Janis Holt, who defeated incumbent Ernest Bailes in the Republican primary, is preparing to represent House District 18 with a focus on conservative reform and district-level priorities. Holt, a former public school teacher and school board member, says her campaign was driven by a desire to provide stronger conservative representation following redistricting.
“In the beginning, it was a redistricting issue—I wanted to run to represent our area,” Holt explained. “But once we realized that I was going to be in House District 18, I looked at Representative Bailes’ record and knew we needed someone more conservative and willing to get on board with Republican priorities. That’s why I stayed in the race.”
Holt emphasized the need to reform the culture in the Texas House, which she believes has long been dominated by leadership at the expense of members.
“The House, for too long, has been a top-dominated mechanism as opposed to a member-led organization,” Holt said. “We need to ban Democrat chairs, ensure the Republican majority stays in charge of committees, and have a speaker who is fair to all members, not just a select few. This will allow our bills to get a fair hearing on the House floor.”
Holt is also focusing on pressing issues unique to her district, including the Colony Ridge settlement, which she described as the largest illegal alien settlement in Texas.
“Colony Ridge is in my district, and it has placed enormous strain on local resources—schools, roads, county and city services,” Holt said. “We can’t undo what’s been done, but we can mitigate the impact and work to prevent further issues in the area. That’s a major priority for me.”
In addition to addressing Colony Ridge, Holt plans to prioritize school choice while maintaining a commitment to strengthening public education.
“As a former public school teacher and school board member, I appreciate and support our public schools,” Holt said. “But we also need to recognize that not every child thrives in a public school setting. Parents should have the opportunity to move their child to a different setting with some tax dollars following them to help with that process.”
When asked how her constituents should hold her accountable, Holt stressed the importance of communication and transparency.
“Frequently and in any way possible,” Holt said. “I’ve said throughout my campaign and since being elected that I expect my constituents to hold me accountable. I plan to make my stances public, and if they have concerns about a decision I’ve made, I encourage them to reach out to my office. My door is always open, and I’m here to represent them.”
Holt also highlighted her commitment to supporting a reformed Texas House under Representative David Cook as the next speaker.
“If I have better representation in the House, then my constituents have better representation in the House,” Holt said. “That’s the goal.”
