Texas general election: November 3, 2026
Who is running for State Representative District 57 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for State Representative District 57 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Texas House District 57.
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 | Darren HamiltonLibertarian | Ray StithDemocrat | Richard HayesRepublican |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Get rid of it; let employers and workers agree on payQuestionnaire answer · medium | No public position | No public position |
| Business regulation | Cut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental rulesQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position | No public position |
| Healthcare | Mostly private market; roll back the government's roleQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position | No public position |
| Abortion | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Questionnaire answer · low | No public position | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestVoted · low |
| Guns | Remove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position | No public position |
| Immigration | Much more open immigration with less enforcementSaid · medium | No public position | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadyVoted · medium |
| Energy and climate | All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position | No public position |
| School choice | No, keep public money in traditional public schoolsQuestionnaire answer · medium | No single answer fits; see evidence | Yes, universal school choice for every familyVoted · medium |
| Curriculum and books | Teachers and librarians, as trained professionalsQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position | Parents, including the right to remove material they object toVoted · medium |
| Property taxes | No public position | No public position | Keep cutting them and cap how fast they can riseVoted · medium |
| Housing and growth | Let the market build what is needed, with local reviewSaid · low | No public position | Allow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downVoted · low |
| Policing and crime | Major reform: much less incarceration and a smaller role for policeQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position | Tougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailVoted · medium |
| Election rules | No public position | No public position | Strict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotsOfficial action · low |
| Marijuana | Decriminalize small amounts (fines, not jail)Said · low | No public position | No single answer fits; see evidence |
| Gender care for minors | No single answer fits; see evidence | No public position | No, ban these treatments for minorsVoted · medium |
| Redistricting | No public position | No public position | State legislatures draw maps and may redraw any time, including for partisan advantageVoted · medium |
| Electoral College | Keep the Electoral College but award electors by congressional districtQuestionnaire answer · medium | No public position | No public position |
| Kids online | No public position | No public position | Ban social media accounts for minorsVoted · medium |
| School vaccines | End school vaccine requirements; leave it to parentsQuestionnaire answer · medium | No public position | Keep requirements with simple personal-belief exemptionsOfficial action · medium |
| Nuclear power | No public position | No public position | Back new reactors with public funds, tax credits, and streamlined approvalsOfficial action · medium |
| Transgender athletes | Let each state, school or sports body decideQuestionnaire answer · medium | No public position | No, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsVoted · medium |
| DEI programs | No public position | No public position | Ban DEI offices and required training at public institutionsVoted · medium |
| Religion in schools | No public position | No public position | Support laws requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms and optional prayer periodsVoted · medium |
| China policy | No public position | No public position | Get tougher: broad tariffs, state bans on land purchases, and forced app salesOfficial action · medium |
Darren Hamilton
LibertarianSenior data architect
Darren Hamilton is the Libertarian candidate for Texas House District 57 in Denton County; he is a Marine veteran and senior data architect5. He ran for the same seat in 2024 and says his priorities are reducing government interference, cutting regulations and lowering taxes, protecting property rights, and decriminalizing non-violent offenses6513. He opposes public money for private schools and supports leaving abortion decisions to women, according to questionnaires he posted in 202432.
Where they stand 16 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Minimum wageGet rid of it; let employers and workers agree on paymedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In a 2024 questionnaire he said wages should be set by the market, with employers and workers free to negotiate without government interference. (2024) source
School vaccinesEnd school vaccine requirements; leave it to parentsmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In a 2024 questionnaire he said government mandates requiring vaccinations infringe on personal freedom, and that health decisions should be made by individuals. (2024) source
School choiceNo, keep public money in traditional public schoolsmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In a 2024 questionnaire he opposed allowing tax credits, vouchers or education savings accounts for private schools, saying they take money from public education. (2024) source
- In a 2024 questionnaire he strongly disagreed with funding programs where dollars follow the child, and said families who leave public schools should be freed from paying school taxes. (2024) source
- In a 2024 ATPE candidate survey he said he would not vote for or advocate any type of voucher program for non-public schools, saying vouchers take money from public education. (2024) source
Transgender athletesLet each state, school or sports body decidemedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In a 2024 questionnaire he was neutral on barring biological males from women's sports and said sports organizations should be free to set their own eligibility rules. (2024) source
Electoral CollegeKeep the Electoral College but award electors by congressional districtmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In a 2024 questionnaire he strongly disagreed with joining the National Popular Vote Compact and said he wants to eliminate winner-take-all in Texas, citing Maine and Nebraska. (2024) source
ImmigrationMuch more open immigration with less enforcementmedium
Said · medium confidence- In a 2024 questionnaire he disagreed that the U.S. should do more to secure the southern border, and called for a streamlined, less bureaucratic immigration system. (2024) source
