BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, BAAS, 2020

WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide

iVoterGuide candidate profile for Chris Spencer

Spencer is the founder and operator of a successful East Texas-based company and has been actively involved in local civic and charitable efforts for over a decade. A devoted husband and father, he and his family live in Hughes Springs, where they are active members of their church and community.

Chris Spencer Launches Campaign for Texas House District 1 | Texarkana Today

Republican Party of Texas, Contributor, Cass County Republican Party

Member and Contributor, First Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Member

Chris Spencer earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2020. He lives in Hughes Springs with his family and is a husband and father. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.

Voter Guide Profile for TX State Rep., Dist. 1 candidate - Chris Spencer

Chris Spencer Launches Campaign for Texas House District 1

Chris Spencer is the founder and operator of an East Texas-based company.

Chris Spencer (Texas) - Ballotpedia

Chris lost the 2024 race for the Texas House of Representatives District 1.

2026 Texas General Election

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I am opposed to a minimum wage. It stifles job creation and harms young Americans who are seeking entry level positions and summer jobs.

Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?

No

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing District 1, and what would be your top legislative priorities if elected? One of the biggest challenges facing East Texans is property taxes. Property taxes are out of control. We have received mail stating that over $51 billion in property tax relief has been returned to taxpayers, but these checks have not arrived. Furthermore, central appraisal districts stand ready to claw back any proposed savings that may come our way. Texas taxpayers are tired of it. Appraisal districts seriously need reform.

February 2026 - Page 26 (Texarkana Magazine)

How would you approach job creation and economic development in the district? Our region has a treasure in Lake Wright Patman. This economic engine positions Texarkana as a hub for job creation and economic development.

As state representative, I will work hand in hand with Riverbend Water Resources District, TexAmericas, and AR-TX REDI to promote our region and incentivize job creators to locate here.

Opposes a minimum wage, saying that it stifles job creation and harms young people seeking entry-level and summer jobs.

Calls for reforms to central appraisal districts in response to high property taxes.

Plans to work with regional development organizations to promote the region and incentivize employers to locate there.

- Opposes a minimum wage, saying that it stifles job creation and harms young people seeking entry-level and summer jobs.
- Calls for reforms to central appraisal districts in response to high property taxes.
- Plans to work with regional development organizations to promote the region and incentivize employers to locate there.

Economy

CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Strongly Disagree

Efforts to defund the police have been shown to be complete disasters and were part of a larger, radical leftist agenda to destabilize our communities, states, and our nation. They must be rejected everywhere they are attempted.

I am a business owner who meets payroll and pays my fair share of taxes. I know what it is like to struggle, and I know what it is like to succeed. I recognize that high taxes and burdensome regulations are barriers to success. Continuing to strengthen our southern border is a top priority for me.

“What I wanted to see was us to finish building the wall and secure our southern border and that was a primary reason that I ran,” Spencer said.

VanDeaver said he is proud of the progress made at the border during his time and hopes to continue.

Gov. Greg Abbott speaks out about State Representative candidates in Lamar Co.

Continuing to strengthen our southern border is a top priority for me. Governor Abbott has done a fantastic job bringing attention and bold solutions, as the prior Biden administration abdicated its responsibility on border security. Now President Trump has taken the reins and largely mitigated our border crisis. There is still work to be done, and I stand ready to give the president and Governor Abbott whatever resources are needed to keep Texas strong and secure.

Opposes redirecting police department funding to community programs.

Prioritizes strengthening southern border security, including completing a border wall.

Pledges to provide the president and governor with resources he considers necessary for Texas security.

- Opposes redirecting police department funding to community programs.
- Prioritizes strengthening southern border security, including completing a border wall.
- Pledges to provide the president and governor with resources he considers necessary for Texas security.

Public Safety

HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. Medicaid spending should be greatly reduced, be means tested, have a work requirement, and be limited to only U.S. citizens.

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

Never

RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Only to protect the life of the mother.

Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

Strongly Agree

Only to protect the life of the mother.

Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

Strongly Agree

Regardless of how an abortion is performed, whether surgically or drug induced, it is still the taking of an innocent human life and should be treated as such.

Regardless of how an abortion is performed, whether surgically or drug induced, it is still the taking of an innocent human life and should be treated as such.

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

Taxpayer dollars should never be used for abortion or made available to abortion providers.

Medicaid spending should be greatly reduced, be means tested, have a work requirement, and be limited to only U.S. citizens.

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

Never

NATIONAL SECURITY

Supports retaining Medicaid and Medicare while reducing Medicaid, means-testing it, and adding work requirements.

Supports allowing elective abortion only to protect the life of the mother.

