Denton GOP Grassroots guide · November 3, 2026
Republican Ballot Guide
Every candidate in the 58 partisan races on Denton County’s November 3, 2026 ballot, with the Republican nominee listed first in each race, grouped by level, plus every local nonpartisan race and proposition on the county’s ballot. Texas has no straight-ticket option, so each race must be marked one at a time.
Illustration provided by Mike Montes.
Our Guide, Not the Official Sample Ballot
This is Denton GOP Grassroots’ guide, not the official sample ballot. Names, parties, and offices come from the county’s countywide preview ballot dated September 9, 2026, checked against the Texas Secretary of State’s certified candidate lists. The Republican nominee appears first in each race; other candidates are listed under “Also on the ballot” by name and party only.
Districts vary by precinct. You will see only your own congressional, State Board of Education, Texas House, county commissioner, and justice of the peace races (and constable, where on your ballot), not every district race listed here. Check your official sample ballot: Denton County Voter Lookup. The county’s election page listed its Sample Ballot Lookup as “Coming Soon” on September 29, 2026; until it is live, see the countywide preview ballot (PDF) and precinct maps.
Local nonpartisan races and propositions (cities and towns, the appraisal district, and water, utility, and improvement districts) are listed under Cities and Towns (with the countywide appraisal district board at the top) and Water, Utility, and Improvement Districts. The preview ballot shows no statewide constitutional amendments.
- 58 races and Republican nominees
- 51 other candidates on the ballot
- 10 declared write-ins
- 8 local races (17 candidates)
- 23 local propositions
- 47 incumbents
- 20 unopposed
Incumbent means the nominee currently holds this office. Unopposed means no other candidate’s name is printed for the race on the preview ballot and no declared write-in candidate is certified. Declared write-in candidates are certified by the Texas Secretary of State; their names are not printed on the ballot. Bios are short summaries of the cited sources. Campaign links appear only when the site was checked and current.
Candidate information reviewed September 29, 2026. Sources
Federal 4 nominees
District race: only the district for your precinct appears on your ballot.
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U.S. Senator
Ken Paxton
Texas Attorney General since January 5, 2015; not seeking re-election to that office. Previously served in the Texas House (District 70) and the Texas Senate (District 8).
Why we support Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate
Also on the ballot
- James Talarico, Democrat
- Ted Brown, Libertarian
Declared write-in candidates
- Avery Ayers
- Bradford "Brad" Hall
- Zul Mohamed
- Jade Simmons
Names not printed on the ballot; certified by the Texas Secretary of State.
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U.S. Representative, District 4
Pat Fallon
U.S. Representative for TX-4 since Jan 3, 2021. Previously Texas Senate District 30 (2019-2021), Texas House District 106 (2013-2019) and Frisco City Council (2009-2012); former U.S. Air Force officer.
Also on the ballot
- Jason Pearce, Democrat
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U.S. Representative, District 13
Ronny Jackson
U.S. Representative for TX-13 since Jan 3, 2021. Former White House physician; served in the U.S. Navy.
Also on the ballot
- Mark Nair, Democrat
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U.S. Representative, District 26
Brandon Gill
U.S. Representative for TX-26 since Jan 3, 2025. Dartmouth graduate (2016); former investment banker and hedge-fund analyst who launched a news outlet.
Also on the ballot
- Steven Shook, Democrat
- Phil Gray, Libertarian
State 7 nominees
Statewide executive offices
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Governor
Greg Abbott
Governor of Texas since Jan 20, 2015. UT Austin BBA and Vanderbilt JD.
Also on the ballot
- Gina Hinojosa, Democrat
- Pat Dixon, Libertarian
Declared write-in candidates
- Edward Earl Giles
- Jenn Mack
- Jinghpaw Majoishingra
- Mike Miller
Names not printed on the ballot; certified by the Texas Secretary of State.
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Lieutenant Governor
Dan Patrick
Lieutenant Governor of Texas since 2015. Founded talk radio station KSEV before entering politics.
