Desi MartinezCandidate

Desi Martinez

State HouseRepublican

TX-HD118 State House

Mexican-American·Republican primary candidate for HD-118 (2026)

Why This Race Matters

Desi Martinez is running against GOP Primary: Jorge Borrego (Abbott-endorsed, TPPF policy expert), Joe Shellhart; General: Kristian Carranza (D, 2024 nominee).

HD-118 is one of Texas's only true swing districts. John Lujan won 2024 by just 3.4 points (51.7%-48.3%) against Kristian Carranza. Democrats are heavily targeting this open seat after Lujan retired to run for Congress.

Competitive GOP primary: Martinez has support from Lujan (who put $250K of his own money into the race), while Borrego has Gov. Abbott's endorsement and polling help. Texans for Lawsuit Reform is backing Borrego to keep "another trial lawyer" out of the legislature. 2024 was a multi-million dollar race with Carranza raising $2.47M.

Key dates to watch: Primary on March 3, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Desi Martinez is a trial attorney and professional boxing promoter running as a Republican for Texas House District 118. A lifelong boxing fan and product of San Antonio's Southside, he was raised by a single mother with his brothers, growing up as "the poor, fat, Mexican kid" in places where few others looked like him. He founded Martinez & Associates, PLLC, voted Best Law Firm in San Antonio by Express-News readers four of the past five years, and launched Desi Martinez Promotions to put San Antonio on the international boxing stage. He previously ran as a Democrat in the 2021 HD-118 special election (17.6%), switching parties in 2025, saying "I am more conservative by nature, so I haven't changed who I am."

Family & Heritage

Raised by a single mother with his brothers on San Antonio's Southside. Grew up describing himself as "the poor, fat, Mexican kid" in communities where few looked like him. Started school in West Germany before living in South, Central, and West Texas.

Political Career

Before Politics

Principal attorney, Martinez & Associates PLLC (South San Antonio personal injury firm); Founder, Desi Martinez Promotions (boxing promotion company); Inducted into American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA, less than 1% of attorneys); Named "Best Lawyer" by San Antonio Scene magazine every year since 2009; Super Lawyers honoree 2023-2025; Texas Top 100 Verdicts (2017, 2019)

Education

J.D., University of Oklahoma College of Law (studied abroad at Queen's College, Oxford University); Graduate, Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College

Key Issues & Priorities

*Safer streets and stronger communities - more police presence to reduce crime, prevent car break-ins, and protect families
*Economic growth and jobs
*Infrastructure improvements
*Conservative values
*Law and order

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