Having grown up in the heart of South Texas, Rep. Canales worked in the oil fields as a roustabout and backhoe operator, giving him great insight into the oil and gas industry. As an attorney who has represented clients involved in oil and gas litigation, mineral disputes, and oil field accidents, he not only knows the law surrounding the industry, but he is also aware of its importance to the Texas economy, the job market, and the thousands of families who depend on it.

ABOUT

Canales earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of the Incarnate Word and his law degree from St. Mary’s School of Law.

Rep. Canales, Terry

After passing the Texas State Bar Exam, he opened his own law practice in Edinburg, where he resides with his wife, Erica E. Canales, and their five children: Juliana, Terry Andres, Caleb Ezra, Trigo, and Catalina.

Terry Canales grew up in South Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of the Incarnate Word and a law degree from St. Mary's School of Law. He lives in Edinburg with his wife, Erica E. Canales, and their five children.

Rep. Canales, Terry - District 40 - Texas House of Representatives

Upon passing the Texas State Bar Exam, Rep. Canales opened his own law practice on Closner Boulevard in Edinburg, Texas, the heart of District 40. He is a general practitioner with a distinguished trial record and a reputation for zealously advocating for his clients. He specializes in Oil and Gas litigation, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Family Law, Real Estate, and Municipal Law.

Terry is a general practitioner at his own law practice in Edinburg. He previously worked in the oil fields as a roustabout and backhoe operator.

Texas State Representative Terry Canales was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, representing District 40, which covers the heart of Hidalgo County. This district includes the cities of Edinburg (Hidalgo County seat), Elsa, Cesar Chavez, Murillo, La Coma Heights San Carlos, La Blanca, Linn, Lopezville, and portions of McAllen, Pharr and San Juan.

Terry currently serves as a Texas state representative for District 40. He was first elected in 2012.

2026 Texas General Election

I recognize that small businesses are what fuel Texas’s economic growth. Owning my own small law firm has taught me the hard work required to run a small business. South Texans know the meaning of entrepreneurialism. Small and family-owned businesses are the unsung heroes of our economy. This past legislative session, I was proud to work with my colleagues to pass a Constitutional Amendment that increases the tax exemption for business personal property from $2,500 to $125,000. This will free up capital for reinvestment and allow small and mid-sized businesses to better compete with larger corporations that can absorb tax costs.

Economic Development

Passed a constitutional amendment increasing the business personal-property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000.

- Passed a constitutional amendment increasing the business personal-property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000.

Economy

For far too long, minor offenses and unpaid fines trapped working families in a cycle of debt and incarceration. In 2017, I authored House Bill 351, which ended the “debtors’ prison” system. Judges must now consider the ability to pay before sending someone to jail for traffic tickets or minor violations. Additionally, in certain cases, a Judge may also provide options of community service or other alternatives rather than jail time for an individual.

Criminal Justice Reform

Criminal justice reform is also about reducing repeat offenses and helping people successfully reenter society. To continue to thrive as a state, we should give more Texans the tools to rebuild their lives and become productive members of their communities. This past legislative session, I was proud to be the House sponsor for Senate Bill 2405, which implements real reforms to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice by supporting rehabilitation and education programs in our prisons, improving oversight and accountability systems, and establishing better staff retention structures.

Authored House Bill 351, requiring judges to consider ability to pay before jailing people for traffic tickets or minor violations.

Sponsored Senate Bill 2405 to expand prison rehabilitation and education programs and improve Texas Department of Criminal Justice oversight, accountability, and staff retention.

- Authored House Bill 351, requiring judges to consider ability to pay before jailing people for traffic tickets or minor violations.
- Sponsored Senate Bill 2405 to expand prison rehabilitation and education programs and improve Texas Department of Criminal Justice oversight, accountability, and staff retention.

Public Safety

With over 32% of Hidalgo County residents lacking health insurance coverage today, Hidalgo County has the most to gain from the continued Affordable Care Act subsidies and expanding Medicaid to include adults with incomes below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. The 2025 federal cuts to Medicaid will have a disproportionate impact on South Texas. Texas must step up as the federal government steps back to dramatically decrease the rate of uninsured, improve families’ economic security, and reduce uncompensated care costs that burden hospitals.

