About this office
Texas is divided into 38 areas called districts, each with about 800,000 people. Every two years your district elects one U.S. Representative — one of 435 in Washington, and the only one who answers to you. They vote on laws that touch your health care, your taxes and your rights.
Candidates
Casey ShepardShepard spends his workdays as a public defender in Waco, representing people who can't afford a lawyer when they're charged with a crime.
About Casey
Casey Shepard is a Waco attorney who works as a criminal defense lawyer for indigent clients in McLennan County. He entered the crowded Democratic primary for Texas's 17th Congressional District, then won a runoff after his opponent dropped out and endorsed him. He says his top priorities are making sure people have enough food, healthcare, and stable housing, along with reining in what he calls executive-branch overreach.
Pete SessionsSessions's father ran the FBI — he was appointed the bureau's director by President Reagan — and Pete himself spent 16 years working for the phone company before entering politics.
About Pete
Pete Sessions grew up in Waco, the son of former FBI Director William Sessions, and worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone for 16 years before going into politics. He previously represented a Dallas-based congressional district from 1997 to 2019, chairing the powerful House Rules Committee, then returned to Congress in 2021 representing the current 17th District centered on Waco. He's running for re-election as a self-described proven conservative.