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Three Republican candidates are running for state representative in District 118 in the March primary: Jorge Borrego, Desi Martinez and Joe Shellhart. The seat is currently held by Republican John Lujan, who is not running for re-election in the March primary.
What you need to know
District 118 covers portions of San Antonio and Live Oak in Bexar County.
Community Impact reached out to the three candidates who will be on the ballot. Desi Martinez did not respond as of press time.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines or for style and clarity.
More information on the March 3 primary election can be found on the Bexar County Elections Department's website.
Realtor, currently K12 eduction policy director, Texas Public Policy Foundation legislative director, Texas House of ...
What would your top priorities be if elected?
1. Lower property taxes to improve affordability for homeowners and small businesses. 2. Expand skilled trade training in high school to prepare students for good-paying jobs. 3. Increase high-quality education options in HD 118 to drive opportunity. 4. Get tough on repeat offenders to restore public safety and accountability.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
1. The lack of consistent access to high-quality education leaves too many students without workforce-ready skills, limiting mobility and deterring high-paying employers. 2. Rising costs of housing, insurance, and taxes strain families. We must improve education outcomes and pursue pro-growth, pro-supply policies that lower costs and expand opportunity.
How do you plan to address these issues?
I will improve education through accountability, parental choice, and career-focused pathways that produce a skilled workforce and attract higher-paying jobs. To address affordability, I will push pro-growth policies that expand housing supply, reduce regulatory costs, lower taxes, and rein in government spending so families can keep more of what they earn.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next five years?
The greatest challenge for Texas is managing rapid growth without losing affordability, public safety, or opportunity. That requires developing a highly skilled workforce to attract high-paying jobs, keeping energy reliable, and maintaining a pro-business environment that allows families and businesses to thrive and build a bright future in Texas.
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire before press time.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire before press time.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire before press time.
How do you plan to address these issues?
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire before press time.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next five years?
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire before press time.
Small business owner; substitute teacher; U.S. veteran; EMT/firefighter. Experience: MBA in data analytics
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My top priorities are safer streets and stronger communities, supporting working families and affordable living, and empowering parents while strengthening public education.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Our biggest challenges are rising costs for working families, public safety concerns in our neighborhoods, and under-resourced schools that are stretched thin.
How do you plan to address these issues?
I’ll focus on practical, bipartisan solutions: targeting resources to law enforcement and community programs, reducing unnecessary burdens on small businesses and families, and ensuring more of our education dollars reach classrooms and teachers instead of growing bureaucracy or district overbloat.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next five years?
The greatest challenge is managing rapid growth, population, energy demand, and infrastructure needs, while keeping Texas affordable, safe, and true to our values of opportunity, personal responsibility, and strong local communities.
