The Ballot Brief
Denton County, Texas

Texas House District 57

3 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 57, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Darren Hamilton, Ray Stith and Richard Hayes. Candidate information follows official Denton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Darren Hamilton (Libertarian), Ray Stith (Democratic), Richard Hayes (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 57; Richard Hayes is the sitting member, per the Texas House of Representatives' 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, Richard Hayes, is on the ballot.

Texas › Denton County › Texas House District 57

Darren Hamilton

Libertarian

Top priorities
  • Keep government honest, limited and accountable
  • Oppose government involvement in personal, business and speech matters
  • Keep power close to the people and reduce bureaucratic waste

Per the Libertarian Party.

Biography

Darren Hamilton is the Libertarian candidate for Texas House District 57 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Is a Desert Storm-era U.S. Marine Corps veteran, per Libertarian Party. Built a career in technical and professional fields after his military service, per Libertarian Party.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Ray Stith

Democratic

Biography

Ray Stith is the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 57 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Border security and addressing human trafficking and drug operations in North Texas
  • Property tax relief
  • Election integrity

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Hayes is an attorney who founded his law firm, Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant, at age 32 and is board certified in commercial and residential real estate law, per the campaign site. He clerked for the chief judge of the U.S. District Court in San Antonio and worked in the Bexar County District Attorney's office, per the campaign site. He holds degrees from Texas Christian University and Texas A&M and has served as Denton Chamber of Commerce chair, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas House District 57 in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 57, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Darren Hamilton, Ray Stith and Richard Hayes. Candidate information follows official Denton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Texas House District 57 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 Denton 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 Denton County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Denton County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Texas House District 64Texas House District 65Texas House District 106See all 33 Denton County races
Candidate profiles
Darren Hamilton, full profileRay Stith, full profileRichard Hayes, full profileOfficial Texas election office