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Cody Grace
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Cody Grace (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 6. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Grace completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Cody Grace was born in Tyler, Texas. He earned an associate degree from Tyler Junior College in 2004. Grace also attended the University of Texas at Tyler. His career experience includes working as a technology solutions consultant and small business owner. Previously, he worked as an IT technician in public education and an IT director in healthcare.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Texas House of Representatives District 6
Daniel Alders defeated Cody Grace in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 6 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Daniel Alders (R)  | 71.8 | 56,497 |
 | Cody Grace (D) | 28.2 | 22,158 | |
| Total votes: 78,655 | |||
| = 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 Texas House of Representatives District 6
Cody Grace advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 6 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Cody Grace | 100.0 | 3,507 |
| Total votes: 3,507 | |||
| = 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 Texas House of Representatives District 6
Daniel Alders advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 6 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Daniel Alders | 100.0 | 16,342 |
| Total votes: 16,342 | |||
| = 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 finance
Endorsements
Grace received the following endorsements.
Pledges
Grace signed the following pledges.
2022
See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Texas House of Representatives District 6
Incumbent Matt Schaefer defeated Cody Grace in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 6 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Matt Schaefer (R) | 73.3 | 43,841 |
| Cody Grace (D) | 26.7 | 15,975 | |
| Total votes: 59,816 | |||
| = 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 Texas House of Representatives District 6
Cody Grace advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 6 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Cody Grace | 100.0 | 4,284 |
| Total votes: 4,284 | |||
| = 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 Texas House of Representatives District 6
Incumbent Matt Schaefer defeated Charles Turner in the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 6 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Matt Schaefer | 88.9 | 17,994 |
| Charles Turner | 11.1 | 2,251 | ||
| Total votes: 20,245 | |||
| = 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 finance
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Cody Grace completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Grace's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Hi, I'm Cody and im a father, a small business owner and a native of Tyler Texas. I started my first computer business when I was 16 and have worked in technology for my entire career in the healthcare, education, manufacturing and service industries. There is a significant gap of technology aware policy makers in state and fed government. I want to close this gap. I consider myself fiscally conservative due to owning several businesses but also socially liberal. I think that government should act as the guardrails on society and not the driving force behind society. I care deeply about community building and making sure we have all of the tools for success in our schools, cities, and counties.
- My goal is to limit the role that TX government has on healthcare. The state has created unnecessary barriers between patients and their doctors. These must come down. Politicians and elected officials have no place in the exam room. The state's overreach has unnecessarily complicated the patient-doctor relationship, and I stand firm in my belief that healthcare decisions should be made without political influence. It is essential to dismantle these obstacles to ensure healthcare remains a private and personalized matter, free from the undue influence of politicians and elected officials.
- As your representative, I'm committed to ensuring that our schools receive the funding they need to attract and retain the highest caliber of educators. I believe in a holistic approach to education, where the value of a student's learning isn't measured solely by standardized tests. Instead, I advocate for a more comprehensive evaluation system that recognizes diverse talents and achievements, fostering an environment where every student can thrive. This shift will not only enrich our educational landscape but also empower our teachers and students to excel beyond conventional metrics.
- As your State Representative, I am committed to enhancing border security between Texas and Mexico through collaborative efforts with federal representatives on immigration reform. My strategy includes initiating day labor visa programs, enforcing E-Verify, and bolstering funding for border patrol to empower them to perform their duties more effectively. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure a balanced and secure immigration system.
I am dedicated to safeguarding our communities against gun violence and crime through comprehensive measures. This includes the implementation of mental health initiatives, strengthening community programs, and enacting sensible gun control that aligns with the Second Amendment. Our approach aims to protect schools, urban areas, and law enforcement officers, ensuring a balanced strategy that respects individual rights while enhancing public safety.
