Who Charles is
Before he was writing Texas laws, Charles Schwertner was setting broken bones — he's a practicing orthopedic surgeon from Georgetown.
About Charles
Schwertner has represented Senate District 5 since 2013 and chairs the powerful Senate Business & Commerce Committee, which oversees electric utilities, insurance, and banking. He calls himself a sixth-generation Texan and has authored major bills on the state's power grid and immigration enforcement. He's running for re-election in 2026.
Where they stand
- Reproductive RightsDisagree
- Immigration & BorderAgree
- Housing & AffordabilityUnknown
- Public EducationDisagree
- Election IntegrityDisagree
- HealthcareAgree
- Social Security & MedicareUnknown
- Gun PolicyAgree
- Climate & EnergyAgree
Also on the ballot for TX State Senate • District 5
Every candidate on this ballot line appears here, in alphabetical order. Tap a name to read more.
Paul ThomassonPaul Thomasson spent over 40 years as a United Methodist pastor, including time serving patients and families at Houston's Ben Taub Hospital, before running for state Senate.
About Paul
Thomasson is a retired pastor who helped start Boys & Girls Club chapters, Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and ESL programs across Texas communities during his ministry. Nearly his whole family works in public education — his wife, son, daughter, and son-in-law are all teachers — which is part of why he's running against the state's new private-school voucher program. He's making his first run for office in 2026.