Also on the ballot
- Vikki Goodwin, Democrat
- Anthony Cristo, Libertarian
- Kevin McCormick, Green
Declared write-in candidates
- Arturo Espinosa
- Stephen Samuelson
Names not printed on the ballot; certified by the Texas Secretary of State.
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Attorney General
Mayes Middleton
Texas State Senator, District 11, since Jan 10, 2023 (not seeking re-election to the Senate). President of Middleton Oil Company; UT Austin undergraduate and law degrees.
Also on the ballot
- Nathan Johnson, Democrat
- Tom Oxford, Libertarian
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Comptroller of Public Accounts
Don Huffines
Appointed Comptroller by Gov. Abbott and sworn in Aug 1, 2026. Former Texas Senator, District 16 (2015-2019); co-founder of Huffines Communities.
Also on the ballot
- Sarah Eckhardt, Democrat
- V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza, Libertarian
- Shehla Faizi, Green
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Commissioner of the General Land Office
Dawn Buckingham
Texas Land Commissioner since Jan 1, 2023. Physician (UTMB M.D., 1997) and business owner.
Also on the ballot
- Benjamin Flores, Democrat
- Neill Snider, Libertarian
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Commissioner of Agriculture
Nate Sheets
Businessman; served in the U.S. Navy Reserve 1988-1994; Texas State University B.A. in marketing.
Also on the ballot
- Clayton Tucker, Democrat
- Austin R. Kelly, Libertarian
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Railroad Commissioner
Bo French
Fort Worth native, TCU history graduate (1993) and founder of an investment firm.
Also on the ballot
- Jon Rosenthal, Democrat
- Arthur DiBianca, Libertarian
State Courts 12 nominees
Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and Courts of Appeals
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Chief Justice, Supreme Court
Jimmy Blacklock
Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court since Jan 6, 2025. Previously general counsel to Gov. Abbott and six years in the Texas Attorney General's office.
Also on the ballot
- Maggie Ellis, Democrat
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Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2, Unexpired Term
James P. Sullivan
Appointed to the Texas Supreme Court, taking office Jan 6, 2025. General counsel to Gov. Abbott 2021-2025; Rice and Harvard Law graduate.
Also on the ballot
- Chari Kelly, Democrat
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Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7
Kyle Hawkins
Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Place 7, since Oct 27, 2025.
Also on the ballot
- Kristen Hawkins, Democrat
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Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8
Brett Busby
Justice of the Texas Supreme Court since Mar 20, 2019. Previously judge on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals (2012-2018).
Also on the ballot
- Gisela D. Triana, Democrat
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Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3
Thomas Smith
Attorney; University of Akron (1993), Ohio State law (1996) and UT Austin graduate degree (2013). Won the May 26 GOP runoff.
Also on the ballot
- Okey Anyiam, Democrat
- Mark Ash, Libertarian
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Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4
Kevin Patrick Yeary
Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4, since Jan 1, 2015; St. Mary's University graduate.
Also on the ballot
- Audra Riley, Democrat
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Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9
John Messinger
Prosecutor; Baylor Law School graduate (2006).
Also on the ballot
- Holly Taylor, Democrat
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Chief Justice, 15th Court of Appeals
Scott Brister
Chief Justice of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals since it opened Sept 1, 2024.
Also on the ballot
- Jerry Zimmerer, Democrat
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Justice, 15th Court of Appeals, Place 2
Scott K. Field
Justice of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals since Sept 1, 2024. Texas A&M (1992) and UT law (1995); formerly in private practice.
Also on the ballot
- Tom Baker, Democrat
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Justice, 15th Court of Appeals, Place 3
April Farris
Justice of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals since Sept 1, 2024. Former Texas assistant solicitor general and Yetter Coleman partner; Harvard Law (2009).
Also on the ballot
- Marc M. Meyer, Democrat
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Justice, 2nd Court of Appeals, Place 2
Chris Taylor
Judge of the Texas 48th District Court since 2021 (term through 2028), now running for the Second Court of Appeals.