My perspectives have been shaped by a wide array of films and books, many of which are not directly political. My focus on business, operations, and critical thinking has led me to regard several works as foundational. Among these, "Good to Great" by Jim Collins offers insights into making organizations exceptional, "The Personal MBA" by Josh Kaufman provides a comprehensive overview of essential business concepts, and Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" explores the profound impact of finding purpose in life, even in the harshest conditions.
As an elected official, integrity, transparency, and accountability stand as foundational principles guiding my actions. Integrity ensures that every decision I make is in the best interest of our community, adhering to moral and ethical standards. Transparency is crucial for building trust with constituents, ensuring that my actions and decisions are open and accessible for scrutiny. Accountability means I am responsible for my decisions and their impacts, ready to address any concerns and make necessary adjustments. These principles, combined with a deep commitment to serving the community's needs, define my approach to leadership.
The core responsibilities of someone elected to this office include legislating with the community's needs at the forefront, representing the interests and voices of constituents in policy discussions, and ensuring transparency and accountability in all actions. It's about advocating for policies that improve public welfare, education, healthcare, and safety, while also being responsive and accessible to the people we serve. Engaging in effective communication with constituents and stakeholders is key to understanding their concerns and working collaboratively towards solutions that benefit the broader community.
My first job was as a concession stand operator for a local church gym. I served popcorn, candy and soft drinks to everyone that came to karate class or to play basketball.
The ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature is one of collaboration and mutual respect. It should be a partnership focused on serving the best interests of the public, with both branches working together to craft and implement policies that address the state's challenges. Effective communication and a willingness to negotiate are key, ensuring that diverse perspectives lead to comprehensive solutions. This dynamic allows for a balanced approach to governance, where checks and balances function properly, and the voices of all constituents are considered in decision-making processes.
Texas faces several significant challenges in the coming decade, including managing rapid population growth, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare and education, addressing climate change impacts, and balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. Additionally, improving infrastructure to support the growing population and advancing technology integration in public services are critical. Addressing these challenges requires innovative policies and collaboration across all levels of government and communities to ensure a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future for Texas.
While previous experience in government or politics can be valuable, I believe that diverse backgrounds contribute significantly to effective legislation. Bringing varied perspectives, especially from sectors like technology, education, and business, enriches policy-making, offering innovative solutions to complex issues. It's critical for legislators to understand governance principles, but real-world experience outside the political sphere can provide unique insights and approaches to public service, enhancing our ability to address constituents' needs comprehensively.
Absolutely, building relationships with other legislators is crucial for effective governance. It enables collaboration and the exchange of ideas, fostering an environment where bipartisan solutions can emerge. By understanding different perspectives, we can craft more comprehensive and balanced policies that better serve our constituents. These relationships also facilitate negotiation and compromise, essential elements in the legislative process to ensure progress and address the diverse needs of our community.
I admire the approach of Lyndon B. Johnson, especially for his efforts in civil rights and education. His ability to navigate complex legislative processes to pass significant reforms, like the Civil Rights Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, showcases the impact a dedicated legislator can have. His blend of political acumen and commitment to societal progress serves as a model for how I aim to serve, focusing on impactful legislation that addresses the core needs of our community.
At this moment, my focus is entirely on serving effectively in my current role and addressing the immediate needs and challenges of my constituents. While the future holds many possibilities, my commitment remains on making a significant impact in my current capacity. The idea of running for another political office may be considered down the line, but it would be driven by where I believe I can make the greatest difference for the people I serve.
I have lived in my district for my entire life. I have personal relationships with so many people here and they all have their stories. I have talked to mothers, teachers, business owners, and students. Almost everyone is concerned about the future.
Yes, the legislature should have a role in overseeing and granting the use of emergency powers. It's crucial for maintaining a balance of power and ensuring that decisions made during emergencies are in the public's best interest. Oversight by the legislature adds a layer of accountability and transparency, ensuring that emergency powers are used judiciously and effectively, without infringing on citizens' rights or extending beyond the necessary scope of the crisis at hand.