- His campaign site says people with no history of violence should be welcome to immigrate, that he does not support classifying undocumented immigrants as criminals, and that legal channels should be made fair, reasonable and more accessible; he would block, deport or prosecute people with a record or plans of violence. (2026) source
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a 2024 iVoter Guide questionnaire he said a woman should have the right to decide for herself whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy, and that imposing restrictions on elective abortion infringes on individual rights and freedoms. (2024) source
- In a 2024 Alliance Defending Freedom questionnaire he opposed prohibiting abortion after a heartbeat is detected, saying each woman should decide without interference by governmental entities and that restrictions, which can be discussed, should be guidelines for doctors and patients and not set by any governmental entity. (2024) source
- His campaign website says the government, at any level, should have absolutely no authority on abortion and that the Texas heartbeat law should be repealed, while also saying he thinks both sides of the debate are wrong. (2026) source
Energy and climateAll of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets picklow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a 2024 questionnaire he said natural gas is the best option for growing electricity demand until nuclear fusion matures, and that market-driven innovation can address environmental issues better than strict regulation. (2024) source
Housing and growthLet the market build what is needed, with local reviewlow
Said · low confidence- In the 2026 Community Impact Q&A he said Texas needs homes and should build what is genuinely needed and remove unnecessary barriers while respecting people already there. (2026-09-17) source
GunsRemove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightlow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a 2024 iVoter Guide questionnaire he said access to firearms is crucial to self-defense, that excessive regulations infringe individual rights, and that overly restrictive gun laws reduce the ability of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves; he said properly trained and willing teachers should have the option to carry at school. (2024) source
- His campaign site says, speaking for Libertarians, that gun control laws are a measure of the government's control on the right to defend ourselves and our families, and that it is immoral for government to try to prevent someone from doing so. (2026) source
MarijuanaDecriminalize small amounts (fines, not jail)low
Said · low confidence- His campaign site says any law criminalizing cannabis possession is as ridiculous as one criminalizing possession of potpourri or mulch, and links his article on decriminalizing cannabis and other drugs. (2026) source
- In a campaign-site post about Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's January 31, 2024 lawsuit over city marijuana decriminalization policies he wrote that he has two points toward decriminalizing drug use: police should prioritize crimes such as human trafficking and domestic violence, and personal choices should not be controlled through law. (2024) source
Policing and crimeMajor reform: much less incarceration and a smaller role for policelow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a 2024 iVoter Guide questionnaire he disagreed with redirecting funds from police departments to community programs, and said he favors a more limited role for police in daily life, including decriminalizing certain offenses. (2024) source
- In a 2024 Denton Record-Chronicle questionnaire he said he would push for criminal justice reform that decriminalizes non-violent offenses and has law enforcement focus on protecting citizens. (2024) source
Business regulationCut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental ruleslow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a 2024 Denton Record-Chronicle questionnaire he said he would advocate eliminating unnecessary regulations that stifle local businesses. (2024) source
HealthcareMostly private market; roll back the government's rolelow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a 2024 iVoter Guide questionnaire he chose the answer that healthcare should be provided through the free market rather than government funding, while saying Medicare and Medicaid should remain available for the foreseeable future. (2024) source
- His campaign site says Libertarians favor free-market competition in healthcare and are often critical of Medicare and Medicaid. (2026) source
Curriculum and booksTeachers and librarians, as trained professionalslow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a 2024 ATPE candidate survey he said the state's role should be limited to guidance and general oversight, and that decisions about public school curricula and materials should stay with the individual school administration and its educators, in conjunction with parents. (2024) source
Gender care for minorsNo single answer fitslow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a 2024 questionnaire he said children should be protected from irreversible medical procedures they may not fully understand, which should be carried out only with the explicit consent of the individual involved, while also affirming parents' right to decide for their children. (2024) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Texas power grid, AI data centers, Property taxes, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Ray Stith
DemocratHuman resources executive and small business owner
Ray Stith is a Democrat from Argyle who works as a human resources executive and small business owner2. He is a U.S. Army combat veteran and West Point graduate, endorsed by VoteVets and the Texas Democratic Veterans Caucus24. His campaign priorities are fully funding public schools, infrastructure that keeps pace with growth, and support for veterans and military families23.
Where they stand 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceNo single answer fitslow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In the 2026 ATPE survey he said Texas must fully and reliably fund its public schools, traditional and charter, and that if education savings accounts are implemented they should be limited, transparent and held to the same accountability standards as public schools. (2026) source
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, 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.
Richard Hayes
Republican · IncumbentTexas 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 confidencePolicing 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 confidenceImmigrationSecure 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.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.