Biography
Mary Klenz is the Democratic candidate for Texas House of Representatives District 17 in the November 3, 2026 general election, after advancing from the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary.[1] A physician, she said in a Ballotpedia survey that she practiced obstetrics and gynecology in the Rio Grande Valley for 25 years.[1][2]
Mary Klenz graduated from South Mecklenburg High School, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1986, an M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine in 1995, and also lists New York University School of Medicine in 1999.[1] In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey, Klenz said she and her husband met as Peace Corps teachers in southern Africa and moved to McAllen, Texas, in 1999, and that they moved to the Giddings area last year.[2]
Klenz said in the survey that her key messages are making healthcare accessible and affordable, including keeping Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid expansion; restoring local control to communities by repealing a state law that overrides local ordinances; and prioritizing long-term investments in education, jobs and natural resources.[2] She also said she is passionate about developing a reasonable immigration policy, and listed the Coalition of Democratic Allies as an endorser.[2]
- 1.Mary Klenz · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Mary Klenz: 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 17
Mary Klenz is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Texas House District 17 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