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Justice, 2nd Court of Appeals, Place 7
Brian Walker
Justice of the Second Court of Appeals, Place 7, since Jan 1, 2021. Attorney; served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve 2010-2019.
No campaign website confirmed.
Education 1 nominees
State Board of Education
District race: only the district for your precinct appears on your ballot.
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Member, State Board of Education, District 14
Mindy Bumgarner
Operations director; Austin College (2007) graduate with a doctorate in clinical psychology.
Also on the ballot
- Amy Taylor, Democrat
House 5 nominees
Texas House of Representatives
District race: only the district for your precinct appears on your ballot.
No State Senate seat covering Denton County is on the 2026 ballot. Source: Texas SOS, Offices up for Election in 2026.
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State Representative, District 57
Richard Hayes
Texas House member for HD-57 since Jan 10, 2023. Denton native and attorney (St. Mary's law, 1978).
Also on the ballot
- Ray Stith, Democrat
- Darren Hamilton, Libertarian
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State Representative, District 63
Ben Bumgarner
Texas House member for HD-63 since Jan 10, 2023. Owner of Evolve Weapons Systems; former Flower Mound Town Council member and mayor pro tem.
No campaign website confirmed.
Also on the ballot
- Denise Wooten, Democrat
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State Representative, District 64
Andy Hopper
Texas House member for HD-64 since Jan 14, 2025. Software engineer, software consulting firm owner and small farmer; chief warrant officer in the Texas State Guard.
Also on the ballot
- Julie Evans, Democrat
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State Representative, District 65
Mitch Little
Texas House member for HD-65 since Jan 14, 2025. Attorney; Harvard undergraduate and UT law graduate.
Also on the ballot
- Detrick DeBurr, Democrat
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State Representative, District 106
Jared Patterson
Texas House member for HD-106 since Jan 8, 2019. Frisco resident; studied at Texas A&M.
Also on the ballot
- Joe Mayes, Democrat
Local Courts 15 nominees
District courts and county courts
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District Judge, 158th Judicial District
Steve Burgess
Judge of the 158th District Court. Previously practiced law in Denton County for 14 years.
No campaign website confirmed.
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District Judge, 211th Judicial District
Brody Shanklin
Judge of the 211th District Court since 2014.
No campaign website confirmed.
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District Judge, 367th Judicial District
Brent Hill
Judge of the 367th District Court since Jan 1, 2023.
No campaign website confirmed.
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District Judge, 467th Judicial District
Derbha Jones
Judge of the 467th District Court since Jan 1, 2021. Formerly a solo-practice attorney in Denton; Texas Wesleyan law graduate.
No campaign website confirmed.
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District Judge, 477th Judicial District
Michael Dickens
Judge of the 477th District Court since 2025.
No campaign website confirmed.
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District Judge, 481st Judicial District
Crystal Edmonson Levonius
Judge of the 481st District Court since Jan 1, 2022, after 15 years as a Collin County prosecutor.
Also on the ballot
- Seth Fuller, Democrat
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Judge, County Court at Law No. 1
Kimberly McCary
Judge of Denton County Court at Law No. 1 since 2014.
No campaign website confirmed.
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Judge, County Court at Law No. 2
Robert Ramirez
Judge of Denton County Court at Law No. 2 since his 2010 appointment. SMU law graduate.
No campaign website confirmed.
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Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 1
Lauri Ragland
Judge of County Criminal Court No. 1 since Jan 1, 2023.
No campaign website confirmed.
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Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 2
Susan Piel
Judge of County Criminal Court No. 2 since 2018.
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Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 3
Forrest C. Beadle
Judge of County Criminal Court No. 3 since 2018.
No campaign website confirmed.
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Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 4
Chance Oliver
Judge of County Criminal Court No. 4 since 2018.
No campaign website confirmed.
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Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 5
Coby Waddill
Judge of County Criminal Court No. 5 since 2014. Former criminal-defense attorney (UNT 1994, St. Mary's law 1999).
No campaign website confirmed.
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Judge, County Probate Court No. 1
David Jahn
Judge of Probate Court No. 1 since Jan 1, 2023.
