Joe Mayes

Democratic

On ballot as: Joe Mayes
Current role: Retired; writer and co-owner of a Denton bookstore
Background: Bachelor's degree in Legal Administration (per campaign)
U.S. Air Force, 20 years; Master Sergeant (per campaign)
Later Director of Cybersecurity Strategy, global tech firm (per campaign)
Co-owner with his wife, independent bookstore in Denton (opened 2021) (per campaign)
Bookstore: Patchouli Joe's (per Denton Record-Chronicle)
Experience: Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities: "Fully-fund public education for all Texas students and develop a roadmap to establish a world-class education."
"Create economic opportunities for all Texans and require new developments and businesses to pay their fair share of infrastructure costs."
"Protect and defend the constitutionally assured rights of all Texans from government overreach"
"Restrict purchase of residential property to those with residential interests."
Tidbits: Abortion: At an April 2026 candidate event: "There's absolutely nothing moral about having a different set of standards for your health care than there is for mine."
Border and immigration: No public statement found
Guns: No public statement found
Public schools and vouchers: "Fully fund Texas public schools, including banning public funds to private schools."
Property taxes: "Property taxes continue to grow, largely to fill the public school funding void."
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: Texas AFL-CIO COPE
Rep. Gene Wu, Texas HD137, Chair, Texas House Democratic Caucus (listed by campaign)
Eric H. Holder, 82nd US Attorney General (listed by campaign)
VoteVets (listed by campaign)
Mothers Against Greg Abbott (listed by campaign)
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Texas Progressive Caucus (listed by campaign)
National Democratic Redistricting Committee (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: joemayesfortexas.com

Joe Mayes

State Representative, District 106

Joe Mayes