Carmen Montiel

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Carmen Montiel

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 3, 2026

Education

Bachelor's

East Tennessee State University, 1991

Bachelor's

East Tennessee State University

Personal

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Real Estate Broker

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign X

Campaign Instagram

Personal website

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Personal TikTok

Carmen Montiel (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 38th Congressional District. She lost in the Republican primary on March 3, 2026.

Montiel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Montiel changed districts due to redistricting. To read more about redistricting Texas, click here.

Biography

Carmen Maria Montiel was born in Venezuela and lives in Houston, Texas. Montiel earned a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from East Tennessee State University in 1991. Her career experience includes working as a television journalist , news anchorwoman, and real estate broker.

Elections

2026

See also: Texas' 38th Congressional District election, 2026

Texas' 38th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)

Texas' 38th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Democratic primary)

Texas' 38th Congressional District election, 2026 (May 26 Republican primary runoff)

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

The primary runoff will occur on May 26, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary runoff.

General election for U.S. House Texas District 38

Melissa McDonough and William Taggart are running in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 38 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Melissa McDonough (D)
		William Taggart (Independent)

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 38

Jon Bonck and Shelly deZevallos are running in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 38 on May 26, 2026.

		Candidate
		Jon Bonck
		Shelly deZevallos

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 38

Melissa McDonough defeated Marvalette Hunter and Theresa Courts in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 38 on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melissa McDonough	51.6	26,998
		Marvalette Hunter	28.3	14,791
		Theresa Courts	20.1	10,497

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	Total votes: 52,286
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Curtis Cook II (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 38

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 38 on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jon Bonck	47.7	24,288
✔		Shelly deZevallos	18.6	9,473
		Michael Pratt	10.9	5,569
		Larry Rubin	6.7	3,391
		Barrett McNabb	6.2	3,151
		Jeff Yuna	2.3	1,172
		Jennifer Sundt	2.3	1,168
		Carmen Montiel	2.2	1,140
		Craig Goralski	1.5	774
		Avery Ayers	1.5	759

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	Total votes: 50,885
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Damien Mockus (R)
• Wesley Hunt (R)

Green convention

Green convention for U.S. House Texas District 38

Alex McMenemy is running in the Green convention for U.S. House Texas District 38 on April 11, 2026.

		Candidate
		Alex McMenemy (G)

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Endorsements

Montiel received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Montiel's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

• State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R)
• State Rep. Lacey Hull (R)
• State Rep. Mike Schofield (R)
• The Rememberance Project

2025

See also: Texas' 18th Congressional District special election, 2025

General runoff election

Special general runoff election for U.S. House Texas District 18

Christian Menefee defeated Amanda Edwards in the special general runoff election for U.S. House Texas District 18 on January 31, 2026.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christian Menefee (D)	67.5	11,630
		Amanda Edwards (D)	32.5	5,602

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. Source	Total votes: 17,232
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

General election

Special general election for U.S. House Texas District 18

The following candidates ran in the special general election for U.S. House Texas District 18 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christian Menefee (D)	28.9	22,022
✔		Amanda Edwards (D)	25.6	19,467
		Jolanda Jones (D)	19.1	14,549
		Carmen Montiel (R)	6.7	5,110
		Isaiah Martin (D)	5.7	4,337
	Submit photo	Ollie Knox (R)	4.1	3,131
		Stephen Huey (D)	1.9	1,415
	Submit photo	Ronald Whitfield (R)	1.5	1,175
		Carter Page (R)	1.2	943
		Theodis Daniel (R)	1.2	937
		Valencia Williams (D)	1.2	915
	Submit photo	George Foreman (Independent)	1.1	828
	Submit photo	Feldon Bonner II (D)	0.7	555
		Vince Duncan (Independent)	0.5	407
	Submit photo	Reyna Anderson (Independent)	0.3	263
	Submit photo	Tammie Rochester (G)	0.2	135

