About this office
Your State Representative is one of 150 people who write Texas law, and yours is elected to represent your area of Hays County. Every two years they decide how much money your kids' school gets, whether your property tax bill goes up or down, and whether Texas takes federal money for health care or turns it away. Big decisions, made by a small group — and one seat is yours to fill.
Candidates
Terry CanalesTerry Canales has represented District 40 in the Rio Grande Valley since 2013 and now chairs the House Committee on Transportation Funding.
About Terry
He co-authored the 2021 law letting Texans carry handguns without a license or training.
Celeste Cabrera-HuffCeleste Cabrera-Huff is an Edinburg business leader and domestic-violence survivor who served as board president of Angels of Love, a nonprofit serving abuse victims.
About Celeste
She won the May 2026 Republican runoff over Nehemias Gomez to secure the nomination for District 40.