Lee County, Texas

Texas House District 17

2 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 17, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Stan Gerdes and Mary Elizabeth Klenz. Candidate information follows official Lee County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Stan Gerdes (Republican), Mary Elizabeth Klenz (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 17; Stan Gerdes 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, Stan Gerdes, is on the ballot.

Texas › Lee County › Texas House District 17

Stan Gerdes

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Reduce property taxes
Increase border security funding and rural law enforcement funding
Protect Second Amendment rights

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Stan Gerdes represents Texas House District 17 and is a fifth-generation Central Texan from Smithville, per his campaign site. He worked with former Governor Rick Perry for more than a decade, including as senior advisor to Perry at the U.S. Department of Energy, per his campaign site, and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Mary Elizabeth Klenz

Democratic

Biography

Mary Elizabeth Klenz is the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 17 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 20, 2026.

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas House District 17 in 2026?

When is the Texas House District 17 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 Lee 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 Lee 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 Lee County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Lee County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Texas Senate District 18 See all 3 Lee County races

Candidate profiles

Stan Gerdes, full profile Mary Elizabeth Klenz, full profile Official Texas election office