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Jamilah Flores
From Ballotpedia
Jamilah Flores (Democratic Party) (also known as Milah) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 17th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on March 3, 2026.[source]
Flores completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Jamilah Flores was born in Seattle, Washington. She earned a high school diploma from the Lighthouse Christian Academy, an associate degree from Colorado Technical University in 2017, and a bachelor's and graduate degree from Colorado Technical University in 2024. Her career experience includes working as a nonprofit professional and a GS civilian with the Army. Flores has been affiliated with the Texas Majority PAC.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Texas' 17th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 17
Jamilah Flores and J. Gordon Mitchell are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 17 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Jamilah Flores  | |
 | J. Gordon Mitchell | |
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| = 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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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 17
Incumbent Pete Sessions is running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 17 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Pete Sessions | |
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| = 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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Robert Brown (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jamilah Flores completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Flores' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m Milah Flores, a dedicated public servant, mother of five, with over a decade of federal service. My husband is a 22-year Army veteran, and together we chose East Texas to raise our children and build our lives. I currently serve as Financial Assistant Coordinator for a nonprofit organization focused on housing homeless veterans, reflecting my commitment to serving those who served our country.
My background includes extensive experience in administrative services within federal government. I hold an associate degree in business administration, dual bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and human services, and will complete my master’s in criminal justice with a Homeland Security concentration in March 2026.
After being nominated by community members and selected by the Texas Majority PAC, I’m running to bring fresh perspective and real solutions to East Texas. As someone who has lived the challenges facing Texas families, from rural education funding to supporting military families I understand what District 17 needs and am committed to being the accessible, accountable representative our community deserves.- Fully fund our rural schools and support our teachers. Every child in District 17 deserves quality education, from early childhood programs through vocational training that prepares them for good-paying careers. I’ll fight for adequate school funding, competitive teacher pay, and expanded technical education programs that keep our young people in East Texas.
- Create economic opportunities that support our agricultural communities and military families. I’ll advocate for farm and ranch support programs, work to bring good jobs to rural areas, and ensure our veterans and military families have the resources they need to successfully transition and thrive in civilian careers.
- Build unity and equality for all in East Texas. Rather than focusing on what divides us, I’ll work to bring our community together around our shared values of hard work, family, and opportunity. Every person in District 17 deserves equal treatment and the chance to succeed, regardless of their background. It’s time to reduce division and strengthen our community bonds.
Education funding and reform, rural economic development, veterans affairs, agricultural policy, public safety and homeland security, government transparency and accountability, civil rights and equality, community development, and supporting working families through accessible, effective public services.
I look up to strong leaders like Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I’ve gone back to her policies and reasoning behind them many times, learning from her commitment to equality and justice. Personally, some of my most impactful mentors have been leaders I’ve worked with directly. Most recently, my last supervisor, a squadron commander with the Space Force, taught me so much about emotional maturity and effective policy making. He showed me that real leadership combines strength with empathy, and that good policy comes from listening and understanding, not just ideology
Integrity, accessibility, and genuine commitment to serving constituents. An elected official must be honest, transparent, and willing to listen to all voices in their district. They should have the courage to make tough decisions based on what’s best for their community, not what’s politically convenient. Most importantly, they must be accessible to the people they serve and accountable for their actions.
The core responsibilities are to represent ALL constituents fairly, advocate for our district’s needs in Washington, D.C., and ensure state resources support our communities. This means fighting for adequate education funding, supporting our rural economy and agricultural interests, maintaining government transparency, and working across party lines to solve real problems. I believe in being a voice for working families and ensuring everyone in District 17 has equal opportunities to succeed.
I want to be a changemaker who leaves Texas House District 17 better than I found it. I want to be an example to girls and women about willpower, strength, and finding your voice even when the world tries to silence you. If I can show young women that you don’t have to come from privilege or political connections to serve your community, that you can overcome your past and build something meaningful, then I’ve succeeded. Most importantly, I want to leave a legacy of bringing people together, reducing division, and proving that government can actually work for the people when leaders have the courage to put community over politics.
