Shelly deZevallos
Shelly deZevallos (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 38th Congressional District. She is on the ballot in the Republican primary on March 3, 2026.[source]
DeZevallos completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
DeZevallos obtained a bachelor's degree in political science and Chinese from the University of Texas at Austin, a master's degree in business administration from Texas A&M University, and a doctorate in education with an aviation and space science focus from Oklahoma State University. DeZevallos worked as a regional sales manager for Cessna before joining the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as a regional representative. As of the 2026 primary, deZevallos had been president of the West Houston Airport for eight years. Both President Donald Trump (R) and Governor Greg Abbott (R) appointed deZevallos to transportation and business-related advisory boards.[1][2]
2026 battleground election
Ballotpedia identified the March 3 Republican primary as a battleground primary. The summary below is from our coverage of this election, found here.
Jon Bonck (R), Barrett McNabb (R), Michael Pratt (R), Shelly deZevallos (R), and six other candidates are running in the Republican primary for Texas' 38th Congressional District on March 3, 2026. The filing deadline was December 8, 2025. As of February 2026, Bonck, McNabb, Pratt, and deZevallos led in fundraising and local media attention.[3]
Incumbent Wesley Hunt (R) is running for U.S. Senate rather than seeking re-election, leaving the seat open. Hunt won re-election in 2024 63%–37%.
Bonck is a manager at a mortgage brokerage firm. Bonck describes himself as "a Christian, husband, father, and mortgage leader from Greater Houston — not a political celebrity, but a servant leader ready to fight for Texas families."[4] Bonck's campaign website says his real estate experience "has shown him firsthand how outdated policies and red tape can frustrate families...Jon will work to reform these outdated policies and eliminate red tape to help Americans thrive and achieve the American dream."[4]
McNabb is a 16-year veteran of the U.S. Army and the founder of a healthcare management group. McNabb says he is "not a career politician. I am a servant leader shaped by faith, combat leadership, and business experience. I understand what it takes to protect families, grow businesses, and defend American values, and I am committed to serving with integrity, strength, and accountability."[5] McNabb says he will "always put Texas first, streamline politics, and enact swift action on conservative policies."[6]
Pratt is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who has worked as an executive at Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, and Amazon. Pratt is a trustee of the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees. Pratt says he supports "America First policies that secure our borders, protect families, restore military strength, and defend our children from harmful ideologies."[7] Pratt said his "identity is rooted in service, sacrifice, and duty, both in the military and in public office."[8]
DeZevallos is the president of the West Houston Airport. DeZevallos' campaign website describes her as "a business leader, pilot, and lifelong Houstonian who has dedicated her life to service, innovation, and advancing our shared America First values."[9] DeZevallos says she is running "because President Trump needs trusted conservative leaders in Congress who will end Democrat obstruction and keep the results coming for the American people."[10]
Also running in the primary are Avery Ayers (R), Craig Goralski (R), Carmen Montiel (R), Larry Rubin (R), Jennifer Sundt (R), and Jeff Yuna (R).
As of February 2026, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball each rated the general election Solid/Safe Republican. An Inside Elections analysis of the redistricting in Texas ahead of the 2026 elections found that President Donald Trump (R) won the 2024 presidential election in both the old and the new versions of the 38th district by 21 percentage points.[11]
If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, then the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on May 26, 2026.
Elections
2026
See also: Texas' 38th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.
General election for U.S. House Texas District 38
William Taggart is running in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 38 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | William Taggart (Independent)  | |
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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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 38
Theresa Courts, Marvalette Hunter, and Melissa McDonough are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 38 on March 3, 2026.
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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
- Curtis Cook II (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 38
The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 38 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Avery Ayers | |
 | Jon Bonck | |
 | Craig Goralski | |
 | Barrett McNabb | |
 | Carmen Montiel | |
 | Michael Pratt | |
 | Larry Rubin | |
 | Jennifer Sundt | |
 | Jeff Yuna | |
 | Shelly deZevallos | |
| ||||
| = 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
- 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) | |
| ||||
| = 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avery Ayers | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $210 | As of October 31, 2025 |
| Jon Bonck | Republican Party | $1,039,146 | $192,931 | $846,215 | As of December 31, 2025 |
| Craig Goralski | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Barrett McNabb | Republican Party | $300,492 | $264,500 | $35,992 | As of December 31, 2025 |
| Carmen Montiel | Republican Party | $75,437 | $75,357 | $523 | As of December 31, 2025 |
| Michael Pratt | Republican Party | $334,457 | $19,347 | $315,109 | As of December 31, 2025 |
| Larry Rubin | Republican Party | $156,096 | $29,801 | $126,295 | As of December 31, 2025 |
| Jennifer Sundt | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Jeff Yuna | Republican Party | $75,923 | $21,497 | $55,426 | As of December 31, 2025 |
| Shelly deZevallos | Republican Party | $666,506 | $87,826 | $578,680 | As of December 31, 2025 |
|
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." |
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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.[12][13][14]
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 |
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Note: As of January 15, 2026, Jennifer Sundt (R) had not registered as a candidate with the Federal Election Commission.
Endorsements
To view deZevallos's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Shelly deZevallos completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by deZevallos' responses.
| Collapse all
As President of West Houston Airport — one of the nation’s busiest general aviation hubs — I’ve created jobs, supported local businesses, and navigated complex federal regulations to improve economic opportunity in our region. With my 5,000+ hours of logged pilot experience, I have advised leaders on aviation safety and policy and served on federal and state aviation advisory committees.
