Biography
Jeff Chavez is the Democratic candidate for Texas House of Representatives District 8 in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against incumbent Republican Cody Harris.[1] A former journalist and public school teacher, he said in a Ballotpedia survey that his campaign centers on public education and protecting East Texas water.[1][2]
Jeff Chavez earned a high school diploma from Palestine High School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2013.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, Chavez said he worked as an East Texas news reporter after college and then spent three years as a public school educator.[2] He described his family as rooted in East Texas since the mid-1960s and as the son of a Vietnam veteran and grandson of a World War II Merchant Marine.[2]
Chavez advanced from the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026, receiving 5,509 votes in an unopposed race.[1] In the survey, he listed education, equality and civil rights, and protecting East Texas water among his priorities; on education, he said he opposes the state's school voucher program, and on water he said he would seek to replace the "Rule of Capture" law with protections for East Texas landowners.[2]
- 1.Jeff Chavez · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Jeff Chavez - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Texas House District 8
Jeff Chavez is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Texas House District 8 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
