Texas general election: November 3, 2026
Who is running for State Senator, District 19 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for State Senator, District 19 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Texas Senate District 19.
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 | Roland GutierrezDemocrat | Marcus CardenasRepublican |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Keep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenOfficial action · low | No public position |
| Guns | All of that, plus ban assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazinesOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Texas power grid | Pay for more backup natural gas plantsVoted · medium | No public position |
| School choice | No, keep public money in traditional public schoolsVoted · medium | No single answer fits; see evidence |
| Property taxes | No single answer fits; see evidence | Keep cutting them and cap how fast they can riseQuestionnaire answer · low |
| Policing and crime | No public position | Tougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailSaid · medium |
| Election rules | Easier access: automatic registration and mail voting for anyoneOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Marijuana | Legalize and regulate it like alcoholOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Redistricting | Independent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderingOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Term limits | Yes, strict limits, such as three House terms and two Senate termsOfficial action · low | No public position |
| Qualified immunity | No, end it for police so officers or departments can be sued for rights violationsOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Childcare and pre-K | Offer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Nuclear power | Back new reactors with public funds, tax credits, and streamlined approvalsVoted · medium | No public position |
Roland Gutierrez
Democrat · IncumbentState Senator, Texas Senate District 19
Roland Gutierrez is a San Antonio Democrat and attorney who was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2020 after serving in the Texas House and on the San Antonio City Council1. He founded the Gutierrez Law Firm, which specializes in immigration law2. He faces Republican Marcus Cardenas on Nov. 3, 20263.
Where they stand 23 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
GunsAll of that, plus ban assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazinesmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Voted no on HB 1927 (2021), which allows adults to carry a handgun without a license; it passed the Senate 18 to 13. (2021-05-05) source
- Authored SB 1274 (2023), the Robb Elementary Firearm Safety Act, which as introduced bans certain assault weapons, regulates firearm transfers and adds to protective order rules. (2023-03) source
- Filed the same Robb Elementary Firearm Safety Act as SB 7 in the 2023 first called session. (2023-05) source
- Filed the same Robb Elementary Firearm Safety Act as SB 5 in the 2023 second called session. (2023-06) source
- Filed the same Robb Elementary Firearm Safety Act as SB 73 in the 2023 third called session. (2023-10) source
- Filed the same Robb Elementary Firearm Safety Act again as SB 1658 (2025). (2025-03) source
- Voted no on the House amendment to SB 1362 (2025), which bars Texas from adopting or enforcing red flag laws; the Senate concurred 20 to 11. (2025-05-30) source
Election rulesEasier access: automatic registration and mail voting for anyonemedium
Official action · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 1 (2021, second called session), the election law overhaul that added mail ballot ID rules and limited some voting options; it passed the Senate 18 to 11. (2021-08-11) source
- Was a joint author of SB 65 (2021, second called session), relating to early voting by mail by any qualified voter. (2021-08) source
- Was a joint author of SB 66 (2021, second called session), relating to automatic voter registration on issuance or change of a driver's license or identification card. (2021-08) source
- Voted no on SB 16 (2025), which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote; it passed the Senate 20 to 11. (2025-04-01) source
- Was a joint author of SB 145 (2025), relating to early voting by mail by any qualified voter. (2025-02) source
RedistrictingIndependent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderingmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 6 (2021), the 2021 congressional map; it passed the Senate 18 to 13. (2021-10-08) source
- Was a joint author of SJR 3 (2025, first called session), proposing a constitutional amendment establishing an independent redistricting commission for Congress and the Texas Legislature. (2025-07) source
- Was a joint author of SJR 2 (2025, second called session), the same independent redistricting commission amendment. (2025-08) source
- Voted no on HB 4 (2025, second called session), which redrew Texas U.S. House districts; it passed the Senate 18 to 11. (2025-08-22) source
Texas power gridPay for more backup natural gas plantsmedium
Voted · medium confidenceSchool choiceNo, keep public money in traditional public schoolsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- In his 2020 ATPE candidate survey he said he would absolutely vote against any voucher, scholarship or education savings account program for private schools, is strongly against charter schools, and said the number of charter schools should be reduced. (2020) source
- Voted no on SB 8 (2023), an earlier education savings account bill; it passed the Senate 18 to 13. (2023-04-06) source
- Voted no on SB 2 (2025), which created a state education savings account program that can pay for private school; it passed the Senate 19 to 12. (2025-02-05) source
MarijuanaLegalize and regulate it like alcoholmedium
Official action · medium confidence- In his 2020 ATPE candidate survey he said he had crafted a comprehensive cannabis legalization bill and planned to propose it, with the revenue going to public education. (2020) source
- Authored SB 140 (2021), the Real Solutions Act, relating to the regulation and taxation of the cultivation, sale, possession and use of cannabis. (2021-03) source
- Was a joint author of SB 54 (2025, first called session), relating to the regulation, possession, use and taxation of cannabis and cannabis products, including expunction of records relating to certain decriminalized conduct. (2025-07) source
- Was a joint author of SB 31 (2025, second called session), the same cannabis regulation and taxation bill with expunction of records relating to certain decriminalized conduct. (2025-08) source