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 76,189
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Lizette Prestwich (D)
• Jarvis Johnson (D)
• Derrell Turner (Independent)
• Khris Beal (Independent)
• James Joseph (D)
• Zoe Cadore (D)
• Kivan Polimis (D)
• Chance Davis (Independent)
• Corisha Rogers (D)
• Selena Samuel (D)
• Robert Slater (D)
• Ebony Eatmon (D)
• Peter Filler (D)
• T.J. Baker (D)
• Tejas Tuppera (Independent)
• Laverne Crump (D)
• Barry Dewayne Marchant (D)

Endorsements

To view Montiel's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Montiel in this election.

2022

See also: Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 18

Incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee defeated Carmen Montiel, Vince Duncan, and Phil Kurtz in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 18 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sheila Jackson Lee (D)	70.7	110,511
		Carmen Montiel (R)	26.2	40,941
		Vince Duncan (Independent)	1.8	2,766
		Phil Kurtz (L)	1.3	2,050

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 156,268
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18

Incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sheila Jackson Lee	100.0	35,194

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,194
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Cassius Marcellous Evergreen (D)
• Charles Thompson (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18

Carmen Montiel advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Carmen Montiel	100.0	11,087

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,087
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Scott Huckabee (R)

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 18

Phil Kurtz advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 12, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phil Kurtz (L)	90.7	39
		Other/Write-in votes	9.3	4

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Texas' 29th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 29

Sylvia Garcia defeated Phillip Arnold Aronoff and Cullen Burns in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 29 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sylvia Garcia (D)	75.1	88,188
		Phillip Arnold Aronoff (R)	23.9	28,098
		Cullen Burns (L)	1.0	1,199
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	9

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 117,494
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 29

Phillip Arnold Aronoff defeated Carmen Montiel in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 29 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phillip Arnold Aronoff	51.9	1,151
		Carmen Montiel	48.1	1,068

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 2,219
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 29

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 29 on March 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sylvia Garcia	63.3	11,727
		Muhammad Javed	20.7	3,831
		Roel Garcia	6.6	1,221
		Hector Morales	3.0	563
	Submit photo	Augustine Reyes	2.8	525
		Dominique Garcia	2.6	478
		Pedro Valencia	1.0	193

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,538
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 29

Phillip Arnold Aronoff and Carmen Montiel advanced to a runoff. They defeated Jaimy Annette Zoboulikos-Blanco and Robert Schafranek in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 29 on March 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phillip Arnold Aronoff	38.6	2,402
✔		Carmen Montiel	23.6	1,467
		Jaimy Annette Zoboulikos-Blanco	21.0	1,309
		Robert Schafranek	16.8	1,042

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,220
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Carmen Montiel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Montiel's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Faith, Family and Freedom
• We are loosing America to a socialist Agenda
• Take back the American Dream

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Health, Economy, National Security and Education,

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Debbie Georgatos, Rememberance Project, Blues (The largest Police printing in the world)

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2025

Carmen Montiel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Montiel's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a legal immigrant, business woman, survivor of domestic violence and mother of three.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Family
• Economic growth
• Education

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Preservation of our constitution, economic opportunities and safe education.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My parents raised us well, with faith, manners and the importance of culture; They are my pillars.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Stolen Identity, Atlas Shrugged, Del Buen Salvaje Al Buen Revolucionario.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity and active in resolving the issues of our constituents.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a legal immigrant that knows the obstacles we have to overcome as immigrants. I have been working in Charity since I was a teenager.  I understand the importance of helping others. And I am the Mother of three; the most difficult and important work in the world.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Represent our constituents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I never stopped fighting against Socialism=Communism.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

At 12 years old I worked at a Toy Import company for the summer.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Overcoming Domestic Violence

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Intelligent, knowledge of our nation and foundation, protection of our constitution (the greatest in the world)

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. We represent the people. We need representatives with real life experience.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Maintain our position as the most powerful nation.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

No, Representatives spend most of their time campaigning instead of serving the people.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

People are living longer. I believe there should be term limits.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Markwayne Mullin

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

The over twenty year Cancer cluster that is killing our people is touching.  It is unbelievable that this has not been resolved yet.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

To a certain level

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

The American People pay too much taxes

What committees interest you?

Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veteran Affairs

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

We serve the American people, who pay taxes, they deserve to know how our Money is used and for what purpose.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Carmen Montiel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Montiel's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born in Venezuela, I came to the United States of America, legally 34 years ago as a student.

I experience from here how my country of birth was detsroyed and my family had to leave looking for a better life in other countries. A Mother of three (Alexandra, Carmen and Juan Diego) I am a journalist, entrepreneur and business woman.

I have served my community since I came to Houston. And now will continue to do it by this time as a Congresswoman, bringing opportunities and jobs to my district.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Serve the people
• Stop the lies
• I will work for you

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Economy: We need to reduce inflation and reduce expending

Immigration: As immigration in this country has to be legal

Education: The money should follow the student

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Montiel's campaign website stated the following:

“	SECURE OUR BORDERS END HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROSECUTE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FIGHT CRT EDUCATION RESTORE AMERICAN VALUES These values include: Faith Family Opportunity AMERICA FIRST POLICIES These include: Energy Independence Agriculturally Self-Sustaining Ending regulations Choice in education Keeping business in America Supporting small business Creating more jobs	”
—Carmen Maria Montiel's campaign website (2022)

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys

Carmen Maria Montiel participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on February 26, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Carmen Maria Montiel's responses follow below.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

“

1) Jobs 2) Education 3) Immigration

”

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

“

The growing path to loose ara rights needs to stop. Energy Independence

”

Campaign finance summary

---

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

---

Carmen Montiel campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2026*	U.S. House Texas District 38	Lost primary	$105,265	$90,093
2025*	U.S. House Texas District 18	Lost general	$61,174	$41,508
2022	U.S. House Texas District 18	Lost general	$126,359	$122,788
2018	U.S. House Texas District 29	Lost primary runoff	$28,549	N/A**
Grand total			$321,346	$254,389
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also

2025 Elections

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Candidate

U.S. House Texas District 38

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Footnotes

[show]

Texas' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

John Cornyn (R)

Ted Cruz (R)

Representatives

District 1

Nathaniel Moran (R)

District 2

Daniel Crenshaw (R)

District 3

Keith Self (R)

District 4

Pat Fallon (R)

District 5

Lance Gooden (R)

District 6

Jake Ellzey (R)

District 7

Lizzie Fletcher (D)

District 8

Morgan Luttrell (R)

District 9

Al Green (D)

District 10

Michael McCaul (R)

District 11

August Pfluger (R)

District 12

Craig Goldman (R)

District 13

Ronny Jackson (R)

District 14

Randy Weber (R)

District 15

Monica De La Cruz (R)

District 16

Veronica Escobar (D)

District 17

Pete Sessions (R)

District 18

Christian Menefee (D)

District 19

Jodey Arrington (R)

District 20

Joaquin Castro (D)

District 21

Chip Roy (R)

District 22

Troy Nehls (R)

District 23

Tony Gonzales (R)

District 24

Beth Van Duyne (R)

District 25

Roger Williams (R)

District 26

Brandon Gill (R)

District 27

Michael Cloud (R)

District 28

Henry Cuellar (D)

District 29

Sylvia Garcia (D)

District 30

Jasmine Crockett (D)

District 31

John Carter (R)

District 32

Julie Johnson (D)

District 33

Marc Veasey (D)

District 34

Vicente Gonzalez (D)

District 35

Greg Casar (D)

District 36

Brian Babin (R)

District 37

Lloyd Doggett (D)

District 38

Wesley Hunt (R)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (13)