Supports in-person medical consultations and reporting requirements for chemical abortion drugs.

Opposes public funding for abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood.

Opposes vaccine requirements by governments, schools, or employers.

- Supports retaining Medicaid and Medicare while reducing Medicaid, means-testing it, and adding work requirements.
- Supports allowing elective abortion only to protect the life of the mother.
- Supports in-person medical consultations and reporting requirements for chemical abortion drugs.
- Opposes public funding for abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood.
- Opposes vaccine requirements by governments, schools, or employers.

Healthcare

EDUCATION

The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.

Strongly Agree

Spencer is in support of school choice, siding with Gov. Abbott.

“It only makes sense that our tax dollars, my tax dollars, should go to the school of my choice,” Spencer said.

VanDeaver said he voted against Abbott’s school choice bill during a special session out of concern vouchers would hurt rural public schools in his district financially.

In addition, Texarkana College is a leader in developing students with vocational talent who wish to pursue careers in vital trades that require skilled labor.

This will be a big part of our growth going forward. Expanding vocational training will be a priority for me in Austin.

Supports directing education funding according to families' choices of public, private, or homeschool programs.

Prioritizes expanding vocational training.

- Supports directing education funding according to families' choices of public, private, or homeschool programs.
- Prioritizes expanding vocational training.

Education

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.

A and C. Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy and stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. The use of the climate hoax to alter U.S. environmental policies will go down in history as dangerous and foolhardy.

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Texas oil and gas!

A and C. Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy and stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. The use of the climate hoax to alter U.S. environmental policies will go down in history as dangerous and foolhardy.

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Texas oil and gas!

meet the water needs of Texans without disrupting the lives and prosperity of East Texans. I want to serve on the Natural Resources Committee in the Texas House of Representatives and fight to maintain local control of water resources, as well as to protect and grow our vital timber industry.

Opposes stricter environmental regulations, saying they harm the economy, energy independence, and the development of reliable electricity.

Said Texas oil and gas are the most reliable energy sources for meeting growing electricity demand.

Wants to maintain local control of water resources and protect and grow the timber industry.

- Opposes stricter environmental regulations, saying they harm the economy, energy independence, and the development of reliable electricity.
- Said Texas oil and gas are the most reliable energy sources for meeting growing electricity demand.
- Wants to maintain local control of water resources and protect and grow the timber industry.

Energy & the Environment

ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

Only U.S. citizens should be allowed to participate in Texas elections and any non-citizen who attempts to do so should be charged with a felony level crime.

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

Only U.S. citizens should be allowed to participate in Texas elections and any non-citizen who attempts to do so should be charged with a felony level crime.

States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.

Strongly Disagree

Only U.S. citizens should be allowed to participate in Texas elections and any non-citizen who attempts to do so should be charged with a felony level crime.

States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.

Strongly Disagree

The Electoral College highlights the brilliance of our nation's founders and must be maintained at all costs.

Supports requiring photo identification to vote.

Supports limiting participation in Texas elections to U.S. citizens and making noncitizen voting attempts a felony.

Opposes states joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

- Supports requiring photo identification to vote.
- Supports limiting participation in Texas elections to U.S. citizens and making noncitizen voting attempts a felony.
- Opposes states joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

Voting & Elections

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Chris Spencer

- Supports allowing elective abortion only to protect the life of the mother.
- Supports in-person medical consultations and reporting requirements for chemical abortion drugs.
- Opposes public funding for abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood.
- Opposes vaccine requirements by governments, schools, or employers.

Gov. Abbott looks to oust Rep. VanDever - Spectrum News

Rep. Gary VanDeaver not seeking reelection in Texas House - KSLA

Chris previously ran for Texas State Representative in 2024 but did not win.

Said, "I will fight to protect our precious water resources, cut taxes for hardworking families, and boldly stand up for our conservative way of life."

As of July 22, 2026, Chris Spencer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Chris previously ran for Texas House District 1 in 2024 but did not win. He secured the Republican nomination for the open seat in 2026.

Chris Spencer Secures Win in Republican Primary for Rep ...

For Candidate Chris Spencer on Issue economy: Supports cutting taxes for hardworking families.

Supports border security, stating that the federal government has abdicated its responsibility to secure the border and emphasizes the need for state assistance.

Chris previously served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 2023 to 2025.

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- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Texas House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas State Legislature
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. 
- There are 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives, each representing a single district. Representatives must be at least 21 years old and reside in the state for at least two years before their election. 
- State representatives are elected to two-year terms during even-numbered years. There are no term limits. 
- State representatives make $7,200 annually in addition to a $221 payment per day during legislative sessions and mileage reimbursements.

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Texas House of Representatives.