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Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect voters will not need to vote at individual precincts in the November election.
Candidates Stan Stanart and Stefanie Bord are set to face each other in the November general election for Texas House District 126.
What you need to know
District 126 covers parts of Harris County, including Cypress, Spring, Fairbanks and Jersey Village, according to a map of the district.
With incumbent Rep. Sam Harless, R-Spring, announcing his retirement at the end of his term in 2027, three Republican and two Democratic candidates faced off in the March primary elections. Stan Stanart secured the Republican nomination for the seat, while Stefanie Bord won the Democratic nomination; now the two will face each other on Nov. 3.
Early voting begins Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30, according to the Texas Secretary of State's website. Election day is Nov. 3 and polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Registered voters can cast their ballot at any polling location during early voting and election day.
Candidates were asked to keep responses within 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.
Former Harris County Clerk & Chief Election Official. Resident of HD126 for 30 years.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My top priorities are clear: eliminate or sharply cut high property taxes and insurance premiums, put public safety and law-abiding citizens first over criminals, strengthen our infrastructure to stop flooding, and enhance election integrity in Texas elections.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the northwest Harris County area in the next 5 years?
The greatest challenges facing northwest Harris County over the next five years are unmanaged rapid growth, worsening traffic and flooding, persistently high property taxes, strained infrastructure, and the spread of soft-on-crime and high-tax policies from Houston that threaten public safety and our quality of life.
What will you do to support small businesses and promote economic growth in Texas?
I will fight to stop socialism, constrain excessive government, and eliminate burdensome regulations that crush small businesses. We must protect Texas energy jobs, expand practical workforce training, and keep government out of the way so entrepreneurs—not bureaucrats—drive growth and create jobs.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I will be attending local community events such as chamber of commerce meetings, flood control meetings, and county commissioner events. I will be sending regular legislative updates by email and holding community meetings at the George W. Bush Community Center to get input from HD 126 citizens.
How will you balance the development of data centers and other large projects with constituent concerns about rapid growth?
I support growth and jobs, but data centers and large projects must generate their own power so they never raise our electricity bills, use closed-loop water systems with minimal demand, and operate as good neighbors. Rapid development should never come at the expense of existing residents or ratepayers.
Former Klein teacher; current homeschooler, former environmental consultant, moms Demand Action Volunteer, Type 1 Diabetic
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Funding public education to at least the national average per student at current the tax levels, which means paying teachers more and providing more services to our students. Medicaid expansion, lower the uninsured rate, increase the minimum wage, and infrastructure built for climate change. We need to be future focused.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the northwest Harris County area in the next 5 years?
With skyrocketing costs, we need to focus on making life affordable in our district and across the state. We need increased access to affordable healthcare, housing, healthy food, and electricity, excellent free public schools that don’t require a voucher or application to attend, and freedom from government overreach.
What will you do to support small businesses and promote economic growth in Texas?
Small businesses need financial and worker support. Expanded apprenticeship and internship programs should pay learners for their time in those programs. Paid learners can focus on the job and will come into the workplace ready to get to work instead of needing lots of on-the-job training.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
We will have regularly scheduled district town halls and an open office in the district. A regular newsletter will keep residents informed, and surveys sent to residents will help guide my decisions, as well as data collected from phone calls and emails to our office.
How will you balance the development of data centers and other large projects with constituent concerns about rapid growth?
Data centers must be regulated because “agreements” with businesses aren’t enough. Residents must come first. Big projects must protect our water supplies, keep noise at a minimum, not increase electric bills, or strain the grid. The TCEQ must be prepared to inspect and impose penalties on facilities that don’t comply.
