A previous version of this article said there are 15 incoming Republican freshman. There are 17, with Charles Cunningham winning HD 127, and Carl Tepper winning automatically in HD 84.
As Republicans maintain a majority in the Texas House of 86-64—and after a higher-than-usual turnover due to redistricting—these 17 incoming freshmen will make up more than 15 percent of Republican legislators in the House.
Angelia Orr
In House District 13, Orr replaces outgoing State Rep. Ben Leman (R–Anderson), who chose not to run for re-election. A former district director for State Rep. Cody Harris (R–Palestine), Orr received endorsements from several incumbent lawmakers, the Texas Farm Bureau’s AgFund, and the Texas Realtors PAC.
Her central campaign messages echo rural values such as supporting a pro-family culture, cutting property taxes, improving public education, as well as gun and private property rights.
Stan Gerdes
In House District 17, Gerdes is replacing John Cyrier (R–Lockhart), who chose not to run for re-election. A former staffer to then-Texas Governor Rick Perry, Gerdes also worked as a senior advisor for the Trump administration during Perry’s tenure as secretary of energy. Gerdes received endorsements from multiple incumbent lawmakers, Perry, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Gerdes’ central campaign messaging suggests he will be a supporter of Texas business and energy. He also promoted basic family values as well as securing the border and finishing Trump’s border wall.
Ellen Troxclair
In House District 19, which used to be located in East Texas and served by State Rep. James White, Troxclair will serve the newly created district located west of Austin. A former Austin city councilwoman and small-business woman, Troxclair received the endorsements of many incumbent lawmakers and organizations such as Texas Right to Life, Young Conservatives of Texas, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Troxclair elevated issues such as securing the border and defending families throughout her campaign, as well as lowering property taxes and prohibiting vaccine mandates.
Terri Leo-Wilson
In House District 23, Leo-Wilson is replacing State Rep. Mayes Middleton (R–Wallisville), who has won a seat in the Texas Senate. A former member of the Texas State Board of Education, Leo-Wilson received the endorsements of many incumbent lawmakers as well as organizations such as Texas Right to Life, Young Conservatives of Texas, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Leo-Wilson prioritized fighting back against the Biden administration’s leftist agenda by securing the border and banning critical race theory indoctrination in public schools during her campaign. Eliminating property taxes, enhancing election security, and banning vaccine mandates were also central to Leo-Wilson’s campaign.
Janie Lopez
In House District 37, Lopez flipped the Rio Grande Valley-area seat formerly held by Alex Dominguez (D–San Antonio) after redistricting moved the boundaries to favor Republicans. A former school board trustee, Lopez received the endorsements of Texas Right to Life and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Lopez’s campaign highlighted local issues such as corruption, a lack of funding, and transgender indoctrination in public schools. Pro-business, pro-energy, and pro-family policies were also hallmarks of her campaign.
Caroline Harris
In House District 52, Harris is replacing James Talarico (D–Round Rock) after the district was redrawn to favor Republicans. A former legislative staffer for State Sen. Byran Hughes (R–Mineola), Harris received the endorsements of Texas Right to Life, Young Conservatives of Texas, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Harris’ campaign focused on her work for Hughes, highlighting issues such as border security, election integrity, and pro-life and pro-family legislation.
Richard Hayes
In House District 57, which was moved from East Texas where it was represented by Trent Ashby (R–Lufkin) to North of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Hayes will represent the newly created district. A lawyer, Hayes received the endorsement of Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Hayes campaigned against the Biden administration’s radical leftist agenda and focused on border security, election integrity, and school choice for families.
Frederick Frazier
In House District 61, Frazier is replacing Phil King (R–Weatherford), who won a seat in the Senate. A policeman, Frazier received the endorsements of multiple law enforcement unions, many incumbent lawmakers, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform. Frazier is currently under indictment for impersonating a code compliance officer, and the Dallas Morning News recently reported that Frazier is listed on the Dallas County district attorney’s Brady List—a list of officers who won’t be asked to testify due to integrity issues that would have to be admitted to in court.
