State Representative, District 80 - Texas Ballot Compare

Don McLaughlin

Republican Incumbent

On ballot as: Don McLaughlin
Current role: State Representative, Texas House District 80 (elected November 2024; took office January 14, 2025)
Background: Co-founder (2000, with his father), DKM Enterprises, an oil and gas pipe business in Uvalde (per Texas Tribune)
Founding member, Cactus Jack Foundation (per campaign)
Grew up in Uvalde and lives there with his wife, Karen
Experience: Mayor of Uvalde (first elected 2014); was mayor during the May 2022 Robb Elementary shooting
Passed House Bill 33, the "Uvalde Strong Act", on law enforcement response to school emergencies (per campaign)
Republican primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities: Campaign site: "Water is the number one issue facing our district and the state"
"working closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement to keep our border secure"
"rein in runaway appraisals, cut wasteful government spending, and drive down tax bills"
"less teaching to a test, more focus on life skills, financial literacy, and career training"
"fighting to protect local jobs, lower the cost of groceries and gas"
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Border and immigration: Campaign site: "Don has seen firsthand the damage caused by illegal immigration, including higher rates of crime, drug smuggling, and human trafficking."
Guns: To the Texas Tribune in March 2025, on raising the age to buy a semi-automatic rifle from 18 to 21: "If all we want to do is raise the age, that's not going to solve the problem"
Public schools and vouchers: Campaign site: "This session, Don secured over $132 million in historic funding for public schools in House District 80."
Property taxes: Campaign site: "Don is still fighting to rein in runaway appraisals, cut wasteful government spending, and drive down tax bills in a meaningful, lasting way."
Endorsements: Texas Home School Coalition
Texas Values Action
Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) PAC
Texas Right to Life PAC
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
Show all 8
Texas Alliance for Life
NFIB Texas PAC (primary)
TruckPAC (Texas Trucking Association) (primary)
Campaign website: donfortexas.com

Cecilia Castellano

Democratic

On ballot as: Cecilia Castellano
Current role: President, AZTECA Designs & Construction (per campaign)
Background: Third-generation Texan from Atascosa County (per campaign)
Member, New Life Christian Center, since 2014 (per campaign)
Married with two children (per campaign)
Experience: Democratic nominee, Texas House District 80 (2024); lost the general election to Don McLaughlin
Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): won, 76.7%
Top priorities: February 2026 Laredo Morning Times questionnaire: "One of my top priorities is saving our rural schools and improving infrastructure in underserved areas."
"investing in roads, water systems, broadband, and school facilities so families and businesses can grow safely and sustainably"
"I support strong border security policies that prioritize enforcing the law, stopping illegal crossings, and giving state and local law enforcement the tools they need"
"I will push for fiscally responsible solutions that protect taxpayers"
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Border and immigration: In a February 2026 Laredo Morning Times questionnaire: "I support strong border security policies that prioritize enforcing the law, stopping illegal crossings, and giving state and local law enforcement the tools they need to protect our communities."
Guns: No public statement found
Public schools and vouchers: In a February 2026 Laredo Morning Times questionnaire: "One of my top priorities is saving our rural schools and improving infrastructure in underserved areas."
Property taxes: No public statement found
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: cecilia4texas.com