No campaign website confirmed.
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Judge, County Probate Court No. 2
Christopher J. Everett
Judge of Probate Court No. 2 since Jan 1, 2022.
County Offices 7 nominees
District race: only the district for your precinct appears on your ballot.
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Criminal District Attorney
Paul Johnson
Denton County Criminal District Attorney since 2007.
No campaign website confirmed.
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County Judge
Andy Eads
Denton County Judge since 2018 (Ballotpedia); previously Commissioner, Precinct 4 (2006-2018).
Also on the ballot
- Nick Pappas, Democrat
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District Clerk
David Trantham
Denton County District Clerk since Jan 1, 2019.
No campaign website confirmed.
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County Clerk
Juli Luke
Denton County Clerk since 2015.
No campaign website confirmed.
Also on the ballot
- Dale Frey, Democrat
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County Treasurer
Cindy Yeatts Brown
Denton County Treasurer since 1999.
No campaign website confirmed.
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County Commissioner, Precinct 2
Kevin Falconer
Denton County Commissioner, Precinct 2, since Jan 1, 2023. Architect and former chief development officer for Ampex Brands; Texas Tech graduate.
Also on the ballot
- Candace Valenzuela, Democrat
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County Commissioner, Precinct 4
David Wylie
Won the May 26, 2026 GOP runoff; was a district-level delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention.
Also on the ballot
- Stephanie Draper, Democrat
Justice of the Peace and Constable 7 nominees
District race: only the district for your precinct appears on your ballot.
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Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1
Alan Wheeler
Denton County JP Precinct 1 since Jan 1, 2023.
Also on the ballot
- Brandon Chase McGee, Democrat
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Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2
Chris Pochyla
Associate municipal judge and magistrate for The Colony since 2018 and Frisco since 2023, and newly selected associate judge for Cross Roads; SMU law 2001. Won the May 26 GOP runoff.
Also on the ballot
- Katrina D. Moore, Democrat
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Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3
James Kerbow
Denton County JP Precinct 3 since Jan 1, 2019.
No campaign website confirmed.
Also on the ballot
- Trista Willeford, Democrat
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Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4
Harris Hughey
Denton County JP Precinct 4 since Jan 1, 2019.
Also on the ballot
- Will Robertson, Democrat
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Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5
Vince Handler
U.S. Air Force veteran (1989-2009), attorney and certified fraud examiner; Baylor Law 2013.
Also on the ballot
- Patrece Perry, Democrat
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Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6
Blanca Oliver
Denton County JP Precinct 6 since Jan 1, 2023.
Also on the ballot
- Michelle Butler, Democrat
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Constable, Precinct 1 (Unexpired Term)
Trevor Krueger
Denton County Constable, Precinct 1, since May 19, 2026 (Ballotpedia).
No campaign website confirmed.
Cities and Towns 11 entities
Local nonpartisan races and propositions
Which local races you see depends on where you live. Each item in this section and the next appears only on the ballots of voters inside that city, town, or district (the appraisal district board is countywide). Check your own ballot with the Denton County Voter Lookup (official sample ballot); while the sample ballot lookup says “Coming Soon,” see the countywide preview ballot (PDF).
Local races are nonpartisan, so candidates appear without a party on the ballot. Where we note a candidate’s voting record, it reflects our own review. Names are listed in ballot order as printed on the county’s preview ballot. Proposition titles are short neutral summaries; read the full ballot language on the preview ballot.
Local totals: 8 races with 17 candidates, and 23 propositions, from 16 entities. No school district or college district race appears on the county’s November 3 preview ballot.
Countywide
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Board of Directors election
Denton Central Appraisal District
Board of Directors, Place 1 Unopposed
- Angie Cox
Board of Directors, Place 2 Unopposed
- Curtiss Welker
Board of Directors, Place 3
- Rick Guzman (D voting record)
- Edwin Irungu (Swing voting record)
City and Town Elections
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Special Election
Town of Bartonville
Propositions
- Proposition A: Reauthorize the local sales and use tax at 0.625% (five-eighths of one percent) for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.
