Texas general election: November 3, 2026
Who is running for State Senator, District 3 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for State Senator, District 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Texas Senate District 3.
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 | Trent AshbyRepublican | Bobby TillmanDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestVoted · medium | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · low |
| Guns | Remove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightVoted · medium | No public position |
| Immigration | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadyVoted · medium | No public position |
| Texas power grid | Pay for more backup natural gas plantsVoted · medium | No public position |
| AI data centers | Welcome them, but make them pay their full share of grid and water costsVoted · low | No single answer fits; see evidence |
| School choice | No single answer fits; see evidence | No, keep public money in traditional public schoolsSaid · medium |
| Curriculum and books | Parents, including the right to remove material they object toVoted · medium | No public position |
| Property taxes | Keep cutting them and cap how fast they can riseSaid · medium | Eliminate school property taxes and replace them with sales tax or state moneySaid · medium |
| Housing and growth | Allow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downVoted · low | No public position |
| Policing and crime | Tougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailVoted · medium | No public position |
| Election rules | Strict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotsVoted · medium | No public position |
| Marijuana | No single answer fits; see evidence | Medical use onlySaid · low |
| Gender care for minors | No, ban these treatments for minorsVoted · medium | No public position |
| Redistricting | State legislatures draw maps and may redraw any time, including for partisan advantageVoted · medium | No public position |
| Kids online | Ban social media accounts for minorsVoted · medium | No public position |
| School vaccines | Keep requirements with simple personal-belief exemptionsOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| E-Verify mandate | Require it for all employersOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Transgender athletes | No, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsVoted · medium | No public position |
| DEI programs | Ban DEI offices and required training at public institutionsVoted · medium | No public position |
| Religion in schools | Support laws requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms and optional prayer periodsVoted · medium | No public position |
| China policy | Get tougher: broad tariffs, state bans on land purchases, and forced app salesVoted · medium | No public position |
Trent Ashby
RepublicanState Representative, Texas House District 9
Trent Ashby is a Republican who represents Texas House District 9 in the Texas House and is running for the Texas Senate seat in District 312. He lists his work as a state representative and as a senior vice president at Vera Bank, and he holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M2. He faces Democrat Bobby Tillman on Nov. 3, 20263.
Where they stand 22 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Election rulesStrict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on the final version of SB 1 (2021, second called session), the election law that added ID requirements for mail ballots and banned drive-through and 24-hour voting; the House adopted the conference committee report 80 to 41. (2021-08-31) source
- Is listed as a House cosponsor of SB 1 (2021, second called session), relating to election integrity and security, including by preventing fraud in the conduct of elections in this state; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses. (2021) source
GunsRemove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on the final version of HB 1927 (2021), which allows adults 21 and older to carry handguns without a license; the House adopted the conference committee report 82 to 62. (2021-05-23) source
- Is listed as a House coauthor of HB 1927 (2021), relating to provisions governing the carrying of a firearm by a person who is 21 years of age or older and not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing the firearm and to other provisions related to the carrying, possessing, transporting, or storing of a firearm or other weapon; creating criminal offenses. (2021) source
AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 1280 (2021), 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
- Is listed as a House coauthor of HB 1280 (2021), relating to prohibition of abortion. (2021) source
- Voted yes on SB 8 (2021), 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
- Is listed as a House cosponsor of SB 8 (2021), relating to abortion, including abortions after detection of an unborn child's heartbeat. (2021) 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 5510 (2025), relating to abortion, including civil liability for distribution of abortion-inducing drugs. (2025) 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
DEI programsBan DEI offices and required training at public institutionsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- 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
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
- Is 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
Transgender athletesNo, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 25 (2021, third called session), which requires K-12 athletes to compete based on biological sex; it passed the House 76 to 54. (2021-10-14) source
- Is listed as a House coauthor of HB 25 (2021, third called session), relating to requiring public school students to compete in interscholastic athletic competitions based on biological sex. (2021) source
- 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
Gender care for minorsNo, ban these treatments for minorsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- 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
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
ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium
Voted · medium confidence- 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
- Is listed as a House cosponsor of SB 8 (2025), relating to agreements between certain sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and a grant program to cover the costs of implementing those agreements. (2025) 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 HB 1900 (2021), which penalizes large cities that cut police budgets; it passed the House 90 to 49. (2021-05-07) source
- Is listed as a House coauthor of HB 1900 (2021), relating to municipalities that adopt budgets that defund municipal police departments. (2021) source
- 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
Kids onlineBan social media accounts for minorsmedium
Voted · medium confidenceTexas 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 confidenceProperty taxesKeep cutting them and cap how fast they can risemedium
Said · medium confidence- In a February 2026 voter guide he said the Legislature should keep raising homestead exemptions and compressing school M&O taxes, and he would file legislation to reform appraisals. (2026-02) 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
E-Verify mandateRequire it for all employersmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Is listed as a House coauthor of HB 3210 (2025), relating to requiring state contractors, political subdivisions of this state, and private employers to participate in the federal electronic verification of employment authorization program, or E-verify. (2025) source
Housing and growthAllow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downlow
Voted · low confidence- Voted yes 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 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 adopted the conference committee report 78 to 57. (2025-06-01) source
AI data centersWelcome them, but make them pay their full share of grid and water costslow
Voted · low confidence- 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
School choiceNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes 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
- 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 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
MarijuanaNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on HB 441 (2021), which reduced the penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana; it passed the House 88 to 40. (2021-04-30) source
- 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 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, 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.
Bobby Tillman
DemocratPrivate citizen
Bobby Tillman is a Democrat and a sixth-generation Texan who spent more than 40 years in the commercial flooring business and the last 15 years raising beef cattle in East Texas1. His campaign site describes him as a working Texan, not a career politician1. He faces Republican Trent Ashby 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 fight to stop school vouchers, which drain money from public schools, and to raise the student allotment. (2026) source
Property taxesEliminate school property taxes and replace them with sales tax or state moneymedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says he wants to eliminate property taxes on residential homes and fully fund schools with state money, and his "Schools First & Homes First" plan would eliminate the school district property tax on homesteads. (2026) source
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low
Said · low confidence- His campaign site says reproductive healthcare is a private matter between a woman and her doctor and that the government has no business in that exam room. (2026) source
MarijuanaMedical use onlylow
Said · low confidence- His campaign site calls for access to medical cannabis for veterans and for elderly and disabled Texans. (2026) source
AI data centersNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site calls for data center regulations including five-mile buffer zones from homes and livestock operations, no tax abatements or incentives, no secret deals, and zero tolerance for pollution, noise or forever chemicals in water. (2026) source
Minimum wageNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says he wants a minimum wage people can actually live on. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Business regulation, Healthcare, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, Texas power grid, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, 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.