2026 Texas Primary Runoff

Democrat

Republican

Esmeralda "Esmi" Cantu-Castle is the mother of slain Navy sailor Angelina Resendiz.

The Seat I'd Put Money On - by Michelle H. Davis - Lone Star Left

Texas House candidates | TCTA

Janie Lopez wins primary for District 37; Democrats head to runoff

Esmeralda "Esmi" Cantu-Castle is a student at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. She lives in Harlingen, Texas

Esmeralda is an advocate who has worked for a decade helping people navigate systems that are designed to shut them out. She has also called for accountability from the military and advocated for survivors of sexual abuse.

Esmeralda works as a paralegal for a civil rights and employment law attorney. 

Esmeralda "Esmi" Cantu-Castle ran for Texas State Representative, District 37, in 2024 but did not win.

Esmeralda's campaign for state representative in Texas's House District 37 is her first run for public office.

Believes in creating good-paying jobs, supporting small businesses, and building economic opportunities.

Advocates for stable housing by addressing rising rents and property taxes to keep housing affordable.

- Believes in creating good-paying jobs, supporting small businesses, and building economic opportunities.
- Advocates for stable housing by addressing rising rents and property taxes to keep housing affordable.

Economy

As of April 1, 2026, Esmeralda "Esmi" Cantu-Castle’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Prioritizes increased veterans services following the death of her daughter and husband during their time in military service.

- Prioritizes increased veterans services following the death of her daughter and husband during their time in military service.

Healthcare

Plans to invest in education at every level and ensure access to quality schools, colleges, and training programs.

- Plans to invest in education at every level and ensure access to quality schools, colleges, and training programs.

Education

Promotes sustainable development for future generations by protecting natural resources.

- Promotes sustainable development for future generations by protecting natural resources.

Energy & the Environment

Voting & Elections

Ethics & Conduct

Esmeralda "Esmi" Cantu-Castle

Mauricio Mendez

Maxwell Schaffner

Buket Urgen

Candidate website

Harlingen native joins District 37 race | KVEO-TV

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa is originally from Harlingen, Texas. He earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American and his master's degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. He and his wife have two children. Ozzie is a member of the Knights of Columbus Catholic order.

Oziel is the director of special education for a local education agency. He previously worked as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. 

Ochoa announces run for State Rep. - San Benito News

Ozzie currently serves as Director of Special Education for Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. He previously worked as a principal, assistant principal, coach, and teacher in public education.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr.'s campaign for Texas State Representative, District 37, is his first time running for public office.

Ozzie's campaign for Texas State Representative, District 37, is his first run for public office.

Campaign Website

Advocates for economic growth and prioritizes the needs of South Texas families.

Advocates for increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Supports increased cost transparency and fair housing practices for renters.

- Advocates for increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
- Supports increased cost transparency and fair housing practices for renters.

Supports prioritizing public safety as a key issue for the community.

Plans to support law enforcement with the funding, equipment, and training they need to serve and protect their communities. 

Supports expanding access to mental health services through local programs.

Promotes the use of prevention, rehabilitation, and community-based solutions to reduce crime.

Advocates for the improvement of coordination between state and federal agencies on veteran benefits, and increasing mental health services and job training for veterans and their families.

- Plans to support law enforcement with the funding, equipment, and training they need to serve and protect their communities. 
- Supports expanding access to mental health services through local programs.
- Promotes the use of prevention, rehabilitation, and community-based solutions to reduce crime.
- Advocates for the improvement of coordination between state and federal agencies on veteran benefits, and increasing mental health services and job training for veterans and their families.

Supports expanding veteran healthcare access.

Aims to establish a state veterans cemetery in District 37.

- Supports abortion access.
- Supports expanding veteran healthcare access.
- Aims to establish a state veterans cemetery in District 37.

Prioritizes education as a key issue for South Texas families.

Supports reducing excessive standardized testing to increase instructional time for teachers and students.

Advocates for strengthening the Teacher Retirement System so educators can retire with financial security.

Supports increasing public school funding to keep pace with inflation and modernize learning environments.

Opposes school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

- Supports reducing excessive standardized testing to increase instructional time for teachers and students.
- Advocates for strengthening the Teacher Retirement System so educators can retire with financial security.
- Supports increasing public school funding to keep pace with inflation and modernize learning environments.
- Opposes school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

As of April 1, 2026, Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Facebook

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa is from Harlingen, Texas. He earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American and his master's degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. He and his wife, Myra, have two children.

Ozzie is the Director for Special Education for the Harlingen Independent School District. He previously worked as a teacher, coach, and principal. 

Ozzie's campaign for Texas State Representative, District 37, is his first time running for public office.

- Advocates for increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour so "hardworking Texans can keep up with the rising cost of living".
- Supports increased cost transparency and fair housing practices for renters.

- Plans to support law enforcement with the funding, equipment, and training they need to serve and protect their communities. 
- Supports expanding access to mental health services through local programs.
- Promotes the use of prevention, rehabilitation, and community-based solutions to reduce crime.

- Supports abortion access and believes "women and families deserve the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions with the guidance of their physicians".

Oziel Ochoa's campaign for Texas State Representative, District 37, is his first time running for public office.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr. is from Harlingen, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American, a master's degree in educational leadership from Lamar University, and a superintendent program certification from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. He and his wife, Myra Reyna Ochoa, have two children. He is Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa Jr.'s campaign for Texas State Representative, District 37, is his first time running for public office.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa Jr. ran for Texas State Representative, District 37, in 2026.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr. is from Harlingen, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American, a master 27s in educational leadership from Lamar University, and a superintendent program from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. He and his wife, Myra Reyna Ochoa, have two children. He is Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr. is from Harlingen, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American, a master 27s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University, and a superintendent program certification from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. He and his wife, Myra Reyna Ochoa, have two children. He is Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Pavel Tantchev

- 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.

Texas State Representative Runoff, District 37, Democratic Primary

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