If elected, the first bill I would introduce would focus on enhancing public education funding. This legislation would aim to ensure equitable funding across all school districts, support the recruitment and retention of top teachers, and reduce reliance on standardized testing as the primary metric for student success. My goal is to create a more balanced, student-focused education system that prepares young Texans for a bright future.
Moms Demand Action, 314 PAC, Mothers for Democracy
I am very interested in serving on the Public Education Committee, given my strong commitment to enhancing education systems and policies. Additionally, the formation of a new Technology Committee aligns perfectly with my background as a tech entrepreneur. With my extensive experience in both sectors, I believe I can offer valuable insights and innovative solutions to address the challenges and opportunities in education and technology, making a significant impact in shaping the future of our state in these critical areas.
I firmly believe in the utmost importance of financial transparency and government accountability. These principles are crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring that government actions reflect the best interests of the people. Financial transparency allows citizens to see where and how their money is being used, fostering a culture of openness and preventing corruption. Government accountability ensures that elected officials and public servants are answerable for their actions and decisions, promoting efficiency and ethical governance. Together, these practices empower citizens, encourage responsible stewardship of public resources, and uphold democracy.
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
Cody Grace completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Grace's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I was born and raised in Tyler Texas and have lived here my entire life. I am a single father and a home owner. I am also a small business owner and entrepreneur that has worked in the technology services industry for over 20 years. I have been involved in the chamber of commerce and multiple professional organizations.
- I am a business owner that understands the needs of small business, small business growth, the need for an educated workforce and the need for stable infrastructure. I believe in rising tides raising all boats.
- I am a single father that knows the challenges of raising a child alone in the public education system while also trying to have a career.
- I believe that partisan politics have become a hinderance to everyday Americans. I want to work towards good policy regardless of the political agenda.
Family Court Reform.
Family court is an incredibly destructive force on children and single parents. I want to make it more equitable for all involved.
Legalizing and Taxing Marijuana
This is such an overwhelmingly important goal for me. We are not enforcing possession laws equally among different communities. Our court systems and jails are full of minor possession charges. Young families are broken up over minor possession charges which is detrimental to children of offenders and creates a single parent situation. This has a domino effect on education and increasing crime rates. All of that and we could potentially generate 2Billion dollars annually in tax revenue that could go towards education, border security etc.
Healthcare expansion.
Texas is the number 1 uninsured state in the US due to the fact that we never appropriated the 15Billion dollars from the Affordable Care Act. This is money that should be going towards impoverished women and children, but sadly, it is not. I want to be one of the members that will push this item through the house and grant relief to our citizens in need.
.
Cyber Security Legislation
I fundamentally do not believe that any person has more value than any other person but there are people with a ton of life experience and I find that incredibly valuable. Politically, I look up to Bernie Sanders and Barack Obama. Bernie because of his constant commitment to the working class even if he does not succeed at his goals. He continues to persevere and I admire that immensely. I admire President Obama for multiple reasons, I liked the way he kept his cool under incredible pressure and stonewalling from his Congressional opposition. I would follow both of their examples among so many others. It takes a collection of leadership lessons to move forward, not just one will do.
I cant think of one at the moment.
Empathy, listening skills, leadership skills and out-of-the-box thinking.
I can listen to multiple sides of an argument and understand the core challenges then take those core challenges and form an action plan.
There is a balance between leadership and listening. It is important to lead your constituents in a direction that brings value to everyone but it is also important to listen to your constituents and determine their needs, wants, and desires.
I think of a house representative's role as "Customer Service" for the state.
I think of a house representative's role as "Customer Service" for the state.
I want to make sure that our children are more educated, informed and have less trauma associated with divorce or family separation.
I remeber watching the Berlin wall being torn down on TV. I remember wondering why they built a wall and why they were tearing it down. Wouldnt it be easier to just not build it? I would have been around 6 years old at the time.
My first job was at a concession stand for a church recreational facility. I was responsible for selling drinks and refreshments as well as locking up the building at the end of the night and counting the cash drawer. It was a great first job.
