Who is running for State Representative District 48 in 2026?

Texas State Representative, District 48

Donna Howard is a Democrat who has represented Texas House District 48 in Austin since 2006²¹. She is a nurse and health educator who served on the Eanes ISD school board and chairs the Texas Women's Health Caucus²¹. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary⁷ and faces Republican Anthony Gupta²².

Where they stand 12 issues · tap any issue for the evidence

• AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)medium

  Official action · medium confidence

  • In a September 2026 Community Impact Q&A she said she has advocated for reproductive rights as a state representative. (2026-09-21) source
  • Authored HB 257 (2025), relating to exceptions to and the repeal of certain laws prohibiting abortion. (2025) source
  • Authored HB 1986 (2025), relating to the regulation of abortion, including abortion complication reporting and the repeal of certain laws prohibiting abortion. (2025) source
  • Voted no on SB 8 (2021), the Texas Heartbeat Act, which bans most abortions after cardiac activity is detected; it passed the House 83 to 64. (2021-05-06) source
  • Voted no on HB 1280 (2021), prohibiting abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade; it passed the House 81 to 61. (2021-05-06) source
  • Voted no on HB 7 (2025, second called session), restricting the making and providing of abortion-inducing drugs; it passed the House 82 to 48. (2025-08-28) source
  • Was listed as a House coauthor of HB 3586 (2023), relating to the coverage and provision of abortion and contraception under a health benefit plan and certain programs administered by this state. (2023) source
• School choiceNo, keep public money in traditional public schoolsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on Amendment No. 2 to HB 1 (2023, fourth called session), removing the education savings account program from the bill; it was adopted 84 to 63. (2023-11-17) source
  • Voted no on SB 2 (2025), creating an education savings account program that can pay for private school; it passed the House 86 to 61. (2025-04-17) source
  • In her 2026 ATPE survey she said the state should always prioritize fully funding district public schools above charter schools and the ESA program, and should require regular public audits of ESA spending. (2026) source
• MarijuanaDecriminalize small amounts (fines, not jail)medium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on HB 441 (2021), reducing the penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana; it passed the House 88 to 40. (2021-04-30) source
  • Voted yes on HB 218 (2023), reducing the penalties for certain marijuana possession offenses; it passed the House 87 to 59. (2023-04-27) source
  • Voted yes on HB 46 (2025), expanding medical use of low-THC cannabis under the Texas Compassionate-Use Program; it passed the House 122 to 21. (2025-05-13) source
  • Voted no on SB 3 (2025), banning most consumable hemp products containing THC; it passed the House 87 to 54. (2025-05-22) source
  • Authored HB 1805 (2023), relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis by patients with certain medical conditions. (2023) source
• RedistrictingIndependent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderingmedium

  Official action · medium confidence

  • Authored HB 3031 (2025), relating to the reapportionment of state districts and the duties of an independent redistricting commission. (2025) source
  • Authored HJR 15 (2023), a proposed constitutional amendment establishing an independent redistricting commission to draw the districts for Texas members of Congress and the Legislature. (2023) source
  • Voted no on HB 4 (2025, second called session), redrawing Texas congressional districts; it passed the House 88 to 52. (2025-08-20) source
• Mandatory minimumsAdd or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on HB 6 (2023), creating new offenses and increasing penalties for certain fentanyl-related crimes; it passed the House 124 to 21. (2023-04-28) source
• Policing and crimeTougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 9 (2025), tightening bail rules for certain defendants and regulating charitable bail organizations; it passed the House 118 to 25. (2025-05-20) source
• Texas power gridPay for more backup natural gas plantsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 2627 (2023), creating state loans for building or upgrading dispatchable power plants; it passed the House 118 to 23. (2023-05-23) source
• Kids onlineBan social media accounts for minorsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on HB 186 (2025), banning social media accounts for minors; it passed the House 116 to 25. (2025-04-30) source
• Safety net programsExpand help for childcare, housing and paid family leavemedium

  Official action · medium confidence

  • Authored HB 3072 (2025), relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid to certain women. (2025) source
  • Was listed as a House coauthor of HB 652 (2023), relating to the development and implementation of the Live Well Texas program and the expansion of Medicaid eligibility to provide health benefit coverage to certain individuals. (2023) source
  • Was listed among the authors of HB 2604 (2023), relating to the establishment of a paid parental leave program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission; imposing an employer contribution. (2023) source
• Housing and growthAllow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downlow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 15 (2025), barring certain large cities from requiring large minimum residential lot sizes; it passed the House 86 to 43. (2025-05-28) source
  • Voted yes on SB 15 (2025, conference committee report), barring certain large cities from requiring large minimum residential lot sizes; the House adopted the conference committee report 78 to 57. (2025-06-01) source
• AI data centersNo single answer fitsmedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted yes on SB 6 (2025), setting grid connection and cost rules for very large power users such as data centers; it passed the House 103 to 25. (2025-05-27) source
• GunsNo single answer fitslow

  Official action · low confidence

  • Authored HB 2653 (2023), relating to the reporting of lost or stolen firearms; creating a criminal offense. (2023) source
  • Authored HB 3264 (2025), relating to the inclusion of firearm safety instruction in the required health curriculum for public school students. (2025) source

No public position found on: Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Immigration, Energy and climate, Curriculum and books, Property taxes, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Gender care for minors, 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, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.

No public office found

Anthony Gupta is the Republican nominee for Texas House District 48 and faces incumbent Democrat Donna Howard¹². He won the Republican primary³. He did not respond to a Community Impact candidate questionnaire².

No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, Texas power grid, AI data centers, School choice, 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.