Fort Bend County, Texas

Texas House District 28

2 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 28, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Gary Gates and Sandy Ibanez. Candidate information follows official Fort Bend County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Gary Gates (Republican), Sandy Ibanez (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 28; Gary Gates 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, Gary Gates, is on the ballot.

Texas › Fort Bend County › Texas House District 28

Gary Gates

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Applying business experience to legislative service
Supporting long-term community investment

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Gates began his career driving trucks before building a real estate development business that grew from a single home into a company with about 500 employees, per the campaign site. He describes long-term investment as central to his business philosophy and says many employees have worked with him for decades, per the campaign site. He and his wife Melissa attend Grace Community Bible Church, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Sandy Ibanez

Democratic

Top priorities

Provide fair funding for public schools, support for teachers, and investment in school safety
Support fair and transparent property taxes and address rising insurance costs
Expand access to health care, mental health care and family planning services

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Sandy Ibanez is the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 28 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Is a former Fort Bend ISD teacher, per campaign site. A member of Fort Bend AFT, focused on family and education issues in the district, per Texas AFL-CIO.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas House District 28 in 2026?

When is the Texas House District 28 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 Fort Bend 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 Fort Bend County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Fort Bend County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Texas House District 85 Fort Bend County District Attorney Fort Bend County Judge See all 34 Fort Bend County races

Candidate profiles

Gary Gates, full profile Sandy Ibanez, full profile Official Texas election office