Frazier focused his campaign on funding and protecting schools, creating a pro-business environment, and lowering property taxes.
Ben Bumgarner
In House District 63, Bumgarner is replacing Tan Parker (R–Flower Mound), who won a seat in the Senate. A former Flower Mound city councilman, Bumgarner received the endorsements of multiple incumbent lawmakers, the Associated Republicans of Texas, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Bumgarner prioritized cutting spending and lowering property taxes during his campaign, as well as increasing education funding, protecting Texas energy, and supporting law enforcement.
Kronda Thimesch
In House District 65, Thimesch is replacing State Rep. Michelle Beckley (D–Carrollton) after the district was redrawn to favor Republicans. A small-business woman and former school board member, Thimesch received endorsements from multiple incumbent lawmakers, the Associated Republicans of Texas, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Thimesch focused her campaign message on funding education and supporting a pro-business environment.
Carrie Isaac
In House District 73, Isaac is replacing Kyle Biedermann (R–Fredericksburg), who chose not to run for re-election. A nonprofit leader and wife of former State Rep. Jason Isaac, she received endorsements from multiple incumbent lawmakers, Texas Right to Life, and Young Conservatives of Texas.
Isaac’s campaign focused on fighting federal overreach, securing the border, lowering property taxes, and supporting pro-family, pro-America policies.
Carl Tepper
In House District 84, Carl Tepper replaces State Rep. John Frullo (R-Lubbock), who did not run for re-elections. Former Chairman of the Lubbock County Republican Party, Tepper received the endorsements of multiple incumbent lawmakers, the Young Conservatives of Texas, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Tepper campaigned on border security, election integrity, gun rights, lowering property taxes, and protecting life.
Stan Kitzman
In House District 85, Kitzman is replacing State Rep. Phil Stephenson (R–Wharton). A former Waller County commissioner, Kitzman received the endorsements of multiple incumbent lawmakers, Texas Business PAC, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Kitzman ran his campaign on fighting for Texan’s First and Second Amendment rights, protecting medical freedom, and lowering taxes.
Nate Schatzline
In House District 93, Schatzline replaces State Rep. Matt Krause (R–Fort Worth), who ran for Tarrant County district attorney. A former pastor and nonprofit leader fighting human trafficking, Schatzline received the endorsements of Texas Right to Life, Texas Values Action, and Texas Home School Coalition.
Schatzline prioritized pro-life and pro-family issues during his campaign, as well as border security and protecting communities from drug and human trafficking.
Mark Dorazio
In House District 122, Dorazio replaces former liberal Republican State Rep. Lyle Larson (San Antonio), who chose not to run for re-election. A former State Republican Executive Committee member, Dorazio received endorsements from multiple incumbent lawmakers, Texas Right to Life, Young Conservatives of Texas, and Texas Values Action.
Dorazio highlighted issues such as property taxes, border security, indoctrination in public schools, and election integrity during his campaign.
Charles Cunningham
In House District 127, Cunningham replaces State Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Humble), who chose not to run for re-election. Cunningham is a former member of both the Humble ISD Board of Trustees and the Humble City Council. He received the endorsements of several incumbent lawmakers, the Kingwood Tea Party, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Cunningham focused on improving infrastructure, securing the border, lowering property taxes, and public safety throughout his campaign.
Mano DeAyala
In House District 133, DeAyala replaces outgoing Republican Caucus Chairman Jim Murphy (R–Houston), who decided not to run for re-election; Murphy had a history of not advocating for his own political party’s legislative priorities and consistently voting against other Republican colleagues on issues on his own party’s platform.
A lawyer, DeAyala received the endorsements of the Texas Business PAC, Texas Home School Coalition, and Democrat-supporting Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
DeAyala ran his campaign on issues such as border security, fighting violent crime, lowering property taxes, and supporting pro-family policies.
Additionally, although State Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Waxahachie) won a special election in 2021 to represent HD 10, this will be his first regular legislative session in the Texas House.
With a Republican majority in both legislative chambers and all statewide offices, now the question is whether these officials will hold to the priorities of grassroots Republicans.
The legislative session begins on January 10, 2023.
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