Candidates & Elected Officials
Research candidates running for office in Bell County and Central Texas. Data sourced from FEC filings, campaign disclosures, and Ballotpedia. Rows marked Sample data are placeholders for layout until verified. View FEC Finance Report
Federal offices
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senator from Texas (Class II)
One of two senators representing Texas in the U.S. Senate. Votes on federal legislation, confirms presidential nominations, and ratifies treaties. Class II seat up for election in 2026.
- Term
- 6 years
- Election cycle
- Class II; this seat contested 2026
- Jurisdiction
- State of Texas
- Previous / current holder
- John Cornyn (R) — serving since 2002; in 2026 primary runoff with Ken Paxton
- Salary
- $174,000/year
John Cornyn
U.S. Senator from Texas (Class II)
Term expires: January 3, 2027
Status: Incumbent
Election: Primary runoff 2026
In May 2026 primary runoff against Ken Paxton for the Republican nomination.
Also running
Ken Paxton
Candidate for U.S. Senate, Texas (R)
Term expires: If elected — January 2033
Status: Candidate
Election: Primary runoff 2026
Incumbent Texas Attorney General through early January 2027 (successor sworn in). Not on the 2026 AG ballot — running in the May 2026 Republican primary runoff against Senator John Cornyn for U.S. Senate.
James Talarico
Candidate for U.S. Senate, Texas (D)
Term expires: If elected — January 2033
Status: Candidate
Election: General 2026
State representative and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in November 2026.
U.S. Senator from Texas (Class I)
One of two senators representing Texas in the U.S. Senate. Votes on federal legislation, confirms presidential nominations, and ratifies treaties.
- Term
- 6 years
- Election cycle
- Class I; next election 2030
- Jurisdiction
- State of Texas
- Previous / current holder
- Ted Cruz (R) — reelected November 2024, serving since 2013
- Salary
- $174,000/year
Ted Cruz
U.S. Senator from Texas (Class I)
Term expires: January 3, 2031
Status: Incumbent
Election: Seated
Reelected November 2024 for a third term. Not up for reelection until 2030.
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Representative, Texas 31st Congressional District
Represents Central Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives, including Bell and Williamson counties and surrounding areas. Votes on federal legislation, appropriations, and oversight.
- Term
- 2 years
- Election cycle
- Every even-numbered year
- Jurisdiction
- Bell, Williamson, and portions of surrounding counties
- Previous / current holder
- John Carter (R) — serving since 2003
- Salary
- $174,000/year
No candidates registered for this race yet.
TX-31: after the March 2026 primaries
Sources: NBC News 2026 TX-31 results, KTEN (Carter, GOP), Texas Secretary of State (official certification).
The March 2026 primaries narrowed each party to one nominee for U.S. House District 31. Republican: Incumbent John Carter won the GOP nomination with a majority in a large field (reported near 60%). Democratic: Justin Early won the nomination over Stuart Whitlow (reported ~57.6% / ~42.4%). The November 3, 2026 general is between those two nominees. This page lists only that incumbent and challenger; primary also-rans were removed from the data.
State offices
Statewide Executive
Governor of Texas
Chief executive of the State of Texas. Signs or vetoes legislation, commands the Texas National Guard, appoints agency heads and judges, and sets the legislative agenda through the State of the State address.
- Term
- 4 years
- Election cycle
- 2026 general (November 3): Greg Abbott (R) vs Gina Hinojosa (D); no term limits
- Jurisdiction
- State of Texas
- Previous / current holder
- Greg Abbott (R) — serving since January 2015
- Salary
- $153,750/year
Greg Abbott
Governor of Texas
Term expires: January 2027
Status: Incumbent
Election: General 2026
Incumbent Republican governor. On the November 2026 ballot against Democratic nominee Gina Hinojosa.
Also running
Gina Hinojosa
Democratic nominee for Governor of Texas
Term expires: If elected — January 2031
Status: Candidate
Election: General 2026
State representative (HD 49, Austin); Democratic nominee for governor. Faces incumbent Greg Abbott in November 2026.
Attorney General of Texas
Chief legal officer of Texas. Represents the state in litigation, issues advisory opinions on state law, enforces consumer-protection and antitrust statutes, and oversees the Crime Victims' Compensation program. Incumbent Ken Paxton is not seeking re-election as AG — he is running for U.S. Senate (runoff vs John Cornyn). AG term ends when the successor takes office in January 2027. Republican primary runoff May 26, 2026: Chip Roy vs Mayes Middleton. Democratic primary runoff May 26, 2026: Nathan Johnson vs Joe Jaworski. General election November 3, 2026 — nominees listed here after the runoffs.
