Texas › Willacy County › Texas House District 37
2 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 37, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Janie Lopez and Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr. Candidate information follows official Willacy County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Janie Lopez (Republican), Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 37; Janie Lopez 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.
Republican · Incumbent
Janie Lopez is a mental healthcare professional who has worked with at-risk children, veterans and first responders with PTSD, according to Texas Border Business. She previously served as a San Benito Consolidated ISD trustee and board vice president before her 2022 election as the first Hispanic Republican to represent House District 37. She is the incumbent seeking reelection. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.
Democratic
Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr is the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 37 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Ochoa is a lifelong Harlingen resident and graduate of Harlingen High School South with 17 years of experience in public education as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal, per campaign site. He currently serves as Director of Special Education for a local education agency and grew up on a small family farm, per campaign site.
Source: candidate campaign site.
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