Biography
Shelly Nickels is the Democratic candidate for Texas House of Representatives District 122 in the November 3, 2026, general election, running against Republican incumbent Mark Dorazio.[1][2] Nickels is a medical doctor who describes a career as a hospitalist and medical director in San Antonio.[2][3]
Nickels graduated from Katy High School, earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity University in 2001, an M.D. from Marshall University in 2011, and a graduate degree from Trinity University in 2024.[2] In a Ballotpedia survey, Nickels said that medical school and residency took place in West Virginia during the opioid crisis, that Nickels has worked for 12 years in San Antonio as a hospitalist and medical director, and that Nickels has three children under 18.[3]
Nickels described the campaign's main points in that survey as healthcare as a human right, including expanded Medicaid for children, older adults in long-term care and people with disabilities, protection of reproductive rights, and negotiated caps on drug prices.[3] Nickels also said that Texans must have clean air, clean water and reliable energy, and that no further money should go to school vouchers.[3]
- 1.Texas House of Representatives elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Shelly Nickels - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey: Shelly Nickels · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Texas House District 122
Shelly Nickels is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Texas House District 122 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
