Texas general election: November 3, 2026
Who is running for State Representative District 59 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for State Representative District 59 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Texas House District 59.
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 | Andrew TurnerDemocrat | Shelby SlawsonRepublican |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Keep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenSaid · low | No public position |
| Abortion | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestSaid · low | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestVoted · medium |
| Guns | Keep current laws and enforce what is already on the booksSaid · low | Remove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightVoted · medium |
| Immigration | No public position | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadyVoted · medium |
| Texas power grid | No public position | Pay for more backup natural gas plantsVoted · medium |
| AI data centers | Allow them case by case, with strict local rules on siting, noise and waterSaid · medium | No single answer fits; see evidence |
| 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 | Keep cutting them and cap how fast they can riseSaid · low | Keep cutting them and cap how fast they can riseVoted · 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 ballotsVoted · medium |
| Gender care for minors | No public position | No, ban these treatments for minorsVoted · medium |
| Redistricting | No public position | State legislatures draw maps and may redraw any time, including for partisan advantageVoted · medium |
| Mandatory minimums | No public position | Add or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingVoted · medium |
| Kids online | No public position | Also require safe-by-default design and a legal duty of careVoted · medium |
| School vaccines | No public position | Keep requirements with simple personal-belief exemptionsVoted · low |
| 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 institutionsVoted · medium |
| 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 |
Andrew Turner
DemocratAircraft production supervisor, Texas Air National Guard
Andrew Turner is a Democrat from Arlington who works as an aircraft production supervisor with the Texas Air National Guard1. He holds a bachelor's and a master's degree from Tarleton State University1. He faces Republican incumbent Shelby Slawson on Nov. 3, 20262.
Where they stand 6 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceNo, keep public money in traditional public schoolsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says he will end the "voucher scam" and fight any attempt to divert public funds from rural schools, adding that tax dollars should not subsidize private schools. (2026) source
AI data centersAllow them case by case, with strict local rules on siting, noise and watermedium
Said · medium confidence- In a campaign essay he calls the state data center tax abatement law (HB 5) a giveaway, says tax incentives should be negotiated locally and tied to community benefits such as grid stability and water recycling, and says the state should fund the local costs it imposes. (2026) source
HealthcareKeep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenlow
Said · low confidence- His campaign site says the state should expand Medicaid and Medicare to bring federal dollars back to Texas and keep rural hospitals open, alongside nonprofit insurance options for veterans, first responders and teachers. (2026) source
GunsKeep current laws and enforce what is already on the bookslow
Said · low confidence- In a campaign essay he proposes a voluntary, state-funded firearm safety training program and says it is not about taking rights away. (2026) source
AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestlow
Property taxesKeep cutting them and cap how fast they can riselow
Said · low confidence- His campaign site says he will create property tax exemptions for retired first responders, teachers and veterans while eliminating exemptions for for-profit corporations. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Immigration, Energy and climate, Texas power grid, Curriculum and books, 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.
Shelby Slawson
Republican · IncumbentState Representative, Texas House District 59
Shelby Slawson is a Republican who has represented Texas House District 59 since the 87th Legislature in 20211. She is an attorney and small business owner in Stephenville1. Her campaign site lists her as vice chair of the Texas House Republican Caucus2. She faces Democrat Andrew Turner on Nov. 3, 20263.
Where they stand 21 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceYes, universal school choice for every familymedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on the Raney amendment, which removed the education savings account (voucher) program from HB 1; the House adopted it 84 to 63. (2023-11-17) source
- Voted yes on SB 2, which created a state education savings account program that can pay for private school; the House passed it 86 to 61. (2025-04-17) source
AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Authored HB 1165 (2021), relating to prohibiting abortions after detection of an unborn child's heartbeat. (2021) source
- Authored HB 1515 (2021), relating to abortion, including abortions after detection of an unborn child's heartbeat. (2021) source
- Authored HJR 80 (2021), proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that the Texas Constitution does not secure or protect the right to an abortion. (2021) source
- Voted yes on SB 8, the Texas Heartbeat Act, which bans most abortions after cardiac activity is detected and is enforced through private lawsuits; it passed the House 83 to 64. (2021-05-06) source
- Voted yes on HB 1280, the law banning abortion if Roe v. Wade was overturned, with an exception only to save the life or a major bodily function of the mother; it passed the House 81 to 61. (2021-05-06) source
- Voted yes on HB 7, which set prohibitions on making and providing abortion-inducing drugs and allows private lawsuits; it passed the House 82 to 48. (2025-08-28) source
- Her campaign site says she carried the Texas Heartbeat Act (SB 8) in the House and calls it the most significant pro-life bill in Texas history. (2026) source
GunsRemove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Was a joint author of HB 1094 (2021), relating to authorizing certain persons to carry a handgun without a license. (2021) source
- Voted yes on the final version of HB 1927, which allows adults to carry handguns without a license; the House adopted it 82 to 62. (2021-05-23) source
- Her campaign site lists defense of Second Amendment rights among the victories she helped win. (2026) source
Election rulesStrict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Authored HB 2486 (2021), relating to the verification of citizenship of an applicant for voter registration. (2021) source
- Authored HB 2253 (2021), relating to the cancellation of a person's voter registration on notice that the person has acknowledged that the person is not a citizen. (2021) source
- Authored HB 3424 (2021), relating to organized election fraud activity. (2021) source