- Term
- 4 years
- Election cycle
- Primary runoff May 26, 2026 · General November 3, 2026 (nominees after runoff)
- Jurisdiction
- State of Texas
- Previous / current holder
- Ken Paxton (R) — last elected AG; term ends January 2027; running for U.S. Senate, not AG
- Salary
- $153,750/year
Chip Roy
Candidate for Attorney General (R); U.S. Representative, TX-21
Term expires: TBD (after runoff)
Status: Candidate
Election: Primary runoff 2026
Republican primary runoff for Attorney General of Texas on May 26, 2026 — running against Mayes Middleton. General election November 3, 2026; nominees will be listed after the runoff.
Also running
Mayes Middleton
Candidate for Attorney General (R); Texas State Senator, SD 11
Term expires: TBD (after runoff)
Status: Candidate
Election: Primary runoff 2026
Republican primary runoff for Attorney General of Texas on May 26, 2026 — running against Chip Roy. General election November 3, 2026; nominees will be listed after the runoff.
Nathan Johnson
Candidate for Attorney General (D); Texas State Senator, SD 16
Term expires: TBD (after runoff)
Status: Candidate
Election: Primary runoff 2026
Democratic primary runoff for Attorney General of Texas on May 26, 2026 — running against Joe Jaworski. General election November 3, 2026; nominees will be listed after the runoff.
Joe Jaworski
Candidate for Attorney General (D); attorney, former Mayor of Galveston
Term expires: TBD (after runoff)
Status: Candidate
Election: Primary runoff 2026
Democratic primary runoff for Attorney General of Texas on May 26, 2026 — running against Nathan Johnson. General election November 3, 2026; nominees will be listed after the runoff.
Eliminated in primary (3)
Joan Huffman
Former candidate for Attorney General (R); Texas State Senator, SD 17
Term expires: —
Status: Eliminated
Election: Primary 2026
Longtime Houston-area senator and former Harris County felony court judge; former chair of Senate Redistricting. Eliminated in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary (about 15%). Headshot from Texas Senate official photo.
Aaron Reitz
Former candidate for Attorney General (R); attorney
Term expires: —
Status: Eliminated
Election: Primary 2026
Former deputy AG for legal strategy under Ken Paxton, Ted Cruz chief of staff, Marine veteran, and former Assistant Attorney General (Office of Legal Policy) at the U.S. Department of Justice. Eliminated in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary (about 14%). Photo from campaign site.
Tony Box
Former candidate for Attorney General (D); attorney
Term expires: —
Status: Eliminated
Election: Primary 2026
Dallas attorney; Army veteran (airborne), former FBI agent and assistant U.S. attorney, JAG officer deployed to Iraq, and former congressional investigator. Finished third in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary (about 25.5%). Image from campaign site meta/hero asset.
Texas Attorney General: candidate profiles
The May 26, 2026 primary runoff decides each party’s nominee; the general election is November 3, 2026. Nonpartisan biographies (education, experience, and campaign context) with sources:
- Chip Roy (Republican)
- Mayes Middleton (Republican)
- Nathan Johnson (Democrat)
- Joe Jaworski (Democrat)
Comptroller of Public Accounts of Texas
Texas's chief financial officer. Collects state taxes and fees, estimates revenue for the biennial budget (the Biennial Revenue Estimate), manages state investments, and certifies the state budget to ensure it is balanced. Glenn Hegar resigned in 2025; Kelly Hancock served as acting comptroller and lost the March 2026 Republican primary to Don Huffines. November 2026: Don Huffines (R) vs Sarah Eckhardt (D).
- Term
- 4 years
- Election cycle
- 2026 open seat — November 3: Don Huffines (R) vs Sarah Eckhardt (D)
- Jurisdiction
- State of Texas
- Previous / current holder
- Glenn Hegar (R) resigned July 2025; Kelly Hancock (acting) — not the November nominee
- Salary
- $153,750/year
Don Huffines
Republican nominee for Comptroller of Public Accounts of Texas
Term expires: If elected — January 2031
Status: Primary winner
Election: General 2026
Former state senator; won the March 2026 Republican primary outright over acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, Christi Craddick, and others. Faces Democrat Sarah Eckhardt in November 2026.
Campaign Finance
- Phillip Huffines (brother) — $3 million
- Protect Freedom PAC (affiliated with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul) — $500,000
- Andrew Beal (founder and owner of Beal Bank) — $100,000
Also running
Sarah Eckhardt
Democratic nominee for Comptroller of Public Accounts; Texas State Senator, SD 14
Term expires: If elected — January 2031
Status: Primary winner
Election: General 2026
State senator (Austin area); won the March 2026 Democratic primary. Faces Republican Don Huffines in November 2026.