Healthcare

Achieving comprehensive health care reform requires a uniquely Texan approach that preserves what works while introducing new elements that will allow us to meet 21st-century needs and goals. Healthier communities also strengthen the economy. If Texans aren’t healthy, they’re not working. I pledge to continue working with my colleagues in the Legislature to make health care more affordable and accessible for all, especially the middle class, the working class, and other vulnerable Texans.

Finally, I remain committed to this and future generations by ensuring the preservation and continued improvement of Medicare and Medicaid. We must ensure that Medicare beneficiaries, especially older Americans, have continued access to physician services and care.

Supports continuing Affordable Care Act subsidies and expanding Medicaid to adults with incomes below 133 percent of the federal poverty level.

Pledges to work to make health care more affordable and accessible, particularly for middle-class, working-class, and vulnerable Texans.

Committed to preserving and improving Medicare and Medicaid and maintaining Medicare beneficiaries' access to physician services and care.

- Supports continuing Affordable Care Act subsidies and expanding Medicaid to adults with incomes below 133 percent of the federal poverty level.
- Pledges to work to make health care more affordable and accessible, particularly for middle-class, working-class, and vulnerable Texans.
- Committed to preserving and improving Medicare and Medicaid and maintaining Medicare beneficiaries' access to physician services and care.

This 89th Legislative Session, in a historic win for Texas public education, I was proud to vote for a record $8.5 billion funding increase for schools statewide, following years of persistent advocacy. The legislation includes permanent teacher pay raises, robust funding to strengthen special education services, and increases in funding to school operations. House District 40 school districts will receive $170 million in funding. However, even with this increase, there are still gaps in education funding.

Education

While we work to strengthen our K-12 educational system, the Texas Legislature cannot ignore that a college education is becoming cost-prohibitive and therefore difficult to afford. A college degree is one of the most important factors in determining the long-term future of both individuals and our state as a whole. Therefore, a college degree should be accessible to anyone who desires to attain it. More grants and low-interest student loans should be made available to our next generation of teachers, scientists, and business entrepreneurs.

Within my district is the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley, the premier learning institution of the RGV, and one of the finest universities in the country. I was extraordinarily proud to be one of the legislators leading the establishment of UTRGV and I am committed to ensuring that UTRGV continues to receive robust state funding so it can continue its vital mission of providing a post secondary education to the future leaders of our region and this state.

Furthermore, with the understanding that a college degree is not the only pathway to financial success, I have been a proud advocate for expanding access to and reinforcing our state’s career-technical education and career readiness options. Because of legislation I passed in 2015, South Texas College was directed to expand its career-technical education programs in the Delta area, opening programs for Edcouch-Elsa ISD this school year. Students in these programs gain practical, hands-on experience that leads to high-paying jobs and strengthens the RGV economy.

Voted for an $8.5 billion statewide school-funding increase that includes permanent teacher pay raises, special-education funding, and school-operations funding.

Advocates for making college accessible through additional grants and low-interest student loans.

Committed to maintaining robust state funding for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Advocates for expanding career and technical education and career-readiness options.

- Voted for an $8.5 billion statewide school-funding increase that includes permanent teacher pay raises, special-education funding, and school-operations funding.
- Advocates for making college accessible through additional grants and low-interest student loans.
- Committed to maintaining robust state funding for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
- Advocates for expanding career and technical education and career-readiness options.

Water security is one of the most urgent challenges facing South Texas today. From agriculture to industry, water is vital to ensure the Rio Grande Valley can continue to grow and thrive. Our current reservoir capacity is limited and unreliable. We must secure new water solutions as water sharing treaties with Mexico break down and other parts of the state are now competing for resources.

Water

My colleagues and I passed House Joint Resolution 7, which Texas voters approved with Proposition 4 in the November 2025 election, will invest $1 billion per year in water projects for the next 20 years without any tax increase. This funding will go towards water infrastructure projects and repairing and replacing aging water pipes. This funding is critical as the state loses 88 billion gallons of water per year through leaky pipes, an issue felt most especially in the Rio Grande Valley.

Additionally, I was proud to be the House sponsor for Senate Bill 480, which provides authorization and legal clarity for local governments to coordinate on water infrastructure and planning. Our local governments must have all the tools at their disposal to prepare for future water challenges. Regional partnerships and investment in long-term solutions are the future of water supply.

