Who's In the Race
Republican incumbent Brandon Gill and Democrat Steven Shook are the nominees in Texas's 26th Congressional District. Gill was born on a military Air Force base in New Mexico and raised on a cattle ranch in West Texas, and his official House biography describes him as grounded in Christian faith, hard work, and service. Brandon Gill, the Republican incumbent running for re-election, was elected to Congress in 2024, according to his official House biography.
Shook was born and raised in Fort Worth and comes from a family of healthcare providers and small-business owners. He holds degrees from Tarrant County College, Texas Tech University, and the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating summa cum laude from Texas Tech.
In the 2024 presidential race, Donald Trump received 49.7 percent of the vote in the district, and Kamala Harris received 40.9 percent, according to the Texas Legislative Council's District Election Report for District 26.
What They Stand For
Gill's official House biography describes his political approach as conservative Republican and says he entered Congress to fight for North Texas and end what it calls the harmful policies of the Biden administration.
On his campaign site, Shook says he would protect Social Security and Medicare benefits. He supports lowering prescription-drug prices by expanding Medicare price negotiation to all insurance plans. Shook supports a planned, step-by-step transition to universal healthcare and says healthcare should be affordable and accessible for everyone.
He says he would defend educational opportunities for all children and address systemic inequity. Shook also says he would improve local infrastructure and create jobs, while amplifying the voices of people who feel unheard in the democratic process.
The Money Behind the Race
Outside spending in Texas's 26th District race totals $2,145 as of Oct. 5, all of it on the Republican side. Every dollar of that spending supports candidates rather than opposing them.
The top spender is the Freedom Caucus Fund at $1,443. The Senate Conservatives Fund follows at $648. Texas Alliance for Life Fed PAC spent $54, according to the aggregated spending data. Committee leaderboard totals reflect overall spending and do not indicate support or opposition on their own.
Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets
Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections all rate the race "Solid Republican," as of Sept. 25, Sept. 29, and Oct. 2, respectively.
On Kalshi, the prediction market gave Gill a 93.6 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 5, with Shook at 6.4 percent.
In 2024, Gill won the district with 62.07 percent of the vote. No 2022 result for this district is available in the record. Statewide in 2022, Republicans won 21 federal congressional races and Democrats won 13. The index's tally lists 23 races won by Republicans and 13 won by Democrats, though the record does not confirm the year, the offices, or that the count is complete. Republican Donald Trump carried Texas in the 2024 presidential election with 56.14 percent of the vote.
Voting logistics: The Nov. 3 general election date for Texas's 26th Congressional District comes from the race record, and the registration deadline, early-voting dates and hours, and Election Day polling hours were not verified as of Oct. 5. Texas counties set their own early-voting locations and may set hours within state limits, and voters should check their county election office, such as Denton County Elections, for 2026 schedules.
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