Campaign Finance
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC — $5,000
- R. Stephen McNally, Austin lawyer — $10,000
Eliminated in primary (1)
Kelly Hancock
Former acting Comptroller; former Texas State Senator
Term expires: —
Status: Eliminated
Election: Primary 2026
Appointed acting comptroller after Glenn Hegar resigned; Governor Abbott’s preferred candidate in the March 2026 Republican primary. Lost handily to Don Huffines (reported ~23.7% vs ~57.4%).
Texas Senate
Texas State Senator, District 24
Represents Central Texas in the 31-member Texas Senate. Votes on state legislation, the biennial budget, and gubernatorial confirmations.
- Term
- 4 years
- Election cycle
- Staggered; this seat next contested 2026
- Jurisdiction
- Bell County and surrounding counties
- Previous / current holder
- Pete Flores (R)
- Salary
- $7,200/year + per diem
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Texas House of Representatives
Texas State Representative, District 54
Represents the district in the 150-member Texas House. Authors and votes on state legislation during biennial sessions.
- Term
- 2 years
- Election cycle
- Every even-numbered year
- Jurisdiction
- Bell County
- Previous / current holder
- Brad Buckley (R)
- Salary
- $7,200/year + per diem
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Comptroller primary (what deep-search would have synthesized)
Sources: 2026 Texas Comptroller election (Wikipedia), Texas Tribune — Huffines wins GOP primary, Austin American-Statesman / general matchup.
Office (why it mattered in 2026)
The Comptroller of Public Accounts is Texas’s chief financial officer: tax collection, revenue estimating (drives the Legislature’s budget process), disbursements, and oversight of large state spending. Texas Tribune notes the comptroller helps oversee execution of a very large biennial budget.
Why the seat was open
Glenn Hegar was elected comptroller in 2014 and reelected (including 2022). He resigned effective July 1, 2025 to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System (Wikipedia, Tribune).
Kelly Hancock (former state senator) became acting comptroller after being positioned as chief clerk and taking office in July 2025; the appointment followed a path around limits on appointing sitting legislators (Wikipedia, Tribune).
Republican primary — candidates and result
Candidates: Don Huffines, Kelly Hancock (acting), Christi Craddick (Railroad Commissioner), Michael Berlanga.
March 2026 primary vote totals (Wikipedia):
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Don Huffines | 1,191,830 | 57.4 |
| Kelly Hancock | 491,358 | 23.7 |
| Christi Craddick | 312,626 | 15.1 |
| Michael Berlanga | 80,985 | 3.9 |
No runoff — Huffines won outright.
Themes / money / endorsements (high level)
- Texas Tribune: Huffines cast himself as “DOGE-ing” state government, self-funded heavily, late Trump endorsement, plus Cruz and other MAGA-aligned figures; Abbott spent heavily for Hancock in the final stretch (~two-thirds of Hancock’s late spend from Abbott’s war chest in one cited report). Total spend among the top three was on the order of $16M vs. much less for Hegar’s 2022 primary at the same point.
- Hancock pitched implementation of school vouchers, ICE collaboration grants, and DEI-related contracting changes; Craddick also emphasized audits/waste and culture-war touchpoints. Tribune also notes legislature has narrowed some comptroller audit authority over time.
Democratic primary
Candidates: Sarah Eckhardt (state senator, SD-14), Savant Moore, Michael Lange.
Results (Wikipedia):
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Eckhardt | 1,317,024 | 64.1 |
| Savant Moore | 392,043 | 19.1 |
| Michael Lange | 346,484 | 16.9 |
Eckhardt switched from a congressional path to comptroller near the filing deadline (Wikipedia).
General election (November 3, 2026)
Don Huffines (R) vs. Sarah Eckhardt (D). Texas has not elected a Democratic comptroller since the 1990s (Tribune).
Libertarian line
Wikipedia lists Alonzo Echavarria-Garza as a declared Libertarian convention candidate.
County offices
District Attorney, 27th Judicial District
Prosecutes felony criminal cases in Bell County. The 27th Judicial District encompasses Bell County. The DA's office works with law enforcement, presents cases to grand juries, and represents the state in district court proceedings.
- Term
- 4 years
- Election cycle
- Partisan general election, even years
- Jurisdiction
- Bell County (27th Judicial District)
- Previous / current holder
- Stephanie Newell — District Attorney (per Bell County official site)
- Salary
- Set by state; supplemented by county
Stephanie Newell
District Attorney, 27th Judicial District
Term expires: January 2027
Status: Incumbent
Election: Primary 2026
District Attorney for the 27th Judicial District (Bell County), per Bell County government. Prosecutes felony cases in District Courts.
