Texas › Tarrant County › Texas House District 97
2 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 97, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin and John W. McQueeney. Candidate information follows official Tarrant County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin (Democratic), John W. McQueeney (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 97; John W. McQueeney is the sitting member, per the Texas House of Representatives' 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.
Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin is a retired public school teacher who taught French for 29 years at Southwest High School in Fort Worth over a 32-year career, according to campaign background reporting. She has volunteered as a docent at the Kimbell Art Museum since 2012 and is the Democratic nominee for Texas House District 97.
2026 priorities (per the campaign site)
- Fully funded public education
- Affordable healthcare access
- Reduce the influence of dark money in politics
Source: candidate campaign site, roster verified 2026-09-06.
Campaign site →
John W. McQueeney is the Republican incumbent for Texas House District 97 in southwest Tarrant County. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University's M.J. Neeley School of Business who built a business career in corporate leasing, logistics, and national retail development, including owning McDonald's franchises and a FedEx logistics operation before acquiring Chicken Express restaurant locations, according to his campaign site.
2026 priorities (per the campaign site)
- Affordability and economic opportunity for Tarrant County families
- Supporting local schools
- Public safety and healthcare access
Source: candidate campaign site, roster verified 2026-09-06.
Campaign site →
