Serving
Menendez is running unopposed in both the 2026 primary and general election for SD-26. As a former Chair of the Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus, he remains one of the most influential Latino legislators in the Texas Senate.
Won 2022 general with 66.5% against Republican Ashton Murray. Current term ends January 2027. Has served SD-26 since winning a 2015 special runoff with 59% of the vote.
Jose Menendez has represented Texas Senate District 26 since 2015, after 14 years in the Texas House (HD-124, 2001-2015) and service on the San Antonio City Council (District 6, 1997-2001). The son of Mexican immigrants who grew up working at his family's small business on San Antonio's West Side, he has authored over 200 bills including David's Law (SB 179), which criminalized cyberbullying in Texas schools after 16-year-old David Molak took his own life. Married to Cehlia Newman-Menendez since 1995, they have three children and a granddaughter named Adalisa.
Born March 11, 1969, in San Juan, Hidalgo County, Texas. Son of Maria and Antonio Menendez, Mexican immigrants. Grew up working at his family's small business on San Antonio's West Side. Graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1987. Married to Cehlia Newman-Menendez since 1995; three children: Dominic, Victoria, and Austin; granddaughter Adalisa.
VP and Director of Multicultural Markets at Stewart Title Guaranty Company; National Director for Emerging Real Estate Markets at Stewart Title; Commercial Sales Representative at Stewart Title of San Antonio; began career in residential real estate sales in Dallas specializing in Hispanic homebuyers and credit qualification; former national board member of National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP)
Central Catholic Marianist High School (Class of 1987); B.B.A. in Business Administration, Southern Methodist University; B.A. in Latin American Studies, Southern Methodist University