State Representative, District 9 - Texas Ballot Compare

Rocky Thigpen

Republican

On ballot as: ROCKY THIGPEN
Current role: Vice President, Overseas Hardwoods Company (per campaign)
Background: Stephen F. Austin State University graduate
Born and raised in Lufkin (per campaign)
Retired sergeant, Texas Department of Public Safety (retired 2018)
Former highway patrolman, Texas Department of Public Safety
Vice president, Texas Division of Overseas Hardwoods Company, a lumber importer and distributor (per The Lufkin Daily News)
Show all 7
Lives in Lufkin with his family (per campaign)
Active members of their local church (per campaign)
Experience: Former Lufkin City Council member
Served as Angelina County Commissioner, Precinct 1, after winning the March 2024 Republican primary
The county now lists a different commissioner in the seat
Past service on the Planning and Zoning Board and the Airport Advisory Board
Past board president, Crime Stoppers of Lufkin
Show all 9
Past service on the State Bar of Texas District 2B Grievance Committee
Past service on the Mosaic Center board
Open seat: Rep. Trent Ashby is running for Senate District 3
Republican primary (March 3, 2026): won, 77.0% over two opponents
Top priorities: "Deliver real property tax relief for Texas homeowners and families."
In his June 2025 announcement: "We need strong, conservative leadership that prioritizes public safety, supports our small businesses and helps rural communities thrive and prosper."
To the Lufkin Daily News, July 2025: "I will make life easier for our farmers and ranchers and ensure our law enforcement have the resources they need"
To the Lufkin Daily News, July 2025: "I'm not going to back down from the fight for border security, property tax relief, protecting our rural community and defending our Christian faith."
Tidbits: Abortion: No public statement found
Border and immigration: In a written response to the Lufkin Daily News, July 2025: "I'm not going to back down from the fight for border security, property tax relief, protecting our rural community and defending our Christian faith."
Guns: No public statement found
Public schools and vouchers: No public statement found
Property taxes: Campaign site priority: "Deliver real property tax relief for Texas homeowners and families."
Endorsements: Texas Home School Coalition
Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) PAC
Texas Alliance for Life
TEXPAC (Texas Medical Association Political Action Committee)
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
Show all 23
Greg Abbott – Governor of Texas (listed by campaign)
Pete Sessions – United States Congressman (listed by campaign)
Robert Cartwright – Sheriff, San Augustine County (listed by campaign)
Woody Wallace – Sheriff, Trinity County (listed by campaign)
Tom Selman – Sheriff, Angelina County (listed by campaign)
Chuck Havard – Sheriff, Jasper County (listed by campaign)
Colton Havard – Sheriff, Newton County (listed by campaign)
Brian Hawthorne – Sheriff, Chambers County (listed by campaign)
Bryan Weatherford – Sheriff, Tyler County (listed by campaign)
Doug Page – Former County Judge, Trinity County (listed by campaign)
Mark Hicks – Mayor of Lufkin (listed by campaign)
Bob Brown – Former Mayor of Lufkin (listed by campaign)
Jimmie Cooley – Former Mayor of Woodville (listed by campaign)
Jack and Sue Gorden – Former Mayor of Lufkin (listed by campaign)
Jimmy Ford – Lufkin City Councilman (listed by campaign)
Brent Watkins – Lufkin City Councilman (listed by campaign)
Kenneth Jeffery – Angelina County Commissioner (listed by campaign)
David Baker – Retired Lt Colonel, Texas DPS (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: rockythigpen.com

Shelley Tatum

Democratic

On ballot as: SHELLEY TATUM
Current role: Retired teacher
Background: Lufkin High School graduate
Bachelor of Arts in communications and English, Stephen F. Austin State University (1987) (per Ballotpedia)
Raised in Lufkin
Retired Texas public school teacher, 35 years (per campaign)
Including 2 years in Huntington ISD and 19 years in Lufkin ISD (per campaign)
Married, with two daughters who graduated from Lufkin High School
Experience: First-time candidate for public office (per campaign)
Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities: "First, I will vote to increase the per-pupil allotment provided by the state to local school districts."
"Second, I will work to reduce the often unfunded and stifling regulations that rob classrooms of creativity, passion, and engagement."
"New legislation to protect East Texas groundwater will be necessary"
"Texas can and must take action to support rural health care before more hospitals close"
In a candidate survey: "Texas must regulate the construction and operation of AI Data Centers due to the risk to communities and the environment."
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: "If tax payer dollars are going to be given to private schools, there must be measurable requirements for accountability, teacher training and credentials and testing standards."
Property taxes: In the 2026 ATPE candidate survey: "the burden on property owners is too great. The state should step up to provide the majority of funds rather than the minority."
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: tatum4texas9.com