal presence in this state by a person who is an alien; it passed the House 83 to 61. (2023-11-14) source
    • Voted yes on SB 8 (2025), relating to agreements between sheriffs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law; it passed the House 86 to 47. (2025-05-25) source
  • Property taxesKeep cutting them and cap how fast they can risemedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on SB 10 (2025, second called session), relating to the calculation of the voter-approval tax rate for certain taxing units; it passed the House 78 to 52. (2025-08-25) source
    • His campaign site lists continuing active support of property tax relief for property owners as a priority. (2026) source
  • Gender care for minorsNo, ban these treatments for minorsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on SB 14 (2023), relating to prohibitions on the provision to certain children of procedures and treatments for gender transitioning; it passed the House 87 to 56. (2023-05-15) source
    • Was listed as a House cosponsor of SB 14 (2023), relating to prohibitions on the provision to certain children of procedures and treatments for gender transitioning. (2023) source
  • Transgender athletesNo, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on SB 15 (2023), relating to requiring public institution of higher education students who compete in intercollegiate athletics to compete based on biological sex; it passed the House 95 to 50. (2023-05-18) source
    • Was listed as a House cosponsor of SB 15 (2023), relating to requiring public institution of higher education students who compete in intercollegiate athletics to compete based on biological sex. (2023) source
    • In a 2024 candidate statement he listed SB 15, the Save Women's Sports Act, among his conservative victories, describing it as ensuring collegiate athletes compete according to biological sex. (2024-10-17) source
  • Nuclear powerBack new reactors with public funds, tax credits, and streamlined approvalsmedium
    Official action · medium confidence
    • Was listed as a House coauthor of HB 14 (2025), relating to support for the development of the nuclear energy industry. (2025) source
  • AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestlow
    Voted · low confidence
    • Voted yes on HB 7 (2025, second called session), relating to prohibitions on the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs; it passed the House 82 to 48. (2025-08-28) source
    • Was listed as a House coauthor of HB 7 (2025, second called session), relating to prohibitions on the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs. (2025) source
  • Election rulesStrict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotslow
    Official action · low confidence
    • Was listed as a House cosponsor of SB 16 (2025), relating to requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote; the bill history shows its last action as a House committee report sent to Calendars on May 25, 2025, with no House floor vote. (2025) source
    • His campaign site says maintaining election integrity is an overarching priority. (2026) source
  • Housing and growthAllow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downlow
    Voted · low confidence
    • Voted yes on SB 15 (2025), relating to size and density requirements for residential lots in certain municipalities; it passed the House 86 to 43. (2025-05-28) source
    • Voted yes on the final version of SB 15 (2025), relating to size and density requirements for residential lots in certain municipalities; the House adopted the conference committee report 78 to 57. (2025-06-01) source
  • AI data centersNo single answer fitsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted no on SB 6 (2025), relating to the planning for, interconnection and operation of, and costs related to providing service for certain electrical loads; it passed the House 103 to 25. (2025-05-27) source
  • MarijuanaNo single answer fitsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted no on HB 218 (2023), relating to the criminal and licensing consequences of certain offenses relating to the possession of marihuana and certain THC compounds; it passed the House 87 to 59. (2023-04-27) source
    • Voted no on HB 46 (2025), relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis and the administration of the Texas Compassionate-Use Program; it passed the House 122 to 21. (2025-05-13) source
    • Voted yes on SB 3 (2025), relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products; it passed the House 87 to 54. (2025-05-22) source
  • Mandatory minimumsNo single answer fitsmedium
    Voted · medium confidence
    • Voted yes on HB 6 (2023), relating to the designation of fentanyl poisoning or fentanyl toxicity for purposes of the death certificate and to criminal penalties for certain controlled substance offenses; it passed the House 124 to 21. (2023-04-28) source

No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Guns, Energy and climate, Texas power grid, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, E-Verify mandate.

Record

  • Member of the Texas House for District 57 since January 202346.
  • Member of the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee, the Pensions, Investments and Financial Services Committee and the Select Committee on Governmental Oversight, and of the House Freedom Caucus47.
  • Is the Republican candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for District 57, against Democrat Ray Stith and Libertarian Darren Hamilton1.
  • Did not answer the Community Impact candidate questionnaire for this race by press time48.

Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.

Sources (49)

Every claim on this page links to one of these
  1. Ballot Certification Report, 2026 November General Election (Denton County block), Aug. 28, 2026Texas Secretary of State
  2. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 46: SB 2 passage (Record 300)Texas House Journal
  3. SB 2 (2025), 89th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  4. House Journal, 88th Legislature, Fourth Called Session, 88th Legislature, 4th Called Session, Day 5: HB 1 Amendment No. 2 (Raney) (Record 56)Texas House Journal
  5. HB 1, 88th Legislature (Fourth Called Session): bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  6. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 73: SB 10 passage (Record 3503)Texas House Journal
  7. SB 10 (2025), 89th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  8. SB 11 (2025), 89th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  9. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 71: SB 11 passage (Record 3315)Texas House Journal
  10. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 73: SB 12 passage (Record 3506)Texas House Journal
  11. House Journal, 88th Legislature, 88th Legislature, Day 68: SB 17 passage (Record 1921)Texas House Journal
  12. SB 17 (2025), 89th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  13. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 60: SB 17 passage (Record 1881)Texas House Journal
  14. SB 17 (2025), enrolled textTexas Legislature Online
  15. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 76: SB 13 passage (Record 3921)Texas House Journal
  16. House Journal, 88th Legislature, 88th Legislature, Day 45: HB 900 passage (Record 351)Texas House Journal
  17. HB 900 (2023), 88th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  18. Meet the Candidates: State House District 57Cross Timbers Gazette
  19. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Second Called Session, 2nd Called Session, Day 5: HB 4 final passage (Record 30)Texas House Journal
  20. HB 4 (2025, second called session), 89th Legislature, Second Called Session: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  21. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 53: HB 186 passage (Record 972)Texas House Journal
  22. HB 186 (2025), 89th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  23. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 75: SB 6 passage (Record 3643)Texas House Journal
  24. SB 9 (2025), 89th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  25. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 68: SB 9 passage (Record 3003)Texas House Journal
  26. HB 1586 (2025), 89th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  27. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 64: HB 1586 passage (Record 2465)Texas House Journal
  28. House Journal, 88th Legislature, 88th Legislature, Day 50: HB 218 passage (Record 605)Texas House Journal
  29. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 63: HB 46 passage (Record 2257)Texas House Journal
  30. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 70: SB 3 passage (Record 3304)Texas House Journal
  31. House Journal, 88th Legislature, Fourth Called Session, 88th Legislature, 4th Called Session, Day 5: SB 4 passage (Record 48)Texas House Journal
  32. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 73: SB 8 passage (Record 3502)Texas House Journal
  33. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Second Called Session, 2nd Called Session, Day 10: HB 7 passage (Record 135)Texas House Journal
  34. HB 7 (2025, second called session), 89th Legislature, Second Called Session: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  35. SB 16 (2025), 89th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  36. Richard Hayes For State Representative (campaign site)Hayes campaign
  37. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Second Called Session, 2nd Called Session, Day 7: SB 10 passage (Record 64)Texas House Journal
  38. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 76: SB 15 passage (Record 3837)Texas House Journal
  39. House Journal, 89th Legislature, Day 80: SB 15 conference committee report (Record 4137)Texas House Journal
  40. House Journal, 88th Legislature, 88th Legislature, Day 63: SB 14 passage (Record 1688)Texas House Journal
  41. SB 14 (2023), 88th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  42. House Journal, 88th Legislature, 88th Legislature, Day 66: SB 15 passage (Record 1813)Texas House Journal
  43. SB 15 (2023), 88th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  44. House Journal, 88th Legislature, 88th Legislature, Day 51: HB 6 passage (Record 683)Texas House Journal
  45. HB 14 (2025), 89th Legislature: bill historyTexas Legislature Online
  46. Richard Hayes (Texas politician)Wikipedia
  47. Biography, Rep. Richard HayesTexas House of Representatives
  48. Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Texas House, District 57Community Impact
  49. SB 15 (2025), 89th Legislature: enrolled textTexas Legislature Online