- Voted yes on the final version of SB 3 (2025), which would have banned most consumable hemp products containing THC; the Senate approved it 25 to 6 and the governor later vetoed it. (2025-05-25) source
Nuclear powerBack new reactors with public funds, tax credits, and streamlined approvalsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 14 (2025), which created the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office and a fund with grant programs to support new nuclear development; it passed the Senate 26 to 5. (2025-05-27) source
Qualified immunityNo, end it for police so officers or departments can be sued for rights violationsmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Authored SB 575 (2023), relating to a cause of action for deprivation of rights; as introduced it states that qualified immunity is not a defense for peace officers. (2023-02) source
Childcare and pre-KOffer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Authored SJR 80 (2025), a proposed constitutional amendment dedicating some of the interest in the permanent school fund to universal prekindergarten and the school safety allotment. (2025-03) source
Term limitsYes, strict limits, such as three House terms and two Senate termslow
Official action · low confidence- Authored SB 596 (2023), relating to term limitation for United States Senators from Texas; as introduced no one who has served two terms could run again. (2023-02) source
HealthcareKeep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenlow
Official action · low confidence- Was a joint author of SB 125 (2023), relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (2023-02) source
- Was a joint author of SB 255 (2025), relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (2025-02) source
AbortionNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on the final version of SB 8 (2021), the Texas Heartbeat Act; the Senate concurred 18 to 12. (2021-05-13) source
- Voted no on HB 1280 (2021), the law banning abortion if Roe v. Wade was overturned; it passed the Senate 19 to 12. (2021-05-25) source
- Voted no on SB 33 (2025), which bars local governments from funding travel or logistical support for abortions; it passed the Senate 22 to 9. (2025-04-16) source
Transgender athletesNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on HB 25 (2021, third called session), which requires K-12 athletes to compete based on sex assigned at birth; it passed the Senate 19 to 12. (2021-10-15) source
- Voted no on the final version of SB 15 (2023), which requires college athletes to compete based on biological sex; the Senate concurred 19 to 12. (2023-05-26) source
DEI programsNo single answer fitsmedium
China policyNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidenceGender care for minorsNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on the final version of SB 14 (2023), which bans gender transition procedures and treatments for minors; the Senate approved it 19 to 12. (2023-05-17) source
Curriculum and booksNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on HB 900 (2023), which regulates library materials sold to or kept in public school libraries; it passed the Senate 19 to 12. (2023-05-23) source
- Voted no on SB 13 (2025), which creates local school library advisory councils and expands parental rights over school library materials; it passed the Senate 23 to 8. (2025-03-19) source
ImmigrationNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 4 (2023, fourth called session), which made illegal entry into Texas a state crime; it passed the Senate 17 to 11. (2023-11-09) source
- Voted no on SB 8 (2025), which requires certain sheriffs to seek agreements with ICE; the Senate adopted the final version 20 to 11. (2025-05-31) source
Religion in schoolsNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 11 (2025), which lets school boards set a period for prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts; it passed the Senate 23 to 7. (2025-03-18) source
- Voted no on SB 10 (2025), which requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms; the Senate approved the final version 21 to 10. (2025-05-28) source
Energy and climateNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 388 (2025), which set goals for new generation to come from dispatchable sources such as natural gas; it passed the Senate 18 to 13. (2025-03-19) source
- Voted yes on SB 819 (2025), which added permit rules and fees for renewable energy generation facilities; it passed the Senate 25 to 6. (2025-04-15) source
Housing and growthNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 840 (2025), which limits city rules that block mixed-use and multifamily housing in commercial areas; it passed the Senate 23 to 7. (2025-03-24) source
School vaccinesNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on the final version of HB 1586 (2025), which requires the state to post the school vaccine exemption affidavit form online; it passed the Senate 23 to 8. (2025-05-25) source
Property taxesNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 10 (2025, second called session), which lowered the voter-approval tax rate limit for certain local taxing units; it passed the Senate 18 to 12. (2025-08-19) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, AI data centers, Policing and crime, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, E-Verify mandate.
Marcus Cardenas
RepublicanOwner, Vertex Concrete
Marcus Cardenas, 39, is a Southside San Antonio native who owns a concrete company1. His campaign site says he built Vertex Concrete, which has served District 19 for more than a decade2. He faces Democratic incumbent Roland Gutierrez on Nov. 3, 20263.
Where they stand 3 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Policing and crimeTougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says he opposes any effort to defund the police, will work to strengthen penalties for violent criminals and wants police to have the resources they need. (2026) source
Property taxesKeep cutting them and cap how fast they can riselow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In the San Antonio Report 2026 voter guide he said he wants to explore lowering the age for certain property tax exemptions from 65 to 55 and to grow the economy and tax base so the state relies less on property taxes. (2026) source
School choiceNo single answer fitsmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In the San Antonio Report 2026 voter guide he said education savings accounts should be implemented with strong transparency and accountability, with clear standards, financial oversight and regular reviews. (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, Housing and growth, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.