Texas general election: November 3, 2026
Who is running for U.S. House, Texas District 31 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for U.S. House, Texas District 31 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in U.S. House District 31.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | John CarterRepublican | Justin EarlyDemocrat | Greg StokerGreen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income taxes | Cut taxes across the board, including for top earners and corporationsSaid · medium | Cut taxes mainly for middle and lower earnersSaid · low | No public position |
| National debt | Cut most spending but protect Social Security and MedicareSaid · high | No public position | No public position |
| Social Security | No single answer fits; see evidence | Expand benefits and fund it with higher taxes on the wealthySaid · high | No public position |
| Safety net programs | Keep them, but add work requirements for able-bodied adultsVoted · medium | No public position | No public position |
| Healthcare | Private insurance with more competition and price transparency, keeping protections for pre-existing conditionsSaid · medium | Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All)Questionnaire answer · medium | Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All)Said · low |
| Abortion | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestSaid · low | No public position | No public position |
| Guns | Keep current laws and enforce what is already on the booksSaid · medium | No public position | No public position |
| Immigration | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadySaid · high | No single answer fits; see evidence | No public position |
| Trade and tariffs | Mostly free trade with a few protectionsSaid · low | No public position | No public position |
| Foreign policy | A strong military; help allies only when it clearly serves U.S. interestsSaid · medium | No public position | Pull back from foreign conflicts and aid (often called America First)Said · medium |
| Energy and climate | All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickSaid · high | No single answer fits; see evidence | No public position |
| Politicians trading stocks | No, ban it for members and their spousesVoted · medium | No public position | No public position |
| Supreme Court reform | No public position | Add term limits and ethics rules, and expand the Court beyond nine seatsQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position |
| Qualified immunity | No single answer fits; see evidence | Narrow it so more lawsuits can go forward, with a good-faith defenseQuestionnaire answer · medium | No public position |
| Mandatory minimums | Add or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingVoted · high | No public position | No public position |
| Paid leave | No single answer fits; see evidence | Create a national paid family and medical leave program plus paid sick daysSaid · medium | No public position |
| Student loans | Cap borrowing, simplify repayment, and skip broad forgivenessVoted · high | No public position | No public position |
| AI regulation | No public position | Federal safety rules for powerful AI, with states free to add moreSaid · medium | No public position |
| E-Verify mandate | Require it for all employersVoted · medium | No public position | No public position |
| Transgender athletes | No, and Congress should set a biological sex rule nationwideSaid · high | No public position | No public position |
| Aid to Israel | Keep full aid without new conditionsSaid · high | No public position | No public position |
John Carter
Republican · IncumbentU.S. Representative, Texas District 31
John Carter has represented Texas's 31st Congressional District since it was created after the 2000 census and is Texas's third longest serving U.S. House member2. Before Congress he was judge of the 277th District Court in Williamson County, and he chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs3. He won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary with about 60 percent of the vote2.
Where they stand
- Energy and climate: All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pick
Said · high confidence
- Voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which used tax credits and incentives to speed a shift to cleaner energy. (2022-08-12) source
- Voted for the Lower Energy Costs Act, which expanded oil, gas and mineral production and sped up permits for energy projects. (2023-03-30) source
- His official House website (undated page, accessed Sept 2026) says he believes in an all of the above energy strategy that uses wind, solar, geothermal and ethanol while maximizing production and use of oil, coal and natural gas. (2026-09) source
- National debt: Cut most spending but protect Social Security and Medicare
Said · high confidence
- His official House website (undated page, accessed Sept 2026) says federal spending must be reduced, but not at the expense of programs like Social Security and Medicare. (2026-09) source
- His campaign site describes him as a fiscal conservative who believes in balanced budgets and limited government. (2026-09) source
- Immigration: Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steady
Said · high confidence
- Voted against the American Dream and Promise Act, which offered a path to citizenship for Dreamers. (2021-03-18) source
- Voted against the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which offered legal status to long-time farmworkers. (2021-03-18) source
- Voted for the Secure the Border Act, which funded border wall construction, tightened asylum rules and required E-Verify. (2023-05-11) source
- Voted for the Secure America Act, which provides about $70 billion for immigration enforcement and border security through 2029. (2026-06-09) source
- His campaign site says he fully supports President Trump's actions to close the border to illegal immigration and deport criminal aliens. (2026-09) source
- His official House website (undated page, accessed Sept 2026) says immigration policy begins with securing the border, that people who break immigration laws should not be granted citizenship ahead of legal applicants, and that the U.S. needs an accountable temporary worker program. (2026-09) source