Urges federal officials to reconsider withdrawing H.O.P.E. funding for small-farm sustainability.

Officials in Washington cannot continue to make decisions that target and harm our communities simply to advance a political agenda. I stand with the farmers and families who depend on the support and funding H.O.P.E. provides, and I urge federal officials to reconsider this decision.

Chairman Terry Canales Opposes USDA Action Stripping Funding from H.O.P.E. for Small Farm Sustainability

Calls for new water solutions as water-sharing treaties with Mexico break down and statewide competition for water resources increases.

Passed House Joint Resolution 7, directing $1 billion annually for 20 years to water infrastructure and aging-pipe repairs without a tax increase.

Sponsored Senate Bill 480, authorizing local governments to coordinate on water infrastructure and planning.

- Calls for new water solutions as water-sharing treaties with Mexico break down and statewide competition for water resources increases.
- Passed House Joint Resolution 7, directing $1 billion annually for 20 years to water infrastructure and aging-pipe repairs without a tax increase.
- Sponsored Senate Bill 480, authorizing local governments to coordinate on water infrastructure and planning.

Energy & the Environment

It is my strong belief that government compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act is non-negotiable. Too often, local and state government officials try to skirt the law on the public’s right to provide public comment and access meeting and hearing records. This is not acceptable. In 2019, I authored House Bill 2840, which gives the public the right to give public comment on agenda items at city council, board of adjustment, and special district meetings. Before this law, citizens only had the right to observe an open meeting of a government body.

Government Transparency

In 2023, I was proud to author House Bill 3440, which requires governmental bodies subject to the Open Meetings law to post their meeting agendas on the internet. Previously, governmental bodies could comply with the law by only posting public meeting agendas somewhere in a government building, inconveniencing the public’s right to know how their tax dollars were being used.

Authored House Bill 2840, giving the public the right to comment on agenda items at specified local-government meetings.

Authored House Bill 3440, requiring governmental bodies covered by open-meetings law to post meeting agendas online.

- Authored House Bill 2840, giving the public the right to comment on agenda items at specified local-government meetings.
- Authored House Bill 3440, requiring governmental bodies covered by open-meetings law to post meeting agendas online.

Voting & Elections

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Terry Canales

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Supports increasing tax exemptions for businesses to promote competition and reinvestment, and advocates for creating an optimal environment for small and mid-sized businesses in Hidalgo County.

Supports advocating for "the rights of working families, small businesses, and underserved communities."

As a state representative, led efforts to reform criminal justice, including eliminating the "debtor's prison system."

As a state representative, authored House Bill 351 to require judges to consider a person's ability to pay before sending them to jail for traffic tickets or minor violations.

Supports criminal justice reform to reduce repeat offenses and aid reintegration into society.

Believes access to healthcare is a significant issue in Texas, with over 5 million uninsured, particularly in South Texas, and exacerbated health disparities based on race, income, and location.

Supports expanding Medicaid and continuing subsidies for the Affordable Care Act.

Believes in a "uniquely Texan approach" to health care reform, aiming to make it more affordable and accessible, especially for the middle class, working class, and vulnerable populations.

Supports preserving and improving Medicare and Medicaid.

Supports protecting public schools from politicized attacks and funding cuts.

Supports providing robust state funding to the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.

Supports access to quality education for all Texans.

Supports improving water infrastructure and flood prevention in marginalized communities.

Advocates for transparency and open government.

Terry is an attorney. He also serves as the Texas State Representative for District 40.

Terry is currently a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 40. He was first elected to the House in 2013.

Terry Canales - Ballotpedia

Supports advocating for "working families, small businesses, and underserved communities."

As a state representative, supported criminal justice reform legislation to ensure state resources are used efficiently.

As a state representative, authored House Bill 351 to end the "debtors' prison" system by requiring judges to consider a person's ability to pay before imposing jail time for minor violations.

Said, "Smart, compassionate justice keeps our neighborhoods safe and saves taxpayer money. As your State Representative, I will continue to fight for a system that delivers both justice and opportunity for every Texan."

Supports expanding access to healthcare and mental health services in low-income communities.

Supports improving water infrastructure and flood mitigation in underserved regions.

Supports equitable access to quality education for all Texans.

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

Advocates for transparency in government.

Buket Urgen

Isaac Brickman

Celeste Cabrera-Huff

- 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
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