Terry Canales

Democratic Incumbent

On ballot as: Terry Canales
Current role: State Representative, Texas House District 40 (first elected 2012; in office since 2013)
Background: Bachelor's degree, University of the Incarnate Word
Law degree, St. Mary's School of Law
Attorney; own law practice, Edinburg
Experience: Chairman, House panel on transportation funding (named 2025)
Member, Calendars Committee and Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Committee (named 2025)
Chairman, House Transportation Committee (2019–January 2025)
Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities: "Investing in infrastructure and mobility to meet the needs of a fast-growing Valley"
"protecting public schools from politicized attacks and funding cuts"
"Ensuring South Texas has a seat at the table in water, energy, health care, and border security debates"
"passing legislation that further strengthens open government and transparency"
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Border and immigration: No public statement found
Guns: No public statement found
Public schools and vouchers: Campaign site: "I was proud to vote for a record $8.5 billion funding increase for schools statewide"; says "there are still gaps in education funding"
Property taxes: No public statement found
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: Texas AFT
Campaign website: terrycanales.com

State Representative, District 40