Mary GonzalezServing

Mary Gonzalez

State HouseDemocrat

TX-HD75 State House

Age 42·Mexican-American·Texas State Representative HD-75 (2013-present, 7th term)

Why This Race Matters

Gonzalez is running unopposed in the March 2026 Democratic primary for her eighth term. As the first openly pansexual elected official in the United States, she remains a nationally significant figure for LGBTQ+ representation in politics. Her Vice Chair role on Appropriations gives her outsized influence on the Texas state budget.

Authored HB 499 requiring social media warning labels for minors, which passed the Texas House in May 2025 with bipartisan support. Her district covers the fastest-growing parts of El Paso County along the US-Mexico border.

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

About

Mary Edna Gonzalez is a Texas State Representative serving her seventh term in House District 75, covering eastern El Paso County including the border communities of Socorro, Clint, Fabens, Horizon City, San Elizario, and Tornillo. She made history in 2012 as the first openly pansexual elected official in the United States and the first woman to represent HD-75. A scholar and educator with a doctorate from UT Austin, she has championed border communities throughout her career, helping hundreds of colonia families access public water and sewer systems for the first time. She serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and chairs the national Board of Latino Legislative Leaders.

Family & Heritage

Born and raised in Clint, Texas, a small border community in eastern El Paso County. Graduated from Clint High School. Served as national president of Kappa Delta Chi, a Latina-based service sorority (2013-2015). Co-Chair of the board of directors for ALLGO, Texas' statewide Queer People of Color organization. Deep roots in the border community that shapes her legislative priorities around colonias, water infrastructure, and economic development for the region.

Political Career

Before Politics

Educator and higher education administrator. Worked for former Texas House Dean Paul Moreno and State Representative Richard Raymond early in career. Served as Latino Outreach Coordinator for the Texas Democratic Party. Assistant Director of the Office of Research and Demonstration at the National Hispanic Institute. Program Coordinator of the Multicultural Engagement Center at UT Austin. Assistant Dean for Student Multicultural Affairs and visiting instructor at Southwestern University. Currently serves as Executive Director of MASBA: School Board Members for Latino Equity, independent consultant, and adjunct professor at St. Edward's University.

Education

B.A. in History and Mexican American Studies, University of Texas at Austin; M.A. in Social Justice, St. Edward's University (2009); Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction - Cultural Studies in Education, University of Texas at Austin

Key Issues & Priorities

*Border community infrastructure (colonias water and sewer access)
*Social media and youth mental health (authored HB 499 requiring warning labels)
*LGBTQ+ rights and equality
*Public education funding
*State budget and appropriations
*Agriculture and economic development in border communities

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