Who Jay is
Jay Hardaway is a fourth-generation Texan who served on the Abilene City Council in his 20s, then went on to work as a district director for a member of Congress and as a senior policy advisor for the state representative whose seat he's now running for.
About Jay
Hardaway graduated from McMurry University in 2005 and returned to Abilene in 2011 to work in his family's business before winning an Abilene City Council seat in 2014. He later became District Director for Congressman Jodey Arrington and, since 2021, Senior Policy Advisor to outgoing state Rep. Stan Lambert, whose open seat he's now seeking. He won the 2026 Republican primary outright with 58% of the vote.
Where they stand
- Reproductive RightsUnknown
- Immigration & BorderUnknown
- Housing & AffordabilityUnknown
- Public EducationUnknown
- Election IntegrityUnknown
- HealthcareUnknown
- Social Security & MedicareUnknown
- Gun PolicyUnknown
- Climate & EnergyUnknown
Also on the ballot for TX State House • District 71
Every candidate on this ballot line appears here, in alphabetical order. Tap a name to read more.
Diana LunaDiana Luna was born at Hendrick Hospital in Abilene and has spent nearly 20 years managing nonprofit programs funded by government grants, including refugee services and health insurance help.
About Diana
Luna grew up in Abilene, went to Ortiz Elementary and Cooper High School, and built a career auditing and supervising government-funded nonprofit programs. She organizes locally with Liberal Moms of Abilene and the Taylor County Democratic Party, and she's running for the open HD 71 seat on a platform centered on public schools, workers, and affordable housing.