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Special Election
City of Dallas
Propositions
- Proposition A: $443,000,000 in general obligation bonds for public safety improvements and facilities, including fire, police, and emergency services. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
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Special Election
City of Denton
Councilmember, District 1 (Unexpired Term)
- Ward Franz
- Sunny Busby
- Michael Herron
- Kris Cox
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Special Election
Town of Double Oak
Propositions
- Proposition A: Legal sale of all alcoholic beverages, including mixed beverages.
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Special Election
Town of Flower Mound
Propositions
- Proposition A: Reauthorize the local sales and use tax at one-quarter of one percent for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.
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Special Election
Town of Hickory Creek
Propositions
- Proposition A: Terminate the Hickory Creek Economic Development Corporation and adopt a local sales and use tax at 1.75% (one and three-quarters percent).
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Special Election
City of Justin
Propositions
- Proposition A: Reauthorize the local sales and use tax at one-half of one percent for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.
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Special Election
City of Lake Dallas
Propositions
- Proposition A: Reauthorize the local sales and use tax at one-fourth of one percent for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.
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Special Election
City of Plano
Propositions
- Proposition A: Venue project: a new multipurpose arena in The Shops at Willow Bend area, financed by one or more venue taxes (short-term motor vehicle rental, event parking, event admissions, venue facility use, and hotel occupancy). Ballot says: This is a tax increase
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General Election
City of The Colony
Place 3
- Brian R. Wade
- Eldon J. Pipes
Place 4
- Dan McNew
- Dan Rainey
- Tim Costello
Place 5
- Perry Schrag
- Matthew Michaelson
Place 6
- Matthew Wheeler
- Joel Marks
Water, Utility, and Improvement Districts 5 entities
Local nonpartisan propositions; each appears only on ballots inside that district
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Special Election
Brookfield Water Control and Improvement District of Denton County
Propositions
- Proposition A: Fire protection plan and fire protection and emergency ambulance services agreement with Denton County, and a property tax for fire protection services. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
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Bond Elections
Cole Ranch Improvement District No. 2 of Denton County
Propositions
- Proposition A: $1,379,490,000 in bonds for water, sanitary sewer, and drainage and storm sewer systems (including refunding bonds). Ballot says: This is a tax increase
- Proposition B: $1,525,260,000 in bonds for roads (including refunding bonds). Ballot says: This is a tax increase
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Special Election
Denton County Municipal Utility District No. 7
Propositions
- Proposition A: $2,295,321,000 in bonds for water, sanitary sewer, drainage and storm sewer, and organization and administration. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
- Proposition B: $1,020,586,500 in bonds for roads, including storm drainage for those roads. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
- Proposition C: $3,442,981,500 in refunding bonds for water, sanitary sewer, drainage and storm sewer, and organization and administration bonds. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
- Proposition D: $1,530,879,750 in refunding bonds for road bonds. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
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Bond Elections and Operation and Maintenance Tax Elections
Northlake Fresh Water Supply District No. 1 of Denton County
Propositions
- Proposition A: $542,775,000 in bonds for water, sanitary sewer, and drainage and storm sewer systems (including refunding bonds). Ballot says: This is a tax increase
