2 candidates are tracked for Texas Senate District 31, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: John Betancourt and Kevin Sparks. Candidate information follows official Howard County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
John Betancourt (Democratic), Kevin Sparks (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas Senate District 31; Kevin Sparks 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.
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, Kevin Sparks, is on the ballot.
Texas › Howard County › Texas Senate District 31
Democratic
John Betancourt is the Democratic candidate for Texas Senate District 31 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.
Republican Incumbent
Kevin Sparks is the Republican incumbent for Texas Senate District 31, which covers 36 counties across the Panhandle and Permian Basin. He is an oil and gas operator with a business degree from the University of Texas at Austin who spent nearly four decades in the industry before entering politics, according to his official Senate biography, and he has held the seat since 2023. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Who is running for Texas Senate District 31 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Texas Senate District 31, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: John Betancourt and Kevin Sparks. Candidate information follows official Howard County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Texas Senate District 31 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 Howard 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.
Candidate roster from official Howard 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 Howard County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
2 tracked races in Howard County, Texas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.