- Guns: Keep current laws and enforce what is already on the books
Said · medium confidence
- Voted against the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022. (2022-07-29) source
- His official House website (undated page, accessed Sept 2026) says he supports protecting lawful gun owners' right to purchase firearms while also supporting fixes to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System so prohibited buyers cannot get guns. (2026-09) source
- His campaign site says the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed and that he has voted against every attempt to restrict gun ownership or create backdoor registries. (2026-09) source
- Healthcare: Private insurance with more competition and price transparency, keeping protections for pre-existing conditions
Said · medium confidence
- Voted for the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, which expanded association health plans and required drug middleman (PBM) price transparency. (2025-12-17) source
- Voted against restoring the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for three years. (2026-01-08) source
- His official House website (undated page, accessed Sept 2026) says people with preexisting conditions should be covered and patients should choose their own physician, pharmacy and services; it also says he supported the 2017 bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and calls for tort reform. (2026-09) source
- Abortion: Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incest
Said · low confidence
- Voted against the Women's Health Protection Act, which would protect abortion access nationwide before viability. (2021-09-24) source
- Voted against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2022, which would protect abortion access nationwide before viability. (2022-07-15) source
- His official House website describes him as a strong supporter of the pro-life movement who opposes using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. (2026-09) source
- Income taxes: Cut taxes across the board, including for top earners and corporations
Said · medium confidence
- Voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which set a 15% minimum tax on large corporations to help pay for energy and health programs. (2022-08-12) source
- Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made the 2017 individual tax cuts permanent, including the 37% top rate, and extended business tax breaks. (2025-07-03) source
- His campaign site says he proudly supported President Trump's Working Families Tax Cut. (2026-09) source
- His official House website (undated page, accessed Sept 2026) says he proudly supported the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which reduced tax rates for most Americans. (2026-09) source
- Social Security: No single answer fits; see the evidence below.
Said · medium confidence
- His official House website (undated page, accessed Sept 2026) says Social Security and Medicare must remain strong and intact, supports eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, and supports preserving the current Medicare program for those 55 and older. (2026-09) source
- Trade and tariffs: Mostly free trade with a few protections
Said · low confidence
- His official House website (undated page, accessed Sept 2026) says he strongly supported the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and notes that many district jobs rely on trade with North American partners. (2026-09) source
- Foreign policy: A strong military; help allies only when it clearly serves U.S. interests
Said · medium confidence
- His campaign site says he believes in peace through strength, supports rebuilding the military, and will put America's security above the global interests of bureaucrats and foreign governments. (2026-09) source
- Aid to Israel: Keep full aid without new conditions
Said · high confidence
- Voted for the $26 billion Israel security supplemental with no new conditions on weapons use. (2024-04-20) source
- Voted for the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, which would require delivery of weapons to Israel that the administration had paused. (2024-05-16) source
- After his Georgetown office was vandalized over his support for an Israel aid bill, said he stands unequivocally with Israel. (2024-04-22) source
- Transgender athletes: No, and Congress should set a biological sex rule nationwide
Said · high confidence
- Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a federal rule basing girls' and women's school sports eligibility on sex at birth. (2023-04-20) source
- Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a federal rule basing girls' and women's school sports eligibility on sex at birth. (2025-01-14) source
- His campaign site says he supports legislation that prevents biological males from competing in girls' and women's athletics. (2026-09) source
- Redistricting: No single answer fits; see the evidence below.
Voted · low confidence
- Voted against the For the People Act, which would require independent redistricting commissions. (2021-03-03) source
- Campaign finance: No single answer fits; see the evidence below.
Voted · low confidence
- Voted against the For the People Act, which created public matching funds for campaigns and stricter donor disclosure. (2021-03-03) source
- Qualified immunity: No single answer fits; see the evidence below.
Voted · low confidence
- Voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would end qualified immunity for police officers. (2021-03-03) source
- Safety net programs: Keep them, but add work requirements for able-bodied adults Voted · medium confidence
- Childcare and pre-K: No single answer fits; see the evidence below.
Voted · low confidence
- Voted against the Build Back Better Act, which funded free universal pre-K and expanded childcare aid. (2021-11-19) source
- Paid leave: No single answer fits; see the evidence below.
Voted · low confidence
- Voted against the Build Back Better Act, which created a national paid family and medical leave program. (2021-11-19) source
- Drug prices: No single answer fits; see the evidence below.
Voted · low confidence
- Voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would cap insulin costs at $35 a month. (2022-03-31) source
- Marijuana: No single answer fits; see the evidence below.