I was 14 years old, sitting in history class when 9/11 happened. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the impact it would have on me and my family. Every bit of service I’ve given since, from working with the Army and Space Force to my work housing homeless veterans, has been directly connected to that day. It shaped a generation and showed me that when our country faces challenges, we need leaders who will serve with purpose and protect the people who sacrifice for us.
My first job was making pizzas at Abby’s Pizza. I was raised in a super conservative evangelical church, so working there was my first real experience being around people my age outside that world. It opened my eyes to different perspectives and taught me that people from all walks of life have value and deserve respect. That experience shaped my belief that we need to build bridges across our differences rather than let them divide us. It was one of the first steps in my journey to understanding that real leadership means listening to and representing everyone, not just people who look or think like you.
One book that really impacted me is ‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama. She writes about finding her voice, overcoming obstacles, and staying true to your values while serving in public life. Her story of growing up on the South Side of Chicago and eventually becoming First Lady showed me that your starting point doesn’t determine your destination. It’s about resilience, staying grounded in your community, and using whatever platform you have to lift others up.
Batman. Not because of the money or gadgets, but because he saw his community suffering and decided to do something about it. He used his resources and determination to fight for justice and protect people who couldn’t protect themselves. He’s proof that one person committed to making a difference can change an entire city. Plus, he’s human with no superpowers, he just has the willpower and dedication to do what’s right, even when it’s hard.
My biggest struggle has been overcoming my past. I grew up in an extremely conservative environment where I had a suppressed voice and wasn’t allowed to ask questions or think for myself. Finding myself and my own voice took years of self-work, strong support from mentors, and the courage to step outside what was comfortable. That struggle taught me empathy for others who feel unheard and fuels my commitment to being a representative who actually listens. It’s why I fight for everyone to have a voice, regardless of their background.
The House is designed to be the people’s house, closest to the voters with the most frequent elections. This means representatives should be directly accountable to their constituents and responsive to local needs. The House’s diversity of backgrounds and perspectives should reflect the communities we serve. Unfortunately, too many career politicians have lost touch with this mission. We need representatives who remember they work for the people, not the other way around.
While some experience can be valuable, fresh perspectives are often more important than political experience. Career politicians tend to become part of the problem rather than the solution. What matters most is life experience, understanding the challenges facing working families, and a genuine commitment to service. My decade of public service, raising five children, and working with military families gives me the real world experience that matters most for representing District 17.
Our two greatest challenges are the dangerous division tearing our communities apart and economic inequality that leaves too many families struggling. Political division has poisoned our ability to solve real problems and work together for the common good. Meanwhile, economic challenges, from rural job losses to the cost of living, are hitting working families hard while career politicians focus on partisan battles instead of solutions. We must bridge these divides by focusing on what unites us: love of family, community, and opportunity for all. Real economic solutions require bringing people together, not driving them further apart. That’s why I’m committed to reducing division and creating economic opportunities that lift up all of East Texas.
Yes, two year terms ensure representatives stay connected to their constituents and remain accountable. However, this makes term limits even more important to prevent career politicians from entrenching themselves. The short term length means we should be focused on getting things done quickly and efficiently, not playing political games. It forces representatives to deliver results rather than just make promises.
I am 100% in favor of term limits. Career politicians lose touch with the real challenges facing working families and become more focused on maintaining power than serving people. Term limits bring fresh perspectives, new energy, and ensure elected officials remain accountable to their constituents rather than special interests. When representatives know they have limited time to serve, they focus on getting things done instead of political games. Fresh leadership is exactly what we need to break the cycle of dysfunction and bring real solutions to Washington, D.C.
I don’t model myself after any single politician, but I’ve taken bits and pieces from women representatives on both sides of the aisle, especially those who come from backgrounds like me who have overcome so much and succeeded. I’ve learned from women who stayed connected to their communities, fought for their constituents regardless of party pressure, and weren’t afraid to work across the aisle when it benefits the people they serve. Learning from these strong women who rose above their circumstances has empowered me to develop my own style of leadership focused on unity, practical solutions, and genuine service to the people of District 17.
