State of Texas
State Representative, District 97
Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin
Democratic- On ballot as
- Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin
- Current role
- Retired Fort Worth ISD high school teacher
- Background
- Former French teacher, Southwest High School, Fort Worth ISD (29 years)
- B.A. in French, German and political science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Volunteer docent at the Kimbell Art Museum since 2012
- Former board member, voter groups Tarrant Together and Texans Defending Democracy (per candidate)
- Experience
- Ran for this seat (2018)
- No prior elected office found
- Democratic primary runoff (May 26, 2026): won, 56.4% over Diane Symons
- Top priorities
- "Fully fund public education."
- "Protect individual freedoms. Texas should not pass laws that restrict how Texans choose to live their lives."
- "Expand access to Medicaid and reclaim our federal tax dollars to benefit Texans who need it the most."
- Campaign site: "For dark money out of politics"
- Tidbits
- Abortion: Campaign site, under "For freedom in decisions about your health and how to live your life": "No law should restrict what you choose to do with your own body."
- Border and immigration: In a 2026 Fort Worth Report questionnaire: "We need to follow and fund current laws that regulate legal immigration and curb illegal entry into the USA."
- Guns: No public statement found
- Public schools and vouchers: In a 2026 Fort Worth Report questionnaire: "Vouchers should be repealed. Tax money paid by all is meant to serve ALL Texas children."
- Property taxes: In a 2026 Fort Worth Report questionnaire, on cutting property taxes: "doing so without replacing revenue that funds schools and other critical services is irresponsible"
Claims and the record- Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
- Endorsements
- None found in our research
- Campaign website
- bethfor97.com
Open in the full comparison: Tarrant County