Texas general election: November 3, 2026
Who is running for State Representative District 17 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for State Representative District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Texas House District 17.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Mary Elizabeth KlenzDemocrat | Stan GerdesRepublican |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Keep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenSaid · medium | No public position |
| Abortion | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · medium | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestSaid · medium |
| Immigration | Tighter border security plus a path to legal status for long-time residentsSaid · medium | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadySaid · medium |
| Texas power grid | No public position | Pay for more backup natural gas plantsVoted · medium |
| AI data centers | No public position | Allow them case by case, with strict local rules on siting, noise and waterSaid · medium |
| School choice | No, keep public money in traditional public schoolsSaid · medium | Yes, universal school choice for every familyVoted · medium |
| Curriculum and books | No public position | Parents, including the right to remove material they object toVoted · medium |
| Property taxes | No public position | Eliminate school property taxes and replace them with sales tax or state moneySaid · medium |
| Policing and crime | No public position | Tougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailVoted · medium |
| Election rules | No public position | Strict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotsOfficial action · medium |
| Gender care for minors | No public position | No, ban these treatments for minorsSaid · high |
| Redistricting | No public position | State legislatures draw maps and may redraw any time, including for partisan advantageVoted · medium |
| Kids online | No public position | Ban social media accounts for minorsVoted · medium |
| School vaccines | No public position | Keep requirements with simple personal-belief exemptionsOfficial action · medium |
| Nuclear power | No public position | Back new reactors with public funds, tax credits, and streamlined approvalsOfficial action · medium |
| Transgender athletes | No public position | No, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsVoted · medium |
| DEI programs | No public position | Ban DEI offices and required training at public institutionsSaid · high |
| Religion in schools | No public position | Support laws requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms and optional prayer periodsVoted · medium |
| China policy | No public position | Get tougher: broad tariffs, state bans on land purchases, and forced app salesVoted · medium |
Mary Elizabeth Klenz
DemocratRetired physician (obstetrician-gynecologist)
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Klenz is a Democrat and a retired obstetrician-gynecologist who practiced for 25 years in the Rio Grande Valley before moving to a ranch outside Giddings1. Her site says she grew up in North Carolina, served in the Peace Corps, attended medical school at Duke and trained in obstetrics and gynecology at New York University1. She faces Republican Stan Gerdes on Nov. 3, 20262.
Where they stand 4 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
HealthcareKeep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign site says she will support strengthening the Affordable Care Act and continuing Medicaid expansion. (2026) source
ImmigrationTighter border security plus a path to legal status for long-time residentsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign site says she will oppose unwarranted local and state cooperation with federal ICE agents and an expanded border wall, wants resources directed at monitored checkpoints, and backs the Dignity Act, which provides a path for law-abiding immigrants to remain. (2026) source
School choiceNo, keep public money in traditional public schoolsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign site says the voucher program threatens to siphon resources from public classrooms and that she will fight to increase public school funding. (2026) source
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)medium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign site says she will work to repeal SB 8 and HB 1280 and protect the doctor-patient relationship so medical decisions stay between patients and their providers. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Guns, Energy and climate, Texas power grid, AI data centers, Curriculum and books, Property taxes, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Stan Gerdes
Republican · IncumbentState Representative, Texas House District 17
Stan Gerdes is a Republican who represents Texas House District 171. Community Impact lists him as a consultant and Smithville City Council member2. He won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary over Tom Glass with about 61 percent of the vote and faces Democrat Mary Elizabeth Klenz on Nov. 3, 202623.
Where they stand 21 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
DEI programsBan DEI offices and required training at public institutionshigh
Said · high confidence- His campaign site says he helped end DEI mandates in universities and pass laws to stop the sexualization of children in schools. (2026) source
- Voted yes on SB 17 (2023), which banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices and related practices at public colleges; it passed the House 83 to 62. (2023-05-22) source
- Voted yes on SB 12 (2025), which set parental rights rules and prohibited diversity, equity and inclusion duties in K-12 public schools; it passed the House 88 to 47. (2025-05-25) source
Gender care for minorsNo, ban these treatments for minorshigh
Said · high confidence- His campaign site says he voted to stop gender modification surgeries on minors. (2026) source
- Voted yes on SB 14 (2023), which banned gender transition procedures and treatments for minors; it passed the House 87 to 56. (2023-05-15) source
- Is 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
Election rulesStrict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotsmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Is listed as a House cosponsor of SB 16 (2025), relating to requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote. (2025) source
AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says he is 100% pro-life, that Texas led the nation with the Heartbeat Bill and the Trigger Ban, and that he will stand against efforts to weaken these protections. (2026) source
- Voted yes on HB 7 (2025, second called session), which restricted the making and distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and allows private lawsuits; it passed the House 82 to 48. (2025-08-28) source
- Is 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
- Is listed as a House coauthor of HB 44 (2025), relating to exceptions to otherwise prohibited abortions based on a physician's reasonable medical judgment. (2025) source