Bell County Commissioner, Precinct 4
Oversees roads, bridges, and county services in Precinct 4. Sits on the Commissioners Court. After the March 2026 primaries, the November general is incumbent Louie Minor (D) vs Curtis Emmons (R).
- Term
- 4 years
- Election cycle
- 2026 general (November 3): Minor (D) vs Emmons (R)
- Jurisdiction
- Bell County Precinct 4
- Previous / current holder
- Louie Minor (current incumbent)
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2
Small claims, Class C misdemeanors, truancy, evictions, and inquests for Precinct 4. Place 2 is one of two JP seats in this precinct.
- Term
- 4 years
- Election cycle
- Partisan general election
- Jurisdiction
- Bell County Precinct 4
- Previous / current holder
- Nicola James (seeking re-election)
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Municipal offices
Belton
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Belton — Mayor & City Council
Nonpartisan city government for Belton (county seat). Mayor, mayor pro tem, and council by place.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Belton
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Harker Heights
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Harker Heights — Mayor & City Council
Nonpartisan mayor-council government for Harker Heights.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Harker Heights
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Temple
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Temple — Mayor & City Council
Nonpartisan mayor and district council members.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Temple
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Killeen
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Killeen — Mayor & City Council (selected seats)
Nonpartisan city government. Listing shows mayor, mayor pro tem, and seated members listed in the Bell County city directory.
- Term
- 3 years (mayor and council)
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Killeen
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Nolanville
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Nolanville — Mayor & City Council
Nonpartisan mayor-council government for Nolanville.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Nolanville
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Salado
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Salado — Mayor & Board of Aldermen
Village government with mayor, mayor pro tem, and aldermen.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- Village of Salado
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Moody
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Moody — Mayor & Aldermen
Nonpartisan city government for Moody.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Moody
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Troy
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Troy — Mayor & City Council
Nonpartisan mayor-council government for Troy.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Troy
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Bartlett
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Bartlett — Mayor & City Council
Nonpartisan mayor-council government for Bartlett.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Bartlett
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Holland
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Holland — Mayor & City Council
Nonpartisan mayor-council government for Holland.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Holland
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Little River-Academy
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Little River-Academy — Mayor & City Council
Nonpartisan city government for Little River-Academy.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Little River-Academy
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Rogers
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Rogers — Mayor & City Council
Nonpartisan mayor-council government for Rogers.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Rogers
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Morgan's Point Resort
Mayor and council or aldermen — roster from the Bell County city directory (project _cities folder).
Morgan's Point Resort — Mayor & City Council
Nonpartisan mayor-council government for Morgan's Point Resort.
- Term
- Varies by seat
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; municipal elections (May)
- Jurisdiction
- City of Morgan's Point Resort
- Previous / current holder
- See roster in `_cities/bell_county.md`
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Education
State Board of Education, District 10
Sets curriculum standards, selects textbooks, and manages the Permanent School Fund for public schools across the district.
- Term
- 4 years
- Election cycle
- Partisan general election; next for this seat typically 2028
- Jurisdiction
- Multiple Central Texas counties
- Previous / current holder
- Tom Maynard (current incumbent)
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Central Texas College Board of Trustees, Place 1
Governs CTC, a community college serving the Killeen-Fort Cavazos area. Sets tuition, approves budgets, and oversees academic programs.
- Term
- 6 years
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; major elections in odd years
- Jurisdiction
- CTC taxing district
- Previous / current holder
- Jimmy D. Towers (current incumbent)
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Central Texas College Board of Trustees, Place 2
Governs CTC. Sets tuition, approves budgets, and oversees academic programs.
- Term
- 6 years
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; major elections in odd years
- Jurisdiction
- CTC taxing district
- Previous / current holder
- Charles Hollinger (current incumbent)
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Central Texas College Board of Trustees, Place 3
Governs CTC. Sets tuition, approves budgets, and oversees academic programs.
- Term
- 6 years
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; major elections in odd years
- Jurisdiction
- CTC taxing district
- Previous / current holder
- James A. Pierce Jr. (current incumbent)
No candidates registered for this race yet.
Central Texas College Board of Trustees, Place 4
Governs CTC. Sets tuition, approves budgets, and oversees academic programs.
- Term
- 6 years
- Election cycle
- Nonpartisan; major elections in odd years
- Jurisdiction
- CTC taxing district
- Previous / current holder
- Eric R. Armstrong (current incumbent)
No candidates registered for this race yet.