Supreme Court allows Texas Republican map drawing in 2026 election
The Supreme Court has allowed Texas to use a Republican-friendly congressional map in the 2026 midterm elections despite claims of racial bias.
- A special election will be held on May 2, 2026 to fill the vacant Texas Senate District 4 seat.
- The seat was previously held by Republican Brandon Clayton, currently the chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.
- Republican Brett Ligon and Democrat Ron Angeletti are the two candidates on the ballot for the position.
- The winner will represent parts of five counties, including Montgomery, Harris, Chambers, Jefferson and Galveston.
Voters in Texas’ 4th Senate District will head to the polls on Saturday, May 2, to choose between Republican Brett Ligon and Democrat Ron Angeletti in a special election to fill the seat vacated by former state Sen. Brandon Clayton.
The region has more than 950,000 residents and is located north of Houston and Galveston, spanning parts of Montgomery, Harris, Chambers, Jefferson, and Galveston counties.
The seat was held by former Republican state Sen. Brandon Clayton for more than a decade before he vacated it to become the new chancellor of the Texas Tech University System in October 2025. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a special election for the seat would be held on May 2nd.
Creighton, a Republican, held the position for more than a decade before resigning in October 2025 to become chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. Governor Greg Abbott then announced that a special election would be held on May 2 to fill the vacant seat.
Here’s what you need to know about this week’s Texas special election.
Who is on the Texas special election ballot?
There are only two names on the ballot: Republican candidate Brett Ligon and Democratic candidate Ron Angeletti.
Mr. Clayton supported Mr. Ligon’s bid to fill the seat.
Who controls the Texas Senate?
Texas is made up of 31 senators representing districts within the state, led by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
the current, 18 with republican party 12 Democratic Party.
When is the Texas special election?
Early voting began on Monday, April 20th and ended on Tuesday, April 28th, according to the Texas Secretary of State.
Voting day is Saturday, May 2nd.
Who can vote in the special election?
Only residents within the precinct are eligible to vote in the election if they meet the following Texas voting requirements:
- they are US citizens.
- A resident of the county in which the application is submitted.
- Be at least 17 years 10 months old on the date your voter registration application is submitted and 18 years old or older on Election Day.
- They are not convicted felons.
- They have not been declared completely mentally incompetent or partially mentally incompetent to vote by a court exercising probate jurisdiction.
Who is Brandon Clayton?
Clayton began his legislative career in 2007, serving as the representative for the 16th State District in the Texas House of Representatives.
In 2014, Clayton was sworn into the Texas State Senate representing the 4th District.
During the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025, Mr. Creighton helped pass a school voucher program and was instrumental in a key victory for Governor Greg Abbott.
He is also the author of Senate Bill 37, which would require state universities to regularly review their curricula and discontinue courses and programs that focus on topics of diversity, equity, inclusion and gender identity.
It would also limit the role of faculty senate members on campus, something the Texas Tech University System Board of Governors did in a recent meeting.
Mateo Rosiles is a Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and local Texas newspapers. Do you have any news tips for him? Email us at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
