Armstrong County, Texas

Texas House District 86

2 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 86, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Holly Jeffreys and Cullin Knutson. Candidate information follows official Armstrong County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Holly Jeffreys (Republican), Cullin Knutson (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 86. Not on the November ballot: John T. Smithee, the sitting member per the roster. Nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (or a May 26 runoff) or advanced unopposed; the field is the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

Texas › Armstrong County › Texas House District 86

Holly Jeffreys

Republican

Top priorities

Keeping Panhandle water resources in the Panhandle
Parental authority over children's education
Eliminating school property taxes and lowering the property tax freeze age

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Holly Jeffreys is the Republican nominee for the open Texas House District 86 seat, succeeding longtime Representative John Smithee, who is not seeking reelection after nearly four decades in office, according to The Texan. Jeffreys is Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at West Texas A&M University and a nurse practitioner who has helped open rural clinics in Panhandle, Boys Ranch, Bushland, and Claude, per her campaign site. She served nine years as president of the Bushland ISD School Board.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Cullin Knutson

Democratic

Top priorities

Public education funding
Expanding Medicare and Medicaid
Representation for rural communities

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Cullin Knutson is the Democratic nominee for the open Texas House District 86 seat, succeeding longtime Representative John Smithee, who is not seeking reelection. Born and raised in Amarillo, Knutson graduated cum laude from Texas State University with a political science degree in 2014, per his campaign site, and has worked in roadway construction, sales, and asphalt/paving management, most recently at the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas House District 86 in 2026?

When is the Texas House District 86 election in Texas?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Texas are on the Texas election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Armstrong County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Armstrong County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Texas election office, or see the full Armstrong County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Armstrong County ballot

2 tracked races in Armstrong County, Texas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

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Candidate profiles

Holly Jeffreys, full profile Cullin Knutson, full profile Official Texas election office