The legislative session has yet to begin, but the 2026 primary elections are already heating up as some incumbents face pressure from potential challengers.
One such incumbent is State Rep. Cody Harris (R–Palestine), who may soon have a challenger in Corsicana City Councilman Chris Woolsey.
Woolsey filed a campaign treasurer appointment with the Texas Ethics Commission on Monday, a required step before launching a campaign. While the paperwork does not specify which office Woolsey plans to seek, he confirmed to Texas Scorecard that he is considering a run against Harris.
At the center of Woolsey’s decision is Harris’ recent refusal to support State Rep. David Cook (R–Mansfield), the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House. Instead, Harris threw his support behind State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock), who has sought Democrat backing after losing the Republican nomination earlier this month.
As the official vote for Speaker approaches next month, Burrows’ list of Republican supporters has dwindled, leaving him with more public support from Democrats than Republicans.
The Republican Party of Texas has made clear it will seek to censure members who fail to vote for the party’s nominee for Speaker, which could result in removal from the primary ballot. Harris is now feeling pressure not only from grassroots activists but also from the state party.
Woolsey, for his part, says he hopes Harris will ultimately “make the right decision” when the vote takes place.
Harris isn’t alone in facing early primary pressure. Other incumbents supporting Burrows—such as State Reps. Cole Hefner, Will Metcalf, and Charlie Geren—are also seeing potential challengers emerge.