The Art of War, Sun Tzu. This book is small and interesting. It makes me think about confrontation and how to avoid it.
Kanye West...
(See, there's your joke)
(See, there's your joke)
Not Fade Away / Going down the road feeling bad (from the Fillmore East 1975). Grateful Dead. I do love the Dead.
I have suffered from family abuse and abandonment which has caused a large amount of emotional and physical trauma. My mission is to make sure no one else suffers from these same things.
There should be healthy respect between the different branches of government. That being said, I think the key to good relationships is honest communication and open dialog. This is a necessity to passing legislation that represents everyone.
We will hit a wall in infrastructure and human capital in the next decade. Texas has seen massive growth in the last 10 years and we are not scaling our infrastructure or education systems to meet this growth. We are also seeing a large number of businesses move to our state for tax purposes. If we do not meet their needs with an educated workforce or sustainable infrastructure then those businesses will move to a state that will meet their needs.
Texas is bicameral so this question is somewhat irrelevant. I would imagine that a unicameral state lege would be able to swiftly pass legislation but it does not have the broad representational scope of a bicameral legislature.
Not at all. The system is broken right now and we need to return to servant leaders and citizen representation.
Absolutely. We should all be working towards the goal of making our state better. Understanding each other's districts and constituent needs is a must to understand how policies will affect people in other districts.
I have not studied all of the different methods for redistricting. I do believe that an unbiased third party (citizen committees etc) should have a say in the redistricting process along with the legislators.
I am still looking at all of the potential committees that I would like to be part of. The Business and Industry committee stands out the most at this time.
No. We are all unique and I want to bring my unique perspective to the legislature
I am not at this time. I have a small business and a daughter that need my attention more than higher offices.
I have heard so many that move me. Stories of teen suicide, single parents trying to make ends meet while still focusing on their kids, and mental health issues at our county jail all have had a huge impact on me. I see these people and hear their stories daily. I can't pick one over another.
Lol, my jokes are more situational, sarcastic and require a lot of back story.
There should be some oversight on emergency powers from a legislative perspective.
Desirable and necessary are both requirements for passing equitable policy. If you think of a representative as a collection of people and all of the representatives together as every person in the state, then equitable policy requires input from all members. I understand that this may be naive and utopian but in theory, it is the best way to represent all. I would like to make policy that is as equitable as possible.
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 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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Texas House of Representatives District 6 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 31, 2022
Current members of the Texas House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Dustin Burrows
Representatives
District 1
Gary VanDeaver (R)
District 2
Brent Money (R)
District 3
Cecil Bell (R)
District 4
Keith Bell (R)
District 5
Cole Hefner (R)
District 6
Daniel Alders (R)
District 7
Jay Dean (R)
District 8
Cody Harris (R)
District 9
Trent Ashby (R)
District 10
Brian Harrison (R)
District 11
Joanne Shofner (R)
District 12
Trey Wharton (R)
District 13
Angelia Orr (R)
District 14
