Bastrop County, Texas

Texas Senate District 5

2 candidates are tracked for Texas Senate District 5, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Charles Schwertner and Paul Thomasson. Candidate information follows official Bastrop County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Charles Schwertner (Republican), Paul Thomasson (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas Senate District 5; Charles Schwertner is the sitting member, per the Texas Senate' official 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. The sitting officeholder, Charles Schwertner, is on the ballot.

Texas › Bastrop County › Texas Senate District 5

Charles Schwertner

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Border security and immigration enforcement, including 287(g) enforcement legislation
Second Amendment rights, including authoring the state's constitutional carry law
Property rights and eminent domain reform for landowners

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Charles Schwertner is an orthopedic surgeon with a pharmacy degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, per his official Senate biography. He served in the Texas House from 2011 to 2013 and has represented Senate District 5 since 2013, chairing the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce. He is the incumbent seeking reelection.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Paul Thomasson

Democratic

Top priorities

Raising the state's minimum wage
Opposing school voucher programs that redirect public education funding
Expanding healthcare access and affordability

Per the KBTX.

Biography

Paul Thomasson, the Democratic nominee for Texas Senate District 5, is a retired United Methodist pastor with 43 years of ministry experience, according to KBTX. His wife is a retired teacher and several of his children and their spouses currently work as educators in Texas schools. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Next on your ballotTexas House District 17

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas Senate District 5 in 2026?

When is the Texas Senate District 5 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 Bastrop 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 Bastrop 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 Bastrop County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Bastrop County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Texas Court of Appeals, 3rd District, Chief Justice See all 3 Bastrop County races

Candidate profiles

Charles Schwertner, full profile Paul Thomasson, full profile Official Texas election office