Through my work as Financial Assistant Coordinator for a nonprofit housing homeless veterans, I’ve heard countless stories that break my heart but fuel my determination to serve. One veteran told me how he served our country with honor, deployed overseas, and came home to find himself sleeping in his car because he couldn’t navigate the government bureaucracy to get the help he’d earned. He wasn’t asking for a handout, he was asking for the support he was promised when he took his oath to defend our nation.
What hurts most is knowing his story isn’t unique. Our community is hurting. We have veterans who served with distinction struggling to find housing. We have working families who can’t afford rising costs. We have teachers leaving the profession because they can’t make ends meet. We have farmers watching their family legacy slip away. These aren’t statistics, these are our neighbors, and they deserve better than a government that has failed them.
Yes, compromise is essential for effective governance, but it must be principled compromise that serves the people, not political deals that benefit special interests. When we focus on our shared values like quality education, economic opportunity, and strong communities, we can find common ground. However, I will never compromise on core principles like equality, transparency, and putting working families first. Real compromise means listening to all sides and finding solutions that work for everyone in District 17
This constitutional responsibility means the House has tremendous power to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely and fairly. I would use this power to prioritize funding for rural education, infrastructure that supports our agricultural communities, and programs that create economic opportunities in East Texas. Too often, tax policy benefits special interests while working families struggle. I’ll fight to ensure our tax system supports the people who actually build our communities and that state revenue is invested in priorities that matter to District 17 families, not political insiders or campaign donors
The House’s investigative powers should be used to hold government accountable to the people and root out waste, fraud, and corruption. These powers exist to ensure transparency and protect taxpayer dollars, not to play political games or settle partisan scores. I believe investigations should focus on real issues affecting Americans like government waste, corporate wrongdoing that harms consumers, and ensuring federal agencies are actually serving the public. The power to investigate is a responsibility that must be exercised with integrity and always in service of the people, not political theater.
Not long ago I met a teacher who had been in the classroom for 17 years. She told me she was leaving the profession at the end of the year, not because she didn’t love teaching, but because she couldn’t afford to stay. She had taken a second job on weekends just to make ends meet, and even then, she was struggling to support her own children while trying to give her students the education they deserved. She said, ‘I went into teaching to change lives, but I can’t even afford to live in the community I serve.’
What broke my heart was when she said the hardest part wasn’t leaving teaching, it was knowing that so many of her colleagues were in the same position, and the students would suffer because good teachers like her were being forced out. She’s not asking for wealth, just to be paid fairly for one of the most important jobs in our society.
I’m most proud of going from a kid who sometimes didn’t know where she would sleep at night to running for the Texas House of Representatives. That journey wasn’t easy. It took education, hard work, serving my country, and refusing to let my circumstances define my future. But it taught me that where you start doesn’t determine where you finish. Now I’m using everything I’ve learned to fight for families in District 17 who are facing their own struggles. If that kid who didn’t know where she’d sleep can make it to this point, then no one in our community should ever feel like their dreams are out of reach.
The government should play a balanced role in AI development, ensuring innovation thrives while protecting Americans from potential harms. We need smart regulations that prevent AI from being used to violate privacy, spread misinformation, or discriminate against people, while not stifling the technology that can improve healthcare, education, and public services. The focus should be on transparency, accountability, and ensuring AI serves the public interest. Government should also invest in AI education and workforce training so American workers can adapt to changing job markets. We need guardrails, not roadblocks, to ensure AI benefits everyone, not just big tech companies.
I would support legislation that makes voting more accessible while maintaining election security and integrity. This includes ensuring adequate early voting periods, protecting voters from intimidation or discrimination, and making sure every eligible citizen can exercise their right to vote. At the same time, we must maintain strong security measures to ensure only eligible voters can cast ballots and that every legal vote is counted accurately. Election administration should be transparent, efficient, and trusted by all Americans regardless of party. We need to focus on what unites us, ensuring fair elections where every voice is heard, rather than using voting laws as political weapons to help one party over another.
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
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House Texas District 17 |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 29, 2025
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
District 16
Veronica Escobar (D)
District 17
Pete Sessions (R)
District 18
Vacant
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 (12)
Vacancies (1)
