The Ballot Brief
Brazos County, Texas

Texas Senate District 5

Schwertner and Thomasson are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Brazos County election filings.

About this race

Charles Schwertner (Republican), Paul Thomasson (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas Senate District 5; Charles Schwertner is the sitting member, per the Texas Senate' official roster. Nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (or a May 26 runoff) or advanced unopposed; the field is the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Charles Schwertner, is on the ballot.

This list comes from official election records but may be incomplete. It can miss, for example, late or petition candidates and some city, school and district races. Your official sample ballot is the final word.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Texas › Brazos County › Texas Senate District 5

Charles Schwertner

Charles Schwertner

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Border security and immigration enforcement, including 287(g) enforcement legislation
  • Second Amendment rights, including authoring the state's constitutional carry law
  • Property rights and eminent domain reform for landowners
Biography

Charles Schwertner is an orthopedic surgeon with a pharmacy degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, per his official Senate biography. He served in the Texas House from 2011 to 2013 and has represented Senate District 5 since 2013, chairing the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce. He is the incumbent seeking reelection.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Paul Thomasson

Democratic

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Raising the state's minimum wage, per KBTX
  • Opposing school voucher programs that redirect public education funding, per KBTX
  • Expanding healthcare access and affordability, per KBTX
Biography

Paul Thomasson served more than 40 years as a full-time United Methodist pastor, per the campaign site. Thomasson helped establish Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity chapters in congregations he served, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas Senate District 5 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Texas Senate District 5, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Charles Schwertner and Paul Thomasson. Candidate information follows official Brazos County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Texas Senate District 5 election in Texas?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Texas are on the Texas election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Brazos County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Brazos County and state election office filings, last verified October 24, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Texas election office, or see the full Brazos County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Brazos County ballot

21 tracked races in Brazos County, Texas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Texas House District 14Brazos County JudgeBrazos County Commissioner, Precinct 2See all 21 Brazos County races
Candidate profiles
Charles Schwertner, full profilePaul Thomasson, full profileOfficial Texas election office