- Proposition B: $921,900,000 in bonds for roads (including refunding bonds). Ballot says: This is a tax increase
- Proposition C: Operation and maintenance tax for district facilities, not to exceed $1.20 per $100 valuation. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
- Proposition D: Operation and maintenance tax for road facilities, not to exceed $0.25 per $100 valuation. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
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Special Election
Sanctuary Municipal Utility District No. 2 of Denton County
Propositions
- Proposition A: $532,582,901 in bonds for water, sanitary sewer, drainage and storm sewer, and organization and administration. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
- Proposition B: $226,654,764 in bonds for paved roads and turnpikes. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
- Proposition C: $798,874,352 in refunding bonds for water, sanitary sewer, and drainage and storm sewer bonds. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
- Proposition D: $339,982,146 in refunding bonds for road bonds. Ballot says: This is a tax increase
Sources
Show sources (74 links)
- Denton County preview ballot (Active Contest Listing), September 9, 2026 (PDF): every race and every printed name on this page, including each “Also on the ballot” list
- Texas Secretary of State, Ballot Certification Report, 2026 November General Election (PDF): Denton County section, used to cross-check every name and party
- Texas Secretary of State, certified declared write-in candidates, November 3, 2026 (PDF): write-in candidates for U.S. Senator, Governor, and Lieutenant Governor
- Texas SOS Election Advisory 2026-23 (write-in candidate list posted in each voting booth)
- Texas Secretary of State, Offices up for Election in 2026
- Local races: Denton County preview ballot (PDF), pages 3 to 7 (every local race, name, and proposition); Denton County Elections, Orders of Elections, November 3, 2026 (list of local entities); Denton County Elections, Denton Central Appraisal District election information; City of Denton order of election (PDF) and Town of Hickory Creek order of election (PDF) (wording confirmed)
- Denton County Elections, Current and Upcoming Election Information
- Ken Paxton: Ballotpedia; Office of the Attorney General: About the Office
- Pat Fallon: Ballotpedia
- Ronny Jackson: Ballotpedia
- Brandon Gill: Ballotpedia
- Greg Abbott: Ballotpedia
- Dan Patrick: Ballotpedia
- Mayes Middleton: Ballotpedia
- Don Huffines: gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-appoints-don-huffines-as-comptroller-of-public-accounts; comptroller.texas.gov/about/media-center/media-kit/2026/don-huffines; Ballotpedia
- Dawn Buckingham: Ballotpedia
- Nate Sheets: Ballotpedia
- Bo French: Ballotpedia
- Jimmy Blacklock: Ballotpedia
- James P. Sullivan: Ballotpedia
- Kyle Hawkins: Ballotpedia
- Brett Busby: Ballotpedia
- Thomas Smith: Ballotpedia
- Kevin Patrick Yeary: Ballotpedia
- John Messinger: Ballotpedia
- Scott Brister: Ballotpedia
- Scott K. Field: Ballotpedia
- April Farris: Ballotpedia
- Chris Taylor: Ballotpedia
- Brian Walker: Ballotpedia
- Mindy Bumgarner: Ballotpedia
- Richard Hayes: Ballotpedia
- Ben Bumgarner: Ballotpedia
- Andy Hopper: Ballotpedia
- Mitch Little: Ballotpedia
- Jared Patterson: Ballotpedia
- Steve Burgess: Ballotpedia
- Brody Shanklin: Ballotpedia
- Brent Hill: Ballotpedia
- Derbha Jones: Ballotpedia
- Michael Dickens: Ballotpedia
- Crystal Edmonson Levonius: Ballotpedia; judgelevonius.com
- Kimberly McCary: Ballotpedia
- Robert Ramirez: Ballotpedia
- Lauri Ragland: Ballotpedia
- Susan Piel: Ballotpedia
- Forrest C. Beadle: Ballotpedia
- Chance Oliver: Ballotpedia
- Coby Waddill: Ballotpedia
- David Jahn: Ballotpedia
- Christopher J. Everett: Ballotpedia
- Paul Johnson: Ballotpedia
- Andy Eads: Ballotpedia
- David Trantham: Ballotpedia
- Juli Luke: Ballotpedia
- Cindy Yeatts Brown: Ballotpedia
- Kevin Falconer: Ballotpedia
- David Wylie: Ballotpedia
- Alan Wheeler: Ballotpedia
- Chris Pochyla: chrispochyla.com; Ballotpedia
- James Kerbow: Ballotpedia
- Harris Hughey: Ballotpedia
- Vince Handler: Ballotpedia
- Blanca Oliver: Ballotpedia
- Trevor Krueger: Ballotpedia
- Campaign websites and social accounts: each link on a candidate card was checked on September 29, 2026. Social accounts are listed only when the candidate’s own campaign site links to them.