I’m also a devout Christian, a proud wife and mother of twin daughters, and I understand firsthand the importance of protecting the freedoms that allow families to thrive — from secure borders and strong communities to low taxes and energy independence. I will bring real-world business experience and a results-driven leadership approach to Washington because Texans deserve a Representative who will stand with President Trump to cut red tape, defend our values, and deliver for our district.- I am running for Congress to put America First and defend the conservative values that make our country strong. I will uphold the Constitution, protect individual freedoms, and stand against the radical Left’s agenda that weakens our nation. Texans deserve a Representative who will fight for faith, family, freedom, and a government that serves the people — not Washington elites or special interests.
- I will fight to unleash our economy by cutting taxes, reducing burdensome regulations, and empowering small businesses and job creators. As a business leader, I understand how government overreach stifles growth and raises costs for families. In Congress, I will support policies that promote innovation, strengthen our workforce, and keep Texas a national leader in economic opportunity.
- Securing our border and keeping our communities safe is non-negotiable. I will work with President Trump to enforce our immigration laws, secure our border, and stop cartel activity. I will strongly support law enforcement and ensure they have the resources needed to protect Texans. Public safety starts with the rule of law.
Congressman Troy Nehls TX-22
Congressman Randy Weber TX-14
Congressman Jake Ellzey TX-06
Houston Region Business Coalition
Texas Conservative Review
Conservative Republicans of Texas
GOPAC
Winning for Women
VIEWPAC
“C” Club
Over 35 precinct chairs
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
deZevallos' campaign website stated the following:
TEXAS VALUES. AMERICA FIRST PRIORITIES.
Shelly deZevallos is ready to put her experience to work in Congress for the taxpayers of the 38th District — because President Trump needs trusted conservative leaders in Congress who will end Democrat obstruction and keep the results coming for the American people.
Put America First
President Trump and our America First agenda are under attack — and it will take proven fighters to deliver more victories for the American people. Shelly will lead with her conservative values and never back down to deliver a safer, more prosperous future for Texans.
Unleash Our Economy
President Trump's America First agenda is unleashing economic growth, and Shelly will represent our district to keep the results coming for Texans. She'll work to cut burdensome regulations, reduce taxes, and support the entrepreneurs and small businesses that are the backbone of our economy. As a businesswoman and aviation industry leader, Shelly knows what it takes to succeed — and she'll ensure Texas remains a national leader in innovation and job creation.
Keep Our Families & Community Safe
The Left's soft-on-crime policies have put Texas families in the crosshairs of violent criminals and gangs. Shelly will always back the blue, fully fund law enforcement, and give first responders the resources they need to stop violent crime and keep our communities safe. Every Texan deserves to feel secure in their home, neighborhood, and community — and Shelly will fight to restore the rule of law.
Crush The Cartels & Secure Our Border
President Trump is working to secure our border, but Congress must give him the resources to finish the job. Shelly will help finish the wall, enforce immigration laws, and stop drug cartels and human traffickers from putting Texans at risk. The chaos at the southern border threatens our safety, economy, and future — and Shelly will restore law and order to protect Texas families.
Cut Costs For Texans
Shelly will cut wasteful government spending, reduce the tax burden on families, and eliminate job-killing regulations that drive up prices. As a businesswoman who knows what it takes to make payroll and balance a budget, Shelly will bring that same discipline to Congress and deliver real relief for Texas families.
Lead The Way On Transportation & Infrastructure
As a pilot with over 5,000 hours of flight time and decades of aviation leadership, Shelly understands infrastructure's critical role in America's future. She will champion smart investments in transportation and workforce development in Congress while cutting the red tape that slows progress. Shelly will ensure Texas stays at the forefront of innovation and job growth — because President Trump's America First agenda means putting American infrastructure and American workers first.
Defend Faith, Family & Freedom
Shelly's principles are rooted in her faith, her family, and her commitment to freedom. She will defend life, protect religious liberty, and stand firm against government overreach that threatens our constitutional rights. In Congress, Shelly will preserve the America First conservative values that make Texas strong — because our freedoms are under assault from the radical Left, and we need fighters who won't back down.
Secure American Energy Independence
A strong Texas depends on American energy. Shelly will work to expand oil and gas production, cut regulations that hurt our energy workers, and keep Texas leading the nation in reliable, affordable power. President Trump's energy dominance agenda is lowering costs and creating jobs — and Shelly will ensure Washington stops standing in the way. By strengthening our energy independence, we protect jobs, lower costs, and keep our country secure.
— Shelly deZevallos' campaign website (November 19, 2025)
Campaign ads
Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Shelly deZevallos while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.
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 38 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Shelly deZevallos campaign website, "Home page," accessed November 3, 2025
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Shelly Lesikar deZevallos, Ed.D.," accessed November 3, 2025
- ↑ Houston Public Media, "U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt enters GOP Senate primary against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Texas AG Ken Paxton," October 6, 2025
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Jon Bonck campaign website, "Home page," accessed October 24, 2025
- ↑ Candidate Connection survey submitted to Ballotpedia on January 31, 2026.
- ↑ Barrett McNabb campaign website, "Home page," accessed October 24, 2025
- ↑ Michael Pratt campaign website, "Home page," accessed February 5, 2026
- ↑ Candidate Connection survey submitted to Ballotpedia on December 10, 2025.
- ↑ Shelly deZevallos campaign website, "About," accessed October 24, 2025
- ↑ Shelly deZevallos campaign website, "Issues," accessed October 24, 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
