Tarrant County, Texas

Texas House District 97

2 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 97, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin and John W. McQueeney. Candidate information follows official Tarrant County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin (Democratic), John W. McQueeney (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 97; John W. McQueeney 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, John W. McQueeney, is on the ballot.

Texas › Tarrant County › Texas House District 97

Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin

Democratic

Top priorities

Fully funded public education
Affordable healthcare access
Reduce the influence of dark money in politics

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin is a retired public school teacher who taught French for 29 years at Southwest High School in Fort Worth over a 32-year career, according to campaign background reporting. She has volunteered as a docent at the Kimbell Art Museum since 2012 and is the Democratic nominee for Texas House District 97.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

John W. McQueeney

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Affordability and economic opportunity for Tarrant County families
Supporting local schools
Public safety and healthcare access

Per the campaign site.

Biography

John W. McQueeney is the Republican incumbent for Texas House District 97 in southwest Tarrant County. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University's M.J. Neeley School of Business who built a business career in corporate leasing, logistics, and national retail development, including owning McDonald's franchises and a FedEx logistics operation before acquiring Chicken Express restaurant locations, according to his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotTexas House District 98

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas House District 97 in 2026?

When is the Texas House District 97 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 Tarrant 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 Tarrant 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 Tarrant County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Tarrant County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Texas House District 99 Texas House District 101 Tarrant County Judge See all 27 Tarrant County races

Candidate profiles

Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin, full profile John W. McQueeney, full profile Official Texas election office