State Representative, District 131 - Texas Ballot Compare

Scott Whitmarsh

Republican

On ballot as: SCOTT WHITMARSH
Current role: Retired machinist (per the Houston Chronicle voter guide)
Background: Not found
Experience: Republican primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities: Not found
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Border and immigration: No public statement found
Guns: No public statement found
Public schools and vouchers: No public statement found
Property taxes: No public statement found
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: Not found

Staci Childs

Democratic

On ballot as: STACI CHILDS
Current role: Attorney; runs Sunnyside Legal (per her Ballotpedia candidate survey)
Background: Bachelor's degree, Hampton University (2009)
Graduate degree, Georgia State University (2011)
J.D., Thurgood Marshall School of Law (2018)
Former language arts teacher
Describes herself as a "former Houston ISD Teacher of the Year" (candidate survey)
Born in Atlanta, Georgia; lives in Houston
Experience: State Board of Education member, District 4 (took office January 1, 2023; resigned August 1, 2026) (per Ballotpedia)
Stepped down to focus on her House District 131 campaign (per Texas AFT)
Gov. Abbott appointed a successor to the seat on August 24, 2026
First State Board of Education member to secure millions of dollars for elementary school intervention (per campaign)
Democratic primary runoff (May 26, 2026): won, 62.1% over Lawrence Allen Jr.
Top priorities: "Strong public schools that prepare every child for success"
"Affordable healthcare and investment in community wellness"
"A fair criminal justice system"
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Border and immigration: No public statement found
Guns: No public statement found
Public schools and vouchers: In an ATPE candidate survey: "ESA vouchers divert limited resources away from the vast majority of Texas students and lack the accountability standards required of public schools."
Property taxes: No public statement found
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: Texas AFL-CIO
Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
Texas State Teachers Association
Houston Police Officers' Union
Houston Chronicle (primary runoff)
Show all 13
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC (listed by campaign)
The Caucus (listed by campaign)
The Houston Black American Democrats (listed by campaign)
The Center for Freethought Equality (listed by campaign)
Secular Houston (listed by campaign)
Harris County Young Democrats (listed by campaign)
The First ASK (listed by campaign)
Houston Progressive Caucus (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: childsfortexas.com