State Representative, District 41 - Texas Ballot Compare

Gary Groves

Republican

On ballot as: Gary Groves
Current role: Not found
Background: Graduate degree in economics (per campaign)
McAllen resident for over 42 years, with his wife (per campaign)
Experience: Served on the RNC Chairman's Advisory Board (per campaign)
Served as a Hidalgo County Republican Party precinct chair (per campaign)
Leadership role, "Trump Trains" movement (per campaign)
Republican primary runoff (May 26, 2026): won, 62.7% over Sergio Sanchez
Top priorities: "Balance the state budget without raising taxes"
"lower taxes, the elimination of property taxes, and fewer government regulations"
Border: "strong borders, legal and sensible immigration"
Term limits: "If term limits are not passed, after four terms I will voluntarily step down so others can serve."
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Border and immigration: Campaign site: says he has championed "strong borders, legal and sensible immigration"
Guns: No public statement found
Public schools and vouchers: No public statement found
Property taxes: Campaign site: he is "fighting for lower taxes, the elimination of property taxes, and fewer government regulations"
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: Texans for Lawsuit Reform (listed by campaign)
Chuck Burnett, Republican Party of Texas SREC (listed by campaign)
Melissa Knerr, Republican Party of Texas SREC (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: garyfortexas.com

Julio Salinas

Democratic

On ballot as: Julio Salinas
Current role: Former legislative staffer
Background: Sharyland Pioneer High School graduate (per Ballotpedia)
Attended University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (per Ballotpedia)
Bachelor's degree, University of Texas at Austin (per Ballotpedia)
Experience: Worked for state Rep. Christina Morales (per The Texas Tribune)
Work listed as a legislative director (per Ballotpedia)
Democratic primary runoff (May 26, 2026): won, 55.5% over Victor Haddad
Top priorities: Schools: "Oppose all attempts to funnel public education dollars into private school voucher schemes."
Health care: "Fight in the Texas House to expand Medicaid"
Flooding: "sustained funding for drainage, pumps, levees, and flood control infrastructure"
Workers: "Fight for a statewide Paid Family Leave program"
Small business: "Fight to cut unnecessary state red tape for small businesses."
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Border and immigration: Campaign site: "Demand policies that prioritize safety, order, and human dignity"; wants "real resources for border communities"
Guns: No public statement found
Public schools and vouchers: Campaign site: "Oppose all attempts to funnel public education dollars into private school voucher schemes."
Property taxes: Campaign site: wants "relief against surging rents and property taxes that are displacing working families"
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: Texas AFL-CIO
Texas AFT
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (primary runoff)
State Rep. Christina Morales (primary runoff)
U.S. Congressman Greg Casar (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: julioforrgv.com