Texas — 19th District

The filing period has come and gone, with campaigning well underway in a highly competitive election for Texas' 19th Congressional District seat.

The winner of the 2026 General Election in November will succeed the current congressman from West Texas — U.S. House Budget Chairman Rep. Jodey Arrington, who announced he would not be seeking reelection after this term.

However, before that person is chosen, the candidates must go through their respective parties' March 2026 primary elections.

With early voting for the Texas Democratic and Republican Primaries starting Feb. 17 and running through Feb. 27 ahead of the March 3 election, here's a look at the district and who the candidates are.

Who are the candidates for TX-19 2026 Republican primary?

There are 7 candidates who filed to be placed on the ballot for the Republican Primary in March 2026, with the winner — pending a possible runoff election — to be the Republican candidate in the General Election in November, facing the Democratic candidate.

Here's who they are.

Abraham Enriquez of Lubbock

Enriquez is the founder and president of Bienvenido US — a conservative-leaning Hispanic organization focused on promoting American/traditional values, free markets, while also increasing Hispanic civic and political participation.

According to his website, he is an Abilene Christian University alumn with a bachelor’s degree in political science with double minors in international business and Spanish with a concentration in pre-law.

The issues he is running on are:

Fight for jobs in West Texas

Fight for lower costs and economic growth.

Protect the West Texas oil and gas industry.

Defend America's energy independence.

Support border security.

Fight for access to rural healthcare.

Tom Sell of Lubbock

Sell is a business owner and co-founder of the Combest, Sell & Associates agriculture lobbying firm.

According to his website, Sell has previous experience in Congress, having served as the right-hand man to then-U.S. Rep. Larry Combest. He was praised for playing a key role in advancing major legislation, including the 2002 Farm Bill and the landmark Crop Insurance Reform Act of 2000.

The issues he is running on are:

Promote strong immigration policies.

Promote energy dominance.

Protect the 2nd Amendment.

Prolife.

Protect West Texas values.

Champion agricultural polices.

Promote strong national defense.

James Barbee of Abilene

Barbee is a small business owner and has been a resident of District 19 for 62 years.

According to his campaign social media, he is "a constitutionalist who believes the government is too involved in every aspect of our lives." He believes in term limits and the abolishment of income tax and federal sales tax.

Jason Corley of Lubbock

Corley is a local businessman and is in his second term as Lubbock County Commissioner representing Precinct 2.

According to his website, Corley graduated from Lubbock-Cooper High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M University.

The issues he is running on are:

Defend West Texas jobs and energy.

Secure the border/ end illegal immigration.

Cut federal spending/ stop inflation.

Defend the 2nd Amendment.

Empower parents/ strengthen education.

Protect faith, family and traditional values.

Support law enforcement.

Support America First foreign policy.

Corley reinstated as Lubbock County commissioner while case continues

Donald May of Lubbock

May is an ophthalmologist who has run for public office multiple times, including in 2014 and 2016 for the U.S. 19 seat.

It was not immediately clear what issues May is running on this election cycle, but his website states that "West Texas Values are America’s Strength."

He previously served on the city of Lubbock's board of health.

Matt Smitt of Abilene

Smith is an Abilene resident and West Texas businessman. He is founder of Fat Matt Roofing, as well as a rancher and minister.

According to his website, Smith is also a family man and is running "to bring biblical wisdom to America’s toughest problems, restore accountability, secure American energy, and stop Washington from spending our children’s future."

The issues he is running on are:

Secure the border.

Restore fiscal responsibility.

Invest in rural infrastructure.

Protect West Texas agriculture.

Protect children and support parental rights.

Unleash American energy.

Defend faith, family and freedom.

Ryan Zink of Wolfforth

Zink is a fourth-generation Texan who is also a local small business owner.

According to his website, in 2020, he was the deputy strategic initiatives director for Statewide Operations for the Republican Party of Texas and holds a master's degree in communications. He was found guilty of participating in the riots on Jan. 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. but was later pardoned by President Donald Trump.

The issues he is running on are:

Fight for farmers and ranchers.

Fight for the oil and natural sector.

Support law enforcement and first responders.

Fight for veterans, small business owners and the next generation.

Fight for patient-centered healthcare.

Who are the candidates for TX-19 2026 Democratic primary?

Only one candidate filed to run in the Democratic primary, and is expected to be the Democratic candidate for the General Election in November.

That candidate is Lubbock Democrat Kyle Rable.

According to his campaign website, Rable is a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, a Texas Tech PhD Candidate, and the secretary of the Lubbock County Democratic Party.

The issues he is running on are:

Address the cost-of-living issues.

Expand legal pathways for immigrants to become citizens.

Protect citizens' private data.

Support agricultural policies to support farmers and rural communities.

Defend Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and Veterans Affairs.

Break up monopolies to protect American industry.

Fix the American healthcare system.

Where is the TX-19 Congressional District located?

According to the U.S. Census, there are 787,000 people in the large swath of Texas that the district covers, with the median household income being $64,889.

A little over 25% of the district has a bachelor's degree or higher, with much of the district's economy being dedicated to farming and ranching. Major cities are Lubbock and Abilene, with other cities including Plainview, Big Spring and Andrews.

The district is a Republican stronghold in the state, as the Republican candidates have won the general election for the seat by over 70% of the vote in the past eight elections, according to historical voting data.

Mateo Rosiles is a reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and USA TODAY Network in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: [email protected].