The Ballot Brief
Tyler County, Texas

Texas Senate District 3

2 candidates are tracked for Texas Senate District 3, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Trent Ashby and Bobby Tillman. Candidate information follows official Tyler County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Trent Ashby (Republican), Bobby Tillman (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas Senate District 3. Not on the November ballot: Robert Nichols, 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 › Tyler County › Texas Senate District 3

Trent Ashby

Republican

Top priorities
  • Property tax relief

Per The Texan / KETK.

Biography

Trent Ashby is the Republican nominee for Texas Senate District 3, an open seat as current Senator Robert Nichols is not seeking reelection. Ashby is the sitting State Representative for Texas House District 9 and Senior Vice President for VerraBank, according to his official House biography; he grew up on a dairy farm in Rusk County and holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Bobby Tillman

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Rural medical care
  • Volunteer fire and EMS funding
  • Support for veterans and small-town economies

Per the Lufkin Daily News.

Biography

Bobby Tillman is the Democratic nominee for Texas Senate District 3, an East Texas seat covering the Pineywoods and Sabine region. He spent 40 years in the commercial flooring business and 15 years raising beef cattle, according to the Lufkin Daily News. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Next on your ballotTexas House District 9

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas Senate District 3 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Texas Senate District 3, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Trent Ashby and Bobby Tillman. Candidate information follows official Tyler County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Texas Senate District 3 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 Tyler 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 Tyler 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 Tyler County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Tyler County ballot

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

See all 2 Tyler County races
Candidate profiles
Trent Ashby, full profileBobby Tillman, full profileOfficial Texas election office