Voted · low confidence
- Voted against the MORE Act, which would legalize marijuana federally and clear past convictions. (2022-04-01) source
- Aid to Ukraine: No single answer fits; see the evidence below. Voted · low confidence
- E-Verify mandate: Require it for all employers
Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the Secure the Border Act, which would require all employers to use E-Verify. (2023-05-11) source
- Mandatory minimums: Add or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl trafficking
Voted · high confidence
- Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I and applies mandatory minimum sentences to trafficking them. (2023-05-25) source
- Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I and applies mandatory minimum sentences to trafficking them. (2025-06-12) source
- Student loans: Cap borrowing, simplify repayment, and skip broad forgiveness Voted · high confidence
- Politicians trading stocks: No, ban it for members and their spouses
Voted · medium confidence
- Voted for the Stop Insider Trading Act, which bars members of Congress, their spouses and dependents from buying new individual stocks. (2026-07-22) source
No public position found on: Minimum wage, Business regulation, Judges, Term limits, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Justin Early
DemocratPrivate citizen
Justin Early is a Georgetown resident and Army veteran who served as a paratrooper at Fort Bragg and later worked on Pentagon network systems after the September 11 attacks12. He works as a cybersecurity architect at Dell Technologies and previously served as a Democratic precinct chair in Tarrant County12. He is the Democratic nominee for Texas's 31st Congressional District3.
Where they stand
- Social Security: Expand benefits and fund it with higher taxes on the wealthy
Said · high confidence
- His campaign site says he would remove the Social Security payroll tax income cap, expand benefits, oppose privatization and fight efforts to raise the retirement age. (2026-09) source
- Paid leave: Create a national paid family and medical leave program plus paid sick days
Said · medium confidence
- His campaign site says he would 'guarantee paid leave for all,' guarantee paid family leave and bereavement leave, and ensure no one loses their job because they are sick. (2026-09) source
- Income taxes: Cut taxes mainly for middle and lower earners
Said · low confidence
- His campaign site says he would 'lower taxes for everyday Americans' and 'shift the tax burden off working families and onto those who can afford it.' (2026-09) source
- Healthcare: Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All)
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence
- Said in a candidate interview that he supports any system that gets the country to universal, publicly funded health care regardless of income or employment. (2026-01-26) source
- AI regulation: Federal safety rules for powerful AI, with states free to add more
Said · medium confidence
- His campaign site says he would pass legislation setting ethical guidelines for AI, regulating AI in hiring, banning AI from nuclear launch and lethal decisions, and requiring tech companies to explain how their AI systems behave. (2026-09) source
- Qualified immunity: Narrow it so more lawsuits can go forward, with a good-faith defense
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence
- Said in a candidate interview that qualified immunity too often shields misconduct from accountability and that federal standards are needed. (2026-01-26) source
- Supreme Court reform: Add term limits and ethics rules, and expand the Court beyond nine seats
Questionnaire answer · low confidence
- Said in a January 2026 candidate interview that 'Supreme Court reform, including expansion or term limits, is needed.' (2026-01-26) source
- Immigration: No single answer fits; see the evidence below.
Said · medium confidence
- His campaign site says he would protect Dreamers from deportation permanently, streamline the path to citizenship for those pursuing legal immigration, end private immigration detention, and focus enforcement on real threats. (2026-09) source
- Energy and climate: No single answer fits; see the evidence below.
Questionnaire answer · low confidence
- Said in a candidate interview that meeting rising energy demand with cleaner energy is essential. (2026-01-26) source
No public position found on: National debt, Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Abortion, Guns, Trade and tariffs, Foreign policy, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Death penalty, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Student loans, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Israel, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.
Greg Stoker
GreenPrivate citizen
Greg Stoker is a former U.S. Army Ranger and Afghanistan combat veteran who later became an anti-war activist, writer and podcast host12. He is the Green Party of Texas nominee for the 31st Congressional District34. In October 2025 he was detained by Israeli forces while traveling with the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, and was later released2.
Where they stand
- Healthcare: Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All)
Said · low confidence
- His campaign site says every Texan deserves affordable, comprehensive healthcare coverage and calls for 'comprehensive universal health coverage.' (2026-09) source
- Foreign policy: Pull back from foreign conflicts and aid (often called America First)
Said · medium confidence
- His campaign site calls for no new wars, says war should be the very last resort, and argues for an 'Americans first' foreign policy that redirects money to needs at home. (2026-09) source
No public position found on: Income taxes, National debt, Social Security, Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Trade and tariffs, Energy and climate, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Israel, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-09-27. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.