Who Wesley is
Wes Virdell spent seven years in the Air Force, then came home to run his own trucking business before becoming Texas's top gun-rights advocate and, eventually, a state lawmaker.
About Wesley
Born in Brownwood and raised in Brady, Virdell served in the U.S. Air Force from 2001 to 2008, later owned a trucking company, and worked as Texas state director for Gun Owners of America before winning Texas House District 53 in 2024 with 76% of the vote. He's now seeking reelection after a first term focused on gun rights, energy policy, and opposition to abortion.
Where they stand
- Reproductive RightsDisagree
- Immigration & BorderUnknown
- Housing & AffordabilityUnknown
- Public EducationAgree
- Election IntegrityDisagree
- HealthcareUnknown
- Social Security & MedicareUnknown
- Gun PolicyAgree
- Climate & EnergyAgree
Also on the ballot for TX State House • District 53
Every candidate on this ballot line appears here, in alphabetical order. Tap a name to read more.
Kathryn HartmannKathryn Hartmann started out teaching high school physics in Bandera, then went back to school and became a doctor of physical therapy who treats kids.
About Kathryn
A fifth-generation Texan born in McAllen, Hartmann earned a paralegal certificate before eventually completing a doctorate in physical therapy at UTMB-Galveston, and has spent her career doing pediatric physical therapy in homes, schools, hospitals, and clinics across the Hill Country. She's running for Texas House District 53 to push back on rural hospital closures, cuts to school resources for kids with disabilities, and food insecurity in her district.