- Is listed as a House cosponsor of SB 31 (2025), relating to exceptions to otherwise prohibited abortions based on a physician's reasonable medical judgment. (2025) source
School choiceYes, universal school choice for every familymedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 2 (2025), which created a state education savings account program that can pay for private school; it passed the House 86 to 61. (2025-04-17) source
- Is listed as a House cosponsor of SB 2 (2025), relating to the establishment of an education savings account program. (2025) source
- Voted no on Amendment No. 2 (the Raney amendment) to HB 1 (2023, fourth called session), which removed the education savings account program from the bill; the House adopted it 84 to 63. (2023-11-17) source
- Voted no on Amendment No. 45 to HB 1 (2023, regular session), which barred the use of appropriated money for school vouchers and education savings accounts; it was adopted 86 to 52. (2023-04-06) source
Curriculum and booksParents, including the right to remove material they object tomedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 13 (2025), which set up local school library advisory councils and parental rights over school 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 kept in public school libraries; it passed the House 95 to 52. (2023-04-20) source
- Is 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
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 allows schools to set a period for prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts; it passed the House 88 to 48. (2025-05-23) 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 athletes at public universities to compete based on biological sex; it passed the House 95 to 50. (2023-05-18) source
- Is listed as a House cosponsor of SB 15 (2023), relating to requiring public institution of higher education students who compete in intercollegiate athletic competitions to compete based on biological sex. (2023) source
- His campaign site says he voted to defend girls' sports and locker rooms. (2026) 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 House 86 to 59. (2025-05-09) source
- Is listed as a House cosponsor of SB 17 (2025), relating to the purchase or acquisition of an interest in real property by certain aliens or foreign entities. (2025) source
- His campaign site says Texas banned foreign adversaries such as China, Iran and North Korea from buying Texas land or investing in its economy. (2026) source
ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says he worked to pass border security funding and tough laws for cooperation with ICE to deport criminal aliens, and wants to finish the border wall. (2026) source
- Voted yes on SB 4 (2023, fourth called session), which made illegal entry into Texas a state crime and allowed state judges to order people to leave the country; it passed the House 83 to 61. (2023-11-14) source
- Voted yes on SB 8 (2025), which requires certain sheriffs to enter agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; it passed the House 86 to 47. (2025-05-25) 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), the mid-decade redrawing of Texas congressional districts; it passed the House 88 to 52. (2025-08-20) source
- Is 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 United States House of Representatives from the State of Texas. (2025) 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
- His campaign site says Texas passed major bail reform to keep violent offenders off the streets and stop cities from paying criminals' bail with taxpayer dollars. (2026) source
Kids onlineBan social media accounts for minorsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 186 (2025), which would have prohibited minors from using social media platforms; it passed the House but did not become law 116 to 25. (2025-04-30) source
Texas power gridPay for more backup natural gas plantsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 2627 (2023), which created state loans for new or upgraded dispatchable power plants; it passed the House 118 to 23. (2023-05-23) source
School vaccinesKeep requirements with simple personal-belief exemptionsmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 1586 (2025), which made the school vaccine exemption affidavit form easier to obtain; it passed the House 83 to 54. (2025-05-14) source
- Is listed as a House coauthor of HB 1586 (2025), relating to an exemption from required immunizations for school enrollment. (2025) source
- His campaign site lists "NO Vaccine or Mask Mandates" among his issues. (2026) source
Nuclear powerBack new reactors with public funds, tax credits, and streamlined approvalsmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Is listed as a House coauthor of HB 14 (2025), relating to support for the development of the nuclear energy industry. (2025) source
Property taxesEliminate school property taxes and replace them with sales tax or state moneymedium
Said · medium confidence- In a September 2026 Community Impact Q&A he said he will work to eliminate property taxes while capping local spending increases. (2026-09) source
- Voted yes on SB 10 (2025, second called session), which lowered the voter-approval tax rate limit for certain local governments; it passed the House but did not become law 78 to 52. (2025-08-25) source
AI data centersAllow them case by case, with strict local rules on siting, noise and watermedium
Said · medium confidence- In a September 2026 Community Impact Q&A he said state safeguards should mandate grid support and protect local water supplies, and that counties need greater authority to evaluate data center developments before approving them. (2026-09) source
- Voted yes on SB 6 (2025), which set rules for how very large electricity users such as data centers connect to the grid and share related costs; it passed the House 103 to 25. (2025-05-27) source
Housing and growthNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 15 (2025), which bars certain large cities from requiring large minimum lot sizes for new homes, on third reading; it passed the House 86 to 43. (2025-05-28) source
- Voted no on the final version of SB 15 (2025), which bars certain large cities from requiring large minimum lot sizes for new homes; the House adopted the conference committee report 78 to 57. (2025-06-01) source
MarijuanaNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on HB 218 (2023), which reduced penalties and licensing consequences for possessing small amounts of marijuana; it passed the House 87 to 59. (2023-04-27) source
- Voted yes on HB 46 (2025), which expanded the state's medical low-THC cannabis program; it passed the House 122 to 21. (2025-05-13) source
- Voted yes on SB 3 (2025), which would have banned most consumable hemp products containing THC; it passed the House and was later vetoed by the governor 87 to 54. (2025-05-22) source
Mandatory minimumsNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 6 (2023), which created new offenses and increased criminal penalties for certain fentanyl-related 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, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.