Ryan Ray
Ryan Ray (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 97. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on March 3, 2026.[source]
Ray was a member of the Crowley Independent School District in Texas, representing Place 5. He assumed office in 2012. He left office on May 26, 2022.
Biography
Ryan Ray graduated from Crowley Independent School District. His career experience includes working as an attorney.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 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
Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 97
Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin (D), Ryan Ray (D), and Diane Symons (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 97 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin | |
 | Ryan Ray | |
| Diane Symons | ||
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary
Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 97
Incumbent John McQueeney (R) is running in the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 97 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | John McQueeney | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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2022
See also: Crowley Independent School District, Texas, elections (2022)
General election
General election for Crowley Independent School District, Place 5
Daryl Davis II defeated incumbent Ryan Ray and Diana Acosta in the general election for Crowley Independent School District, Place 5 on May 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Daryl Davis II (Nonpartisan) | 43.5 | 1,463 |
| Ryan Ray (Nonpartisan) | 31.9 | 1,075 | |
| Diana Acosta (Nonpartisan) | 24.6 | 827 | ||
| Total votes: 3,365 | |||
| = 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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2019
See also: Crowley Independent School District, Texas, elections (2019)
General election
General election for Crowley Independent School District, Place 5
Incumbent Ryan Ray won election in the general election for Crowley Independent School District, Place 5 on May 4, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ryan Ray (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 2,817 |
| Total votes: 2,817 | |||
| = 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
- Willie Pippen (Nonpartisan)
2018
See also:
General election
General election for Texas House of Representatives District 96
Incumbent Bill Zedler defeated Ryan Ray and Stephen Parmer in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 96 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bill Zedler (R) | 50.8 | 32,698 |
| Ryan Ray (D) | 47.2 | 30,360 | |
| Stephen Parmer (L) | 2.0 | 1,256 | ||
| Total votes: 64,314 | |||
| = 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 96
Ryan Ray advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 96 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ryan Ray | 100.0 | 6,446 |
| Total votes: 6,446 | |||
| = 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 96
Incumbent Bill Zedler advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 96 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bill Zedler | 100.0 | 7,945 |
| Total votes: 7,945 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2016
Three of the seven seats on the Crowley Independent School District school board were up for by-district general election on May 7, 2016. Incumbent Ryan Ray defeated challengers Lizdelia Pinon and Eric Johnson Jr. in the race for the Place 5 seat. Place 6 incumbent Gary Grassia defeated challenger Leticia Gonzales. In Place 7, newcomer Lyndsae Benton ran unopposed after incumbent Sherri Whiting withdrew from the race.[2][3]
Results
| Crowley Independent School District, Place 5 General Election, 3-year term, 2016 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Ryan Ray Incumbent |
42.05% | 587 |
| Eric Johnson Jr. | 29.01% | 405 |
| Lizdelia Pinon | 28.94% | 404 |
| Total Votes | 1,396 | |
| Source: Tarrany County, Texas, "Cumulative Report-Unofficial Results," accessed May 7, 2016 | ||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2022
Ryan Ray did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ryan Ray did not complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ryan Ray completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ray's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
- Making sure that our public schools get the resources they need to be successful. - Working to reduce our local property taxes by having the State meet it's obligation to provide 50% of the cost of public education. - Fighting attempts to cut back on local control in Austin.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I would say public education is the biggest for me, I have served on the Crowley ISD School Board and during my tenure we have seen funding at the State level that doesn't keep pace with the enrollment growth and inflation - meaning an increasing share of the burden falls on local property tax payers. I've also seen that our schools are largely doing pretty well, but we need to focus more resources on the neediest kids and right now the system is doing just the opposite. Texas can and should have the best education system in the world, we can do it, but we need new leadership in Austin to make that happen.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Pay it Forward was a great film that I think helped inform my political philosophy.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Being honest and keeping promises.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I'm an attorney and a fierce advocate for my clients, I would take that to my position as a State Rep. and be a strong advocate for the people of House District 96.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To represent the people of House District 96 in Austin in setting a budget, creating laws, and helping them deal with the States bureaucracy to handle their issues.
What legacy would you like to leave?
To help move Texas forward.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
Probably the first significant historical event I remember is September 11th, I was 18 and just starting college. In fact my school was pretty close to the crash zone for flight 93. September 11th, taught me that we have to stay vigilant in our struggle against extremism but the aftermath also taught me that we can't simply label a whole people as an enemy, we need to find the root of the issue and address.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I worked as a fast food server on campus while in College I only stayed a year, but I worked every year I was in school at various jobs.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas, I love getting the family together to eat, the kids opening the presents, the Christmas Tree - the whole deal.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Right now it's quite simply that the Texas House of Representatives is the body which best represents the interests of Texans, while the Senate is clearly beholden to a small group of wealthy benefactors with extremist positions.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Absolutely, but at some point it can't go on forever. I don't believe our nation is or state are best served by having officials hold posts for decades but I do believe it's beneficial for our Representatives to have some experience in government.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Figuring out how to deal with our phenomenal growth while providing the people with the services they need.
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Campaign finance summary
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See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
