Karnes County, Texas

Texas Senate District 21

2 candidates are tracked for Texas Senate District 21, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Julie Dahlberg and Judith Zaffirini. Candidate information follows official Karnes County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Julie Dahlberg (Republican), Judith Zaffirini (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas Senate District 21; Judith Zaffirini 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, Judith Zaffirini, is on the ballot.

Texas › Karnes County › Texas Senate District 21

Julie Dahlberg

Republican

Top priorities

Eliminate property taxes and reduce government waste
Water security and election integrity
Increase teacher compensation while reducing administrative spending

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Julie Dahlberg is a U.S. Army veteran who owns MYCO Glass & Mirror, a glass company in La Vernia, according to her campaign website. She previously served as executive director of a San Antonio sober-living nonprofit and is the Republican nominee for Texas Senate District 21, challenging Democratic incumbent Judith Zaffirini.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Judith Zaffirini

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities

Healthcare access, including Medicaid and pre-existing condition coverage
Education and educator compensation
Property tax reduction

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Judith Zaffirini is the Democratic incumbent for Texas Senate District 21, which stretches from the Rio Grande to the Colorado River and the Valley. A former communications specialist and 13-year teacher with BS, MA, and PhD degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, she became the first woman Dean of the Senate on December 31, 2023, and has passed 1,524 bills since 1987, the most in Texas legislative history, according to her official Senate biography.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas Senate District 21 in 2026?

When is the Texas Senate District 21 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 Karnes 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 Karnes 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 Karnes County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Karnes County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Texas Court of Appeals, 4th District, Chief Justice See all 3 Karnes County races

Candidate profiles

Julie Dahlberg, full profile Judith Zaffirini, full profile Official Texas election office