Robert Slater
Robert Slater (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 29th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on March 3, 2026.[source]
Slater also ran in a special election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 18th Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the special general election on November 4, 2025.
Biography
Robert Slater was born in Houston, Texas. His career experience includes working as a business executive, executive chef, restaurant owner, and business mentor.[1]
2026 battleground election
Ballotpedia identified the March 3, 2026, Democratic primary as a battleground election. The summary below is from our coverage of this election, found here.
Incumbent Sylvia Garcia (D), Jarvis Johnson (D), and Robert Slater (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Texas' 29th Congressional District on March 3, 2026. The filing deadline is December 8, 2025. As of November 2025, Garcia and Johnson led in local media attention.[2]
The primary is taking place in the context of redistricting in Texas ahead of the 2026 elections. The Texas Tribune's Gabby Birenbaum wrote: "For the last two election cycles, Hispanics have made up 63% of the eligible voting population in Garcia’s 29th District; under the new lines, they are just 43%. Meanwhile, the Black eligible voting population...grew from 18% under the previous map to 33% of the district."[2] To learn more about the redistricting in Texas, click here.
Garcia was first elected to the U.S. House in 2018. Her campaign website describes her as "the first Latina ever to represent Texas’ 29th Congressional District."[3] Birenbaum said Garcia "plans to campaign vigorously in her new territory to build a winning multiracial coalition, and rejects the notion that Black and brown voters will be factionalized."[2] Garcia says she is "a fighter who refuses to back down...[and] knows that protecting democracy means protecting our rights, our freedoms, and our way of life."[4] Garcia says she has a record of delivering for the district in Congress, including securing more than $1 billion in funding to establish a hydrogen hub in the district and funding improvements to local water mains.[5]
Johnson is a business owner and a former member of the Texas House of Representatives and the Houston City Council. Birenbaum said Johnson "has no policy disagreements with Garcia, but believes he could better address Black voters’ concerns and turn out the district’s voters in a general election, when Democrats will need every vote they can get to win statewide races."[2] Johnson says he is "a builder of futures, a connector of people, and a bold voice for those too often left out of the conversation."[6] Johnson says he has a record of accomplishment, including securing more than $2.1 billion in investments for Texas while in the state legislature.[7]
As of November 2025, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales, and Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball each rated the general election Solid/Safe Democratic.
In the 2024 election, Garcia defeated Alan Garza (R) 65%–35% under the old district lines. An Inside Elections analysis of the August 2025 redistricting in Texas found the "7th and 29th districts both got a little bluer and remain Solid Democratic."[8]
Elections
2026
See also: Texas' 29th 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 29
Incumbent Sylvia Garcia, Jarvis Johnson, and Robert Slater are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 29 on March 3, 2026.
= 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
Martha Fierro is running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 29 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Martha Fierro | ||
= 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. | ||||
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from RealClearPolitics, when available. We will regularly check for polling aggregation for this race and add polls here once available. To notify us of polls available for this race, please email us.
Election campaign finance
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvia Garcia | Democratic Party | $405,896 | $375,602 | $402,048 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Jarvis Johnson | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Robert Slater | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
|
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." |
|||||
Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[9][10][11]
If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.
| By candidate | By election |
|---|---|
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2025
See also: Texas' 18th Congressional District special election, 2025
General runoff election
Special general runoff election for U.S. House Texas District 18
Amanda Edwards and Christian Menefee are running in the special general runoff election for U.S. House Texas District 18 on January 31, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Amanda Edwards (D) | ||
Christian Menefee (D) ![]() | ||
= 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 | 21,979 | |
| ✔ | Amanda Edwards (D) | 25.6 | 19,440 | |
| Jolanda Jones (D) | 19.1 | 14,524 | ||
Carmen Montiel (R) ![]() | 6.7 | 5,107 | ||
| Isaiah Martin (D) | 5.7 | 4,336 | ||
| Ollie Knox (R) | 4.1 | 3,130 | ||
Stephen Huey (D) ![]() | 1.9 | 1,414 | ||
| Ronald Whitfield (R) | 1.5 | 1,174 | ||
| Carter Page (R) | 1.2 | 943 | ||
| Theodis Daniel (R) | 1.2 | 937 | ||
| Valencia Williams (D) | 1.2 | 915 | ||
| George Foreman (Independent) | 1.1 | 827 | ||
| Feldon Bonner II (D) | 0.7 | 553 | ||
| Vince Duncan (Independent) | 0.5 | 407 | ||
| Reyna Anderson (Independent) | 0.3 | 263 | ||
Tammie Rochester (G) ![]() | 0.2 | 135 | ||
| Total votes: 76,084 | ||||
= 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
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2024
See also: Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2024
Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Republican primary)
Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Texas District 18
Sylvester Turner defeated Lana Centonze, Vince Duncan, and Kevin Dural in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 18 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sylvester Turner (D) | 69.4 | 151,834 | |
Lana Centonze (R) ![]() | 30.5 | 66,810 | ||
| Vince Duncan (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 62 | ||
| Kevin Dural (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 14 | ||
| Total votes: 218,720 | ||||
= 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
- Ed Atkinson (Veteran's Party)
- Sheila Jackson Lee (D)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18
Incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee defeated Amanda Edwards and Robert Slater (Unofficially withdrew) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sheila Jackson Lee | 60.0 | 23,629 | |
| Amanda Edwards | 37.3 | 14,668 | ||
Robert Slater (Unofficially withdrew) ![]() | 2.7 | 1,059 | ||
| Total votes: 39,356 | ||||
= 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
- Jasmine Blue (D)
- Isaiah Martin (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18
Lana Centonze defeated Aaron Hermes in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lana Centonze ![]() | 53.3 | 6,202 | |
Aaron Hermes ![]() | 46.7 | 5,438 | ||
| Total votes: 11,640 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Slater in this election.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Robert Slater has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Robert Slater, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?
Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for. More than 23,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia's candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.
Help improve Ballotpedia - send us candidate contact info.
2025
Robert Slater did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.
2024
Robert Slater completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Slater's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
- Entrepreneurship opportunities/Jobs and wages
- Mental Health
- 2nd chance at life initiatives for veterans, homelessness and individual with criminal records
My Heart HBCU
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
Slater’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Veterans Economic Infrastructure Healthcare Immigration: Criminal Justice Mental Health Education |
” |
| —Robert Slater’s campaign website (2024)[13] | ||
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
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on December 8, 2023
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Texas Tribune, "This newly drawn Houston district could unearth tensions between Democrats of color," October 23, 2025
- ↑ Sylvia Garcia campaign website, "Home page," accessed November 6, 2025
- ↑ Sylvia Garcia campaign website, "Issues," accessed November 6, 2025
- ↑ Sylvia Garcia campaign website, "Home page," accessed November 5, 2025
- ↑ Jarvis Johnson campaign website, "About Jarvis," accessed November 6, 2025
- ↑ Jarvis Johnson campaign website, "Experience," accessed November 5, 2025
- ↑ Inside Elections, "A Detailed Analysis of Texas’ New Congressional Map," August 27, 2025
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Houston First, “Pillars,” accessed January 19, 2024
= candidate completed the 