Travis County, Texas

Texas House District 50

2 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 50, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Samantha Lopez-Resendez and Howard Olsen. Candidate information follows official Travis County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Samantha Lopez-Resendez (Democratic), Howard Olsen (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 50. Not on the November ballot: James Talarico, the sitting member per the 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.

Texas › Travis County › Texas House District 50

Samantha Lopez-Resendez

Democratic

Top priorities

Strengthen public schools and invest in teachers
Protect access to health care
Defend workers' rights and government accountability

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Samantha Lopez-Resendez is the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 50 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Has served as chief of staff to state Rep. Donna Howard at the Texas Capitol, per campaign site. Is a former bilingual educator and the daughter of immigrants, per campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Howard Olsen

Republican

Top priorities

Support firefighters and first responders
Support veterans transitioning from military service
Provide teachers in overcrowded classrooms with better resources

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Howard Olsen is the Republican candidate for Texas House District 50 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Is a combat veteran with 11 years of service including with an Army Ranger battalion and Psychological Operations, per campaign site. Has worked as a first responder and organized disaster relief aid for flood victims, per campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotTexas House District 51

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas House District 50 in 2026?

When is the Texas House District 50 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 Travis 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 Travis 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 Travis County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Travis County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Travis County Judge Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 2 Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 4 See all 16 Travis County races

Candidate profiles

Samantha Lopez-Resendez, full profile Howard Olsen, full profile Official Texas election office