Paul Dyson (R)
District 15
Steve Toth (R)
District 16
Will Metcalf (R)
District 17
Stan Gerdes (R)
District 18
Janis Holt (R)
District 19
Ellen Troxclair (R)
District 20
Terry Wilson (R)
District 21
Dade Phelan (R)
District 22
Christian Manuel (D)
District 23
Terri Leo-Wilson (R)
District 24
Greg Bonnen (R)
District 25
Cody Vasut (R)
District 26
Matt Morgan (R)
District 27
Ron Reynolds (D)
District 28
Gary Gates (R)
District 29
Jeffrey Barry (R)
District 30
A.J. Louderback (R)
District 31
Ryan Guillen (R)
District 32
Todd Hunter (R)
District 33
Katrina Pierson (R)
District 34
District 35
Oscar Longoria (D)
District 36
Sergio Munoz (D)
District 37
Janie Lopez (R)
District 38
Erin Gamez (D)
District 39
Armando Martinez (D)
District 40
Terry Canales (D)
District 41
Robert Guerra (D)
District 42
Richard Raymond (D)
District 43
J.M. Lozano (R)
District 44
Alan Schoolcraft (R)
District 45
Erin Zwiener (D)
District 46
Sheryl Cole (D)
District 47
Vikki Goodwin (D)
District 48
Donna Howard (D)
District 49
Gina Hinojosa (D)
District 50
James Talarico (D)
District 51
District 52
Caroline Harris (R)
District 53
Wesley Virdell (R)
District 54
Brad Buckley (R)
District 55
Hillary Hickland (R)
District 56
Pat Curry (R)
District 57
Richard Hayes (R)
District 58
Helen Kerwin (R)
District 59
Shelby Slawson (R)
District 60
Mike Olcott (R)
District 61
District 62
Shelley Luther (R)
District 63
Ben Bumgarner (R)
District 64
Andy Hopper (R)
District 65
Mitch Little (R)
District 66
Matt Shaheen (R)
District 67
Jeff Leach (R)
District 68
David Spiller (R)
District 69
James Frank (R)
District 70
Mihaela Plesa (D)
District 71
Stan Lambert (R)
District 72
Drew Darby (R)
District 73
Carrie Isaac (R)
District 74
Eddie Morales (D)
District 75
Mary Gonzalez (D)
District 76
Suleman Lalani (D)
District 77
Vincent Perez (D)
District 78
Joseph Moody (D)
District 79
Claudia Ordaz (D)
District 80
Don McLaughlin (R)
District 81
Brooks Landgraf (R)
District 82
Tom Craddick (R)
District 83
Dustin Burrows (R)
District 84
Carl Tepper (R)
District 85
Stan Kitzman (R)
District 86
John Smithee (R)
District 87
Caroline Fairly (R)
District 88
Ken King (R)
District 89
Candy Noble (R)
District 90
Ramon Romero (D)
District 91
David Lowe (R)
District 92
Salman Bhojani (D)
District 93
Nate Schatzline (R)
District 94
Tony Tinderholt (R)
District 95
Nicole Collier (D)
District 96
David Cook (R)
District 97
John McQueeney (R)
District 98
District 99
Charlie Geren (R)
District 100
Venton Jones (D)
District 101
Chris Turner (D)
District 102
Ana-Maria Ramos (D)
District 103
Rafael Anchia (D)
District 104
Jessica Gonzalez (D)
District 105
Terry Meza (D)
District 106
Jared Patterson (R)
District 107
Linda Garcia (D)
District 108
Morgan Meyer (R)
District 109
Aicha Davis (D)
District 110
Toni Rose (D)
District 111
Yvonne Davis (D)
District 112
Angie Button (R)
District 113
Rhetta Bowers (D)
District 114
John Bryant (D)
District 115
District 116
Trey Fischer (D)
District 117
Philip Cortez (D)
District 118
John Lujan (R)
District 119
Elizabeth Campos (D)
District 120
District 121
Marc LaHood (R)
District 122
Mark Dorazio (R)
District 123
Diego Bernal (D)
District 124
Josey Garcia (D)
District 125
Ray Lopez (D)
District 126
Sam Harless (R)
District 127
District 128
Briscoe Cain (R)
District 129
Dennis Paul (R)
District 130
Tom Oliverson (R)
District 131
Alma Allen (D)
District 132
Mike Schofield (R)
District 133
Mano Deayala (R)
District 134
Ann Johnson (D)
District 135
Jon Rosenthal (D)
District 136
John Bucy (D)
District 137
Gene Wu (D)
District 138
Lacey Hull (R)
District 139
District 140
Armando Walle (D)
District 141
District 142
Harold Dutton (D)
District 143
Ana Hernandez (D)
District 144
Mary Perez (D)
District 145
District 146
Lauren Simmons (D)
District 147
Jolanda Jones (D)
District 148
Penny Shaw (D)
District 149
Hubert Vo (D)
District 150
Valoree Swanson (R)
Republican Party (88)
Democratic Party (62)
