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Texas' 17th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Democratic primary)
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| Texas' 17th Congressional District |
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| Democratic primary Republican primary General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: December 8, 2025 |
| Primary: March 3, 2026 Primary runoff: May 26, 2026 General: November 3, 2026 |
| How to vote |
| Poll times:
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Race ratings |
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Republican Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026 |
| See also |
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th • 11th • 12th • 13th • 14th • 15th • 16th • 17th • 18th • 19th • 20th • 21st • 22nd • 23rd • 24th • 25th • 26th • 27th • 28th • 29th • 30th • 31st • 32nd • 33rd • 34th • 35th • 36th • 37th • 38th Texas elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 |
A Democratic Party primary takes place on March 3, 2026, in Texas' 17th Congressional District to determine which Democratic candidate will run in the district's general election on November 3, 2026.
| Candidate filing deadline | Primary election | General election |
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A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Texas utilizes an open primary system. State law requires voters to sign the following pledge before voting in a primary: "I am a (insert appropriate political party) and understand that I am ineligible to vote or participate in another political party's primary election or convention during this voting year."[1]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
This page focuses on Texas' 17th Congressional District Democratic primary. For more in-depth information on the district's Republican primary and the general election, see the following pages:
- Texas' 17th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)
- Texas' 17th Congressional District election, 2026
Candidates and election results
Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:
- Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
- Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies
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. | ||||
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Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "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."
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I’m J. Gordon Mitchell—a 27-year Air Force veteran, public servant, author, and lifelong advocate for equity, public health, women’s reproductive rights, education, and marginalized communities. My life’s work has been showing up in crisis and leading from the front—not just when it’s convenient, but when it’s hard. I’ve fought wildfires, stood in the wreckage of natural disasters, helped lead Texas’s COVID response, and served as a school board trustee for one of the fastest-growing districts in the state. As a Senior Enlisted Advisor and Senior Planner, I’ve advised commanders on the health and welfare of over 1,000 troops, coordinated the distribution of 68 million pounds of food, and helped vaccinate more than a million Texans. I’ve served on numerous local committees focused on housing, public safety, education, and human rights. I hold multiple degrees, including a master’s from Johns Hopkins University in Government, Education, and Cultural Awareness, and I’m completing a second in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. I’m not a career politician. I’m a responder. A father. A neighbor. I believe no one should have to fight alone for dignity or representation. I’m running because the people of TX-17 deserve a leader who doesn’t just talk about showing up—they deserve one who already has. Because leadership matters."
Voting information
- See also: Voting in Texas
Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.
Campaign finance
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamilah Flores | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| J. Gordon Mitchell | Democratic Party | $5,033 | $4,753 | $280 | As of September 30, 2025 |
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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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District analysis
This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.
Ballot access
This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.
See also
- Texas' 17th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)
- Texas' 17th Congressional District election, 2026
- United States House elections in Texas, 2026 (March 3 Democratic primaries)
- United States House elections in Texas, 2026 (March 3 Republican primaries)
- United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2026
- United States House Republican Party primaries, 2026
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2026
- U.S. House battlegrounds, 2026
External links
Footnotes