- Voted yes on the final version of SB 1 (2021), the election law overhaul that added ID requirements for mail ballots and banned drive-through and 24-hour voting; the House adopted it 80 to 41. (2021-08-31) source
Transgender athletesNo, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Was a joint author of HB 1458 (2021), relating to the separation based on biological sex of athletics teams sponsored by a public school or institution of higher education. (2021) source
- Was a joint author of HB 4042 (2021), relating to requiring public school students to participate in interscholastic athletic activities based on biological sex. (2021) source
- Voted yes on HB 25, which requires K-12 athletes to compete based on biological sex; it passed the House 76 to 54. (2021-10-14) source
- Voted yes on SB 15, which requires college athletes at public universities to compete based on biological sex; it passed the House 95 to 50. (2023-05-18) source
Gender care for minorsNo, ban these treatments for minorsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Authored HB 888 (2023), relating to the statute of limitations on a health care liability claim involving certain gender modification drugs provided to and procedures performed on a minor. (2023) source
- Voted yes on SB 14, which banned gender transition procedures and treatments for minors; the House passed it 87 to 56. (2023-05-15) source
- Authored HB 1088 (2025), relating to the statute of limitations on a health care liability claim involving certain gender modification drugs provided to and procedures performed on a minor. (2025) source
DEI programsBan DEI offices and required training at public institutionsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 17, 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, 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
Religion in schoolsSupport laws requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms and optional prayer periodsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 11, 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
- Voted yes on SB 10, which requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms; it passed the House 82 to 46. (2025-05-25) source
China policyGet tougher: broad tariffs, state bans on land purchases, and forced app salesmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 17, 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
ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium
Voted · medium confidence- Authored HB 138 (2023, third called session), relating to the enforcement within this state of certain federal laws regarding immigration. (2023) source
- Voted yes on SB 4, 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, which requires certain sheriffs to enter agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law; it passed the House 86 to 47. (2025-05-25) source
Texas power gridPay for more backup natural gas plantsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 2627, which created state loans for new or upgraded dispatchable power plants; it passed the House 118 to 23. (2023-05-23) source
Mandatory minimumsAdd or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 6, which created new offenses and increased criminal penalties for certain fentanyl-related offenses; it passed the House 124 to 21. (2023-04-28) source
RedistrictingState legislatures draw maps and may redraw any time, including for partisan advantagemedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 4, the 2025 mid-decade redrawing of Texas congressional districts; it passed the House 88 to 52. (2025-08-20) source
Property taxesKeep cutting them and cap how fast they can risemedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 10 in the 2025 second special session, which lowered the voter-approval tax rate limit for certain local governments; it passed the House 78 to 52 but did not become law. (2025-08-25) source
Policing and crimeTougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Authored HB 1950 (2021), relating to the control and funding of law enforcement and public safety services in certain political subdivisions. (2021) source
- Authored HB 3935 (2021), relating to the distribution of municipal sales and use tax revenue to a municipality that reduces the funding allocated to law enforcement agencies. (2021) source
- Voted yes on HB 1900, which penalizes large cities that cut police budgets; it passed the House 90 to 49. (2021-05-07) source
- Voted yes on SB 9, which tightened bail procedures and regulated charitable bail groups; it passed the House 118 to 25. (2025-05-20) source
Kids onlineAlso require safe-by-default design and a legal duty of caremedium
Voted · medium confidence- Authored HB 18 (2023), relating to the protection of minors from harmful, deceptive, or unfair trade practices in connection with the use of certain digital services and electronic devices. (2023) source
- Voted yes on the final version of HB 18 (2023), which requires digital services to verify users' ages, give parents tools and limit harmful content for minors; the House approved it 120 to 21. (2023-05-28) source
- Voted no on HB 186, which would have prohibited minors from using social media platforms; it passed the House 116 to 25 but did not become law. (2025-04-30) source
Curriculum and booksParents, including the right to remove material they object tomedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 900, which regulated library materials sold to or kept in public school libraries; it passed the House 95 to 52. (2023-04-20) source
- Voted yes on SB 13, 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 the final version of SB 13 (2025), which set up local school library advisory councils and gave parents more say over school library materials; the House approved it 81 to 48. (2025-05-31) source
School vaccinesKeep requirements with simple personal-belief exemptionslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted yes on HB 1586, which made the school vaccine exemption affidavit form easier to obtain; it passed the House 83 to 54. (2025-05-14) source
AI data centersNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 6, 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
MarijuanaNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on HB 441 (2021), which reduced criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana; it passed the House 88 to 40 but not the Senate. (2021-04-30) source
- Voted no on HB 218 (2023), which reduced criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana; it passed the House 87 to 59 but not the Senate. (2023-04-27) source
- Voted no 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, which would have banned most consumable hemp-derived THC products; it passed the House 87 to 54 and was later vetoed by the governor. (2025-05-22) 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; it passed the House 86 to 43. (2025-05-28) source
- Voted yes on the final version of SB 15 (2025), which bars certain large cities from requiring large minimum lot sizes for new homes; the House approved it 78 to 57. (2025-06-01) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, 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, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.