U.S. Representative, District 17 - Texas Ballot Compare

Pete Sessions

Republican Incumbent

On ballot as: Pete Sessions
Current role: U.S. Representative, Texas District 17 (since January 2021)
Background: Graduate, Southwestern University (1978)
Southwestern Bell, 16 years; retired as a district manager (per campaign)
Born and raised in Waco; lives in Waco (per campaign)
Experience: Chair, Oversight subcommittee on Government Operations (per campaign)
Member, Financial Services Committee (per campaign)
U.S. House member (1997–2019)
Chair, House Rules Committee (2013–2019)
Chair, National Republican Congressional Committee (2009–2012)
Member, Board of Trustees, Southwestern University (2007–2019) (per campaign)
Top priorities: "Keep America safe through a strong national defense"
"Balance the federal budget without raising any new taxes"
"Stand with President Trump to build the wall and strengthen our immigration laws"
"Deliver better health care to families at lower costs"
"Ensure the U.S. stays competitive with a renewed commitment to Research and Development"
Tidbits: Abortion: Campaign site: "Pete Sessions is a pro-life conservative"
Immigration: "Solving our immigration crisis involves more than just building the wall on the southern border, which I wholeheartedly support."
Guns: Campaign site: "Pete Sessions defends our gun rights"
Health care: Campaign site lists as a goal: "Deliver better health care to families at lower costs"
Claims and the record
2019 Giuliani associates indictment: A 2019 federal indictment of two Giuliani associates cited an unnamed congressman, reported to be Sessions; he was not named or charged. A grand jury subpoenaed his records; his spokesman said he was cooperating. We found no record of any charge against him. He denied wrongdoing: "At no time did I take any official action".
Endorsements: President Donald Trump (primary)
Texas Alliance for Life (primary)
National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (listed by campaign)
National Right to Life (listed by campaign)
Susan B. Anthony List's Candidate Fund PAC (listed by campaign)
Show all 9
Family Research Council Action PAC (listed by campaign)
Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND (listed by campaign)
Texans for Life Coalition (listed by campaign)
Pro-Life Texans, a Human Coalition Action PAC (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: petesessions.com

Casey Shepard

Democratic

On ballot as: Casey Shepard
Current role: Criminal defense attorney for indigent clients in McLennan County (per his Ballotpedia survey)
Background: Graduate, Midway High School near Waco (1999) (per campaign)
Bachelor's degree, Loyola Marymount University (2003)
Law degree, University of California, Davis School of Law (2007)
Seventh-generation Texan (per campaign)
Returned to Waco in 2010 (per campaign)
Experience: Attorney, Central Texas (since 2011); indigent criminal defense focus (per campaign)
Democratic primary runoff (May 26, 2026): won
Top priorities: "Protect the separation of powers by making sure Congress can fully check the actions of the executive branch"
"Strengthen support for families by fully funding SNAP and school breakfast and lunch programs"
"Restore support for Medicaid and Medicare"
"Encourage new housing development by offering tax incentives that make it easier to build affordable homes"
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Immigration: Wants "immigrants welcomed as partners in rebuilding the American dream"
Guns: No public statement found
Health care: "Restore support for Medicaid and Medicare to ensure seniors, families, and people with disabilities receive the care they need."
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: Texas AFL-CIO
Austin American-Statesman Editorial Board (primary)
Campaign website: caseyshepardforcongress.com