Hardin County, Texas

Texas House District 18

2 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 18, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Valorie Barton and Janis Holt. Candidate information follows official Hardin County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Valorie Barton (Democratic), Janis Holt (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 18; Janis Holt 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, Janis Holt, is on the ballot.

Texas › Hardin County › Texas House District 18

Valorie Barton

Democratic

Top priorities

Strengthening background checks and firearms training requirements while balancing constitutional rights with public safety
Expanding access to mental health care and crisis intervention services
Reducing bureaucratic obstacles for small businesses and supporting farmers affected by tariffs

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Valorie Barton is the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 18 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Barton is a former Dayton City Councilwoman and works as a supply chain senior contracts manager overseeing large-scale projects in construction, power generation and fleet services, per campaign site. She is a lifelong resident of Dayton and Liberty County, per Bluebonnet News.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Janis Holt

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

School choice
Border security
Restricting abortion

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Janis Holt is the Republican incumbent for Texas House District 18. She and her husband co-own Hi-Tech Air Purification Systems and also operate a cattle ranch raising Angus livestock, according to her official biography. She has worked as a dental assistant and taught fourth grade, and has served as Silsbee Independent School District board president since 2014.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotTexas Senate District 3

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas House District 18 in 2026?

When is the Texas House District 18 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 Hardin 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 Hardin 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 Hardin County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Hardin County ballot

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

See all 2 Hardin County races

Candidate profiles

Valorie Barton, full profile Janis Holt, full profile Official Texas election office