State Representative, District 88 - Texas Ballot Compare

Ken King

Republican Incumbent

On ballot as: KEN KING
Current role: State Representative, Texas House District 88 (first elected 2012; in office since 2013; seventh term)
Background: Born and raised in Canadian, Texas
President, Black Gold Pump and Supply Inc., Canadian
Two grown children with his wife, Robin
Member with Robin, First United Methodist Church in Canadian
Co-founder with his wife, KK-125 Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (per campaign)
Memberships include the NRA (lifetime), Texas State Rifle Association and Texas Farm Bureau (per official biography)
Experience: Chairman, House State Affairs Committee
Member, House Administration Committee
Served on the Canadian ISD school board (over five years; president for half)
Served on the Hemphill County Appraisal District executive board (more than four years; chairman for over three)
Republican primary (March 3, 2026): won, 53.9% over John Browning
Top priorities: Campaign site (undated, from about 2018, still posted): "leading the charge to properly fund our local schools"
Campaign site (undated, from about 2018, still posted): "upholding our conservative values and expanding local control"
Campaign site (undated, from about 2018, still posted): "protect our local businesses from job-killing Austin regulations"
Tidbits: Abortion: Campaign issues page (wording unchanged since at least 2018): "he will work to promote our conservative, pro-life values"
Border and immigration: Campaign issues page (wording unchanged since at least 2018): "He will always support border security measures that make our families safer."
Guns: Campaign issues page (wording unchanged since at least 2018): "continue to be a strong supporter of our Second Amendment rights"
Public schools and vouchers: Campaign issues page (wording unchanged since at least 2018): "Ken believes we must level the playing field for our small, rural schools"
Property taxes: Campaign issues page (wording unchanged since at least 2018): "Ken will redouble his efforts to provide our families with the property tax relief they need"
Endorsements: Texas Alliance for Life
TEXPAC (Texas Medical Association Political Action Committee)
NFIB Texas PAC (primary)
TruckPAC (Texas Trucking Association) (primary)
Campaign website: kingfortexas.com

Heather J. Wallace

Democratic

On ballot as: HEATHER J. WALLACE
Current role: Educator (per Secretary of State filing)
Background: Diploma, Whitesboro High School (per Ballotpedia)
Studied at Baylor University, Austin College and American Public University (per Ballotpedia)
Master of Arts in Humanities (per campaign)
Near completion of a second Master of Arts in History (per campaign)
AP World History teacher and speech and debate coach (per campaign)
Has spent most of her career in the classroom (per campaign)
Experience: Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities: Candidate survey: lists "education, rural healthcare", "data centers and water protection, agricultural needs, and first responders"
"Texas works best when leaders listen before they legislate."
"I will fight for strong public schools, local teacher support, academic freedom and honest education"
Supports "strengthening infrastructure and water security in the Panhandle" (per campaign)
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Border and immigration: No public statement found
Guns: No public statement found
Public schools and vouchers: In the 2026 ATPE candidate survey: "I believe public funds should strengthen public schools, support teachers, and keep education accessible and high-quality for all students."
Property taxes: In a 2026 candidate survey: "Property taxes keep climbing. Rural communities feel stretched thin."
Endorsements: Blue Horizon Texas PAC
Avow
Mothers Against Greg Abbott (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: wallacefortexas-district88.org