Texas State House primary election
Candidates’ views on regional transportation
February/March 2026
In February and March 2026, voters will elect Texas House Representatives in Districts 49 and 50.
Below are excepts from candidates’ responses to our transportation questionnaire.
See here for candidates’ full answers.
Early voting runs February 17-27th. Election Day is March 3rd.
See here for full voting information.
Find out which Texas House District you live in.
Texas House District 49
Daniel Wang
Questionnaire response summary (view full answers)
1. Removing restrictions on the State Highway Fund to allow more funding for transit & active transportation
“I support removing restrictions that prevent state transportation dollars from being used for public transit, walking, biking, and safety projects. Beyond that, I want the state to create a reliable funding stream and matching program for transit and active transportation.”
2. How to address traffic deaths in Texas
“The level of traffic deaths and serious injuries in Texas is unacceptable, and it’s not inevitable. As a state representative, I would push Texas toward a Safe System approach that treats serious crashes as a design and policy failure, not just a personal one.”
3. Views on highway expansions
“I’m skeptical of major highway expansions in growing metro areas because they often fail to deliver the results they promise... My priority is fix-it-first—maintaining and improving what we already have.”
4. How you would help bring regional rail to Texas
“I would support regional rail by making Texas a partner rather than an obstacle. That includes fighting for state matching dollars… and supporting legislation that makes it easier for the region’s agencies and local governments to coordinate governance, planning, and funding across county lines.”
Gigs Hodges
Questionnaire response summary (view full answers)
1. Removing restrictions on the State Highway Fund to allow more funding for transit & active transportation
“We should absolutely remove those restrictions. As a legislator, I will work directly with the appropriations subcommittee to push for clear budget riders that allow more funding for transit and active transportation.”
2. How to address traffic deaths in Texas
“As a state representative, I will push for a Safe Systems approach that treats every traffic death as preventable. That means designing streets where mistakes don’t cost lives.”
3. Views on highway expansions
“As a legislator, I will oppose expansion projects that put cars over people and push for transportation investments that support public health, climate resilience, and economic opportunity.”
4. How you would help bring regional rail to Texas
“Regional rail is essential to the future of Central Texas. As a state representative, I will actively fight for state funding for regional rail, remove legislative barriers, and work closely with local governments and transit agencies to move projects forward.”
Josh reyna
Questionnaire response summary (view full answers)
1. Removing restrictions on the State Highway Fund to allow more funding for transit & active transportation
“When 96% of dollars are locked into roadways, we are artificially limiting our ability to address congestion, affordability, and safety. I support modernizing the State Highway Fund so more dollars can be used for multimodal transportation; including transit, sidewalks, bike infrastructure, and last-mile connections.”
2. How to address traffic deaths in Texas
“As a state representative, I would: Invest in protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, safer intersections, and traffic-calming designs, expand Safe Routes to School so kids can walk or bike safely.”
3. Views on highway expansions
“I support TxDOT’s recognition that we need to invest beyond road-building, and I’ll be a strong advocate for transit and active multi-modal transportation in Central Texas. I’ll also fight for safe sidewalks, bike infrastructure, and last-mile connections so people can actually get to transit, schools, and jobs without risking their lives.”
4. How you would help bring regional rail to Texas
“Regional rail is critical to Central Texas’ future. As a state representative, I will advocate for state funding partnerships to support regional rail… ensure state law supports transit-oriented development… and remove unnecessary state-level barriers...”
Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch
Questionnaire response summary (view full answers)
1. Removing restrictions on the State Highway Fund to allow more funding for transit & active transportation
“I support removing restrictions on the state highway fund. I [also] support creating state funding streams for transit and active transportation, expanding grant programs for local and regional projects, and better aligning transportation funding with land use and housing policy.”
2. How to address traffic deaths in Texas
“I would push for a shift toward a Safe Systems approach that prioritizes saving lives over moving cars faster. That means supporting roadway designs that slow traffic... It also means tying state transportation funding to safety outcomes.”
3. Views on highway expansions
“I am skeptical of highway expansion as a default solution and believe the state must stop treating it as the primary answer to growth.”
4. How you would help bring regional rail to Texas
“I strongly support bringing regional rail to Central Texas and would work to make the state a constructive partner instead of a barrier.”
Kathie Tovo
Questionnaire response summary (view full answers)
1. Removing restrictions on the State Highway Fund to allow more funding for transit & active transportation
“I support removing such restrictions. I support public investments in transit and active transportation… As Mayor Pro Tem and an Austin City Council Member, I supported Austin's long-term goal of having 50% or fewer of Austinites driving alone to work by 2039…”
2. How to address traffic deaths in Texas
“The strategies Austin has embraced to reduce traffic deaths and injuries would benefit cities and towns across the state, and Texas should provide more education around this issue and (financially) incentivize such programs. As a State Representative, I would support such initiatives.”
3. Views on highway expansions
“Opposed. To my knowledge, no other candidate in this race has previously been involved in this issue. In contrast, as a Council Member and as a community member, I stood in opposition to the I-35 expansion —at rallies and a press conference, as a party to the Civil Rights lawsuit, and in conversations with state and federal officials.”
