Multiple candidates for state and local offices filed by the Dec. 11 deadline for the March 2018 primary elections, including several contenders for seats in the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate to represent those in Sugar Land, Missouri City and neighboring cities. Rep. Rick Miller, R-Sugar Land, is seeking reelection for State Representative District 26, which encompasses most of Sugar Land and parts of Richmond. A former naval officer and chair of the Republican Party of Fort Bend, Miller is currently serving his third term, according to his campaign website. A conservative, Miller is a strong supporter of limited government, low taxes, and individual responsibility, according to his campaign website. Miller faces opposition from Democratic candidate Sarah DeMerchant, whom he defeated in the 2016 general election with 58 percent of the vote, according to election results. DeMerchant advocates for more funding for public education, equal pay for women, and improved health care, according to her campaign website. Incumbent Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, also filed for reelection to represent District 27, which covers Missouri City and Stafford. Also in his third term, Reynolds has contributed bills this past legislative session, supporting a minimum wage increase, assistance for small businesses, and salary raises for teachers as well as other issues, according to Texas Legislature Online. Reynolds will face fellow Democratic candidate and Houston attorney Wilvin Carter in the 2018 primary elections in March. Carter advocates for fair wages, access to quality health care and education, and equality in the criminal justice system, according to his official website. Meanwhile, Fort Bend ISD Board President Kristin Tassin is running as the Republican nominee for Texas Senate District 17, which spans across Brazoria, Fort Bend and Harris counties. She, and several others, challenge incumbent Joan Huffman, R-Houston, who is finishing her third term. Huffman stands for tax cuts for citizens, limited government regulations, and improving Texas public education, according to her website. Like Huffman, Tassin listed public education as one of her top priorities, particularly increasing funding and improving the school finance system. Tassin also identified property tax reform, investment in infrastructure, and transparent budgeting as key issues, she said. Three Democratic candidates have also filed to run for Texas Senator District 17: Ahmad Hassan, Rita Lucido, and Fran Watson. Lucido, an attorney, has unsuccessfully run for office in the past, losing the 2014 election, according to Community Impact Newspaper partner The Texas Tribune. On social media, Lucido has expressed dissatisfaction over the state's health care system and fiscal responsibility. Lucido's opponent, Watson is also an attorney from the Houston area. Watson champions increasing the minimum wage and investing in public education, quality health care, criminal justice reforms, and the environmental justice, according to her campaign website. The 2018 primary election takes place March 6.