Texas House District 5 2026

Compare candidates running in this Texas federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Hector Garza

Party: Democrat

Cole Hefner

Party: Republican

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Texas House District 5

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 10, 2026
📊Polling
No polling data available for this state legislative race.
safe r— Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (not formally rated as competitive race)

District 5 is a safely Republican seat in East Texas. Incumbent Cole Hefner holds a strong position and appears unopposed in the general election. This race has no impact on party control.

Hector GarzaD
Cole HefnerR

Summary

Hector Garza is a Democratic candidate who ran in the Texas House District 5 Democratic primary on March 3, 2026. He previously served as the long-time Chairman of the Smith County Democratic Party before resigning in November 2025 to pursue his candidacy for House District 5. Garza is also a judge of the Texas 195th District Court in Dallas County, a position he has held since 2016. He was elected as President-Elect of the Texas Association of District Judges in September 2023.

Cole Hefner is a Republican state representative who has represented Texas House District 5 since 2017. He was born in Pittsburg, Texas, and has experience as a small business owner and county commissioner in Upshur County. He is a member of the community, including the Lindale Chamber of Commerce and Hide-A-Way Lake Kiwanis Club, and serves as a Sunday school teacher. He and his wife Kerri have seven children.

View Hector Garza's Full Profile →View Cole Hefner's Full Profile →

Campaign Promises

Other
  • Focus on key issues affecting Smith County
Defense
  • Secure the Border
Economy
  • Lower Taxes
Justice
  • Protect Texas Families

Key Issue Positions

Education and Healthcare
Support for improving education and healthcare access
Garza identified education and healthcare as key issues affecting Smith County residents.
Veterans' Care
Support for veterans' services
Garza included veterans' care as a focus area for the district.
Civil Stability
Focus on public safety and community stability
Garza emphasized civil stability as important to the region.
Property Tax Relief
Support for property tax reduction
Hefner cites property tax relief as a major accomplishment, referencing $51 billion in the recent budget dedicated to buying down property taxes. He notes the state has increased homestead exemptions and reduced property tax rates, though acknowledges more work is needed.
Abortion/Life Protection
Pro-life
Hefner highlights his work to reduce abortions in Texas, citing statistics that abortions decreased from 56,000 in 2019 to fewer than 40 performed in Texas in 2023.
Second Amendment Rights
Pro-Second Amendment
Hefner campaigns on protecting Second Amendment rights for Texans.
School Policy
Supports educational choice and chaplain programs
Hefner sponsored SB 763 allowing schools to employ chaplains. He voted to table an amendment that would have placed school vouchers on the ballot for voter approval.

Top Donors

Data not available
UnknownUnknown
Campaign finance data for state legislative races not readily available. Texas Ethics Commission records would contain this information.
Data not available
UnknownUnknown
Campaign finance data for state legislative races not readily available at federal level. Texas Ethics Commission records would contain this information.

Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

Claim: Hefner stated 'I stand by my vote' regarding the Ken Paxton impeachment
Contradiction: Investigative reports by KHOU 11 found that Hefner was not present during the impeachment vote. TxDOT records show he used a government plane from 12:32 p.m. to 1:14 p.m., while the House Journal listed him as present at 1:03 p.m. At the time of the actual debate and vote, Hefner was attending his daughter's graduation at 2 p.m.
Claim: Hefner campaigns on property tax relief and suggests meaningful relief has been achieved
Contradiction: While Hefner cites $51 billion in property tax reductions, he acknowledges that rising appraisal values often consume the state relief, meaning net relief for taxpayers is limited. He notes 'there is more to be done' and that the governor has an aggressive plan he plans to support.

What Opponents Say

No opponent claims documented.

Dewey Collier (2026 Republican Primary)

Hefner has voted for House Speaker Dade Phelan and will not call for him to vacate the Speakership, despite the Texas GOP opposing Democrats in leadership positions

Collier criticized Hefner for supporting Phelan's speakership and allowing Democrats to serve as committee chairs, positions Collier views as inconsistent with Republican principles

Dewey Collier (2026 Republican Primary)

Hefner voted to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton

Collier highlighted Hefner's vote to impeach Paxton as evidence of insufficient conservatism, though investigation later revealed Hefner was not actually present for the vote

Dewey Collier (2026 Republican Primary)

Hefner's voting record has become less conservative over time

Collier cited Hefner's declining fiscal responsibility rating and other votes as evidence he has drifted from conservative principles

Endorsements

No endorsements listed.

Governor Greg Abbottindividual
President Donald Trumpindividual