4. How you would help bring regional rail to Texas
“Stay engaged in ongoing local conversations, support increased funding, and fend off legislative attacks. I am well-prepared to participate as appropriate in local conversations about how to expand CapMetro's Red Line and/or add additional regional lines as well as in the ongoing explorations related to train service between Austin and other major Texas cities…”
Montserrat Garibay
Questionnaire response summary (view full answers)
1. Removing restrictions on the State Highway Fund to allow more funding for transit & active transportation
“I support removing these restrictions as well as removing the prohibition on the use of state funds on high speed rail. That being said, there is not enough funding in the State Highway Fund to meet the needs of the state, and as such, we must look at creating new funding mechanisms that are dedicated to transit and multimodalities.”
2. How to address traffic deaths in Texas
“The most important thing to do to reduce traffic deaths is get cars off the road by investing in robust public transit so that Texans have options. Similarly, we should adopt a Vision Zero framework and complete street standards as well as explore how funding can be tied to safety outcomes.”
3. Views on highway expansions
“We must move beyond a road-only approach and invest in public transit, including regional and high speed rail, and expand multimodal infrastructure such as sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and safe routes to schools.”
4. How you would help bring regional rail to Texas
“I strongly support developing a regional rail system in Central Texas, as well as high-speed rail to connect major parts of the state. As an organizer, I will work to build coalitions among local governments, advocacy groups, and community members to advance equitable, sustainable transportation policies.”
Other HD 49 candidates
These candidates are yet to respond to our questionnaire.
Kimmie Ellison
Robin Lerner
Sam Slade
Texas House District 50
Jeremy Hendricks
Questionnaire response summary (view full answers)
1. Removing restrictions on the State Highway Fund to allow more funding for transit & active transportation
“I support removing restrictions on the state highway fund so Texas can invest more in multimodal transportation.”
2. How to address traffic deaths in Texas
“As a state representative, I would support investments in safer roadway design, expanded multimodal options, and stronger enforcement of proven safety measures.”
3. Views on highway expansions
“I do not support a blanket pause on highway projects, because… thousands of workers rely on them to support their families. At the same time… I am fully committed to building a multimodal future — including regional rail, light rail, expanded bus service, and safer walking and biking.”
4. How you would help bring regional rail to Texas
“I strongly support bringing regional rail to Central Texas, and I’ve been actively involved in the movement to make it a reality. As a state representative, I would work to secure dedicated funding [and] remove legislative barriers…”
Nathan Boynton
Questionnaire response summary (view full answers)
1. Removing restrictions on the State Highway Fund to allow more funding for transit & active transportation
“I support removing restrictions on the state highway fund so transportation dollars can be used more flexibly for multimodal projects, including public transit, biking, and walking infrastructure.”
2. How to address traffic deaths in Texas
“I would focus on a comprehensive safety first approach to transportation. That includes investing in safer street design, expanding public transit and active transportation options, and prioritizing projects that reduce high speed conflicts.”
3. Views on highway expansions
“In many cases, widening highways has proven costly, disruptive to communities, and ineffective at reducing long-term congestion due to induced demand. I support prioritizing maintenance, safety improvements, and investments in public transit and active transportation before expanding highways.”
4. How you would help bring regional rail to Texas
“I will support efforts to bring regional rail to Central Texas by advocating for dedicated state funding for transit and supporting policies that give communities and regional partners the flexibility to plan and build rail projects.”
Samantha Lopez-Resendez
Questionnaire response summary (view full answers)
1. Removing restrictions on the State Highway Fund to allow more funding for transit & active transportation
“I support removing restrictions on the state highway fund so Texas can invest in transportation solutions that reflect how people actually live and move today.”
2. How to address traffic deaths in Texas
“I support a Vision Zero approach, which recognizes that no loss of life is acceptable and that streets should be designed to account for human error. We need to redirect state dollars toward safer street design, redesigning high-injury corridors, and significantly expanding transit...”
4. How you would help bring regional rail to Texas
“As a state representative, I would push for sustained state investment, cross-regional coordination, and policies that prioritize transit over highway expansion to ensure Central Texas can grow safely and equitably.”
3. Views on highway expansions
“I oppose continued highway expansion as a default transportation strategy because it has repeatedly proven to be ineffective and harmful.”
William Rannefeld
Questionnaire response summary (view full answers)
1. Removing restrictions on the State Highway Fund to allow more funding for transit & active transportation
“I do not believe we need to remove existing restrictions to move forward. Texas currently has a significant budget surplus that can be used to invest in new transportation projects.”
2. How to address traffic deaths in Texas
“I would support legislation that requires TxDOT to prioritize and fund safety improvements on the highest-injury corridors first.”
3. Views on highway expansions
“Texas is a growing state, and in some cases highway expansions are necessary. What I do not support is selling out the public to toll road operators.”
4. How you would help bring regional rail to Texas
“As a state representative, I would support the authority, funding, and partnerships needed to move rail projects forward and make sure they are accessible and affordable for everyday Texans.”
Other HD 50 candidates
These candidates are yet to respond to our questionnaire.
Howard Olsen IV
John Hash