State Representative, District 72 - Texas Ballot Compare

Drew Darby

Republican Incumbent

On ballot as: DREW DARBY
Current role: State Representative, Texas House District 72 (first elected 2006; in office since 2007)
Background: Attended San Angelo public schools
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Texas at Austin
Law degree, University of Texas at Austin
Owner, Surety Title (offices in West Texas)
Counsel, Energy and Real Estate practice group, Jackson Walker, LLP
Show all 7
Member, First Presbyterian Church of San Angelo (per official biography)
Native of San Angelo
Experience: Chairman, House Committee on Energy Resources
Member, House Administration and State Affairs committees
Chair, The Energy Council, a multi-state group of legislators on energy issues (per official biography)
Former San Angelo City Council member (per campaign)
Republican primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities: Campaign site (on the site since at least 2021): "Texas must have a secure southern border."
Campaign site (on the site since at least 2021): transportation infrastructure is "a top priority for West Texas"
In a 2024 ATPE candidate survey, his priorities included "Increase overall funding to Texas schools" and "Boost teacher salaries and school safety funding"
Tidbits: Abortion: Campaign site (text on the site since at least 2021): "Drew Darby is unapologetically pro-life and believes that life begins at conception."
Border and immigration: Campaign site (text on the site since at least 2021): "Drew supports any efforts that halt illegal immigration and secure our border."
Guns: Campaign site (text on the site since at least 2021): "Drew supported open carry, constitutional carry, and legislation that makes Texas a Second Amendment Sanctuary state as a protection against federal overreach."
Public schools and vouchers: Campaign site (text on the site since at least 2021): "Texas' future and economic success depends on a strong public education system."
Property taxes: No public statement found
Endorsements: Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) PAC
Texas Alliance for Life
Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND
NFIB Texas PAC (primary)
Campaign website: drewdarby.com

Shiloh Salazar

Democratic

On ballot as: SHILOH SALAZAR
Current role: Advocate (per Secretary of State filing)
Background: Describes herself as "a mom, advocate, small business owner, and lifelong West Texan" (per candidate survey)
Former educator (per same survey)
Parent of a child with special needs (per same survey)
Experience: Ran for County Commissioner (per candidate survey)
Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities: "I support fully funding public education, increasing teacher pay and retention efforts, reducing reliance on high stakes testing"
"I support expanding Medicaid coverage, strengthening rural healthcare delivery models, and investing in preventative and early intervention services"
"I support policies that strengthen worker protections, improve workplace safety, and invest in paid family and medical leave"
For rural Texas, "investing in water sustainability, emergency services, and infrastructure that keeps communities viable"
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Border and immigration: No public statement found
Guns: No public statement found
Public schools and vouchers: In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey, supports "fully funding public education" and "opposing policies that divert public dollars away from neighborhood schools"
Property taxes: No public statement found
Endorsements: Blue Horizon Texas PAC
Campaign website: Not found