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Tracy Andrus

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Tracy Andrus
Candidate, U.S. House Texas District 1
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 5, 2024
Next election
March 3, 2026
Education
High school
Crowley High School
Associates
Louisiana College, 1999
Bachelor's
Louisiana College, 2000
Ph.D
Prairie View A&M University, 2005
Graduate
University of Louisiana, Monroe, 2001
Personal
Birthplace
Lafayette, LA
Religion
Baptist
Profession
Professor
Contact

Tracy Andrus (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 1st Congressional District. He is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.

Andrus completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Tracy Andrus was born in Lafayette, Louisiana. He graduated from Crowley High School. He earned an associate degree from Louisiana College in 1999, a bachelor's degree from Louisiana College in 2000, a graduate degree from the University of Louisiana, Monroe in 2001, and a Ph.D. from Prairie View A&M University in 2005. His career experience includes working as a professor, pastor, and nonprofit executive director. Andrus has been affiliated with Alpha Phi Alpha, the Free and Accepted Masons, ACJS, ASC, the NAACP, and the ACLU.[1][2]

Elections

2026

See also: Texas' 1st Congressional District election, 2026

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

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 1

Sonia Canchola is running in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 1 on November 3, 2026.

Candidate
Sonia Canchola (Independent)

Candidate Connection = 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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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 1

Dax Alexander, Tracy Andrus, Yolanda Prince, and Masika Akilah Ray are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 1 on March 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = 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

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 1

Incumbent Nathaniel Moran is running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 1 on March 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = 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

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

See also: United States Senate election in Texas, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Texas

Incumbent Ted Cruz defeated Colin Allred, Ted Brown, Analisa Roche, and Tracy Andrus in the general election for U.S. Senate Texas on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz (R)
 
53.1
 
5,990,741
Image of Colin Allred
Colin Allred (D) Candidate Connection
 
44.6
 
5,031,249
Image of Ted Brown
Ted Brown (L) Candidate Connection
 
2.4
 
267,039
Image of Analisa Roche
Analisa Roche (Independent) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
1,906
Image of Tracy Andrus
Tracy Andrus (Independent) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
919

Total votes: 11,291,854
Candidate Connection = 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

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Texas

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Texas on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Colin Allred
Colin Allred Candidate Connection
 
58.9
 
569,585
Image of Roland Gutierrez
Roland Gutierrez
 
16.6
 
160,978
Image of Mark A. Gonzalez
Mark A. Gonzalez
 
8.8
 
85,228
Image of Meri Gomez
Meri Gomez Candidate Connection
 
4.6
 
44,166
Image of Carl Sherman Sr.
Carl Sherman Sr. Candidate Connection
 
3.3
 
31,694
Image of Ahmad Hassan
Ahmad Hassan Candidate Connection
 
2.3
 
21,855
Image of Steve Keough
Steve Keough Candidate Connection
 
2.3
 
21,801
Image of Heli Rodriguez Prilliman
Heli Rodriguez Prilliman
 
1.9
 
18,801
Image of Thierry Tchenko
Thierry Tchenko Candidate Connection
 
1.4
 
13,395

Total votes: 967,503
Candidate Connection = 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

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Texas

Incumbent Ted Cruz defeated Holland Gibson and Rufus Lopez in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Texas on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz
 
88.3
 
1,977,961
Holland Gibson
 
6.0
 
134,011
Rufus Lopez
 
5.7
 
127,986

Total votes: 2,239,958
Candidate Connection = 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

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. Senate Texas

Ted Brown advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. Senate Texas on April 14, 2024.

Candidate
Image of Ted Brown
Ted Brown (L) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = 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 Andrus in this election.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Tracy Andrus completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Andrus' responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am Dr. Tracy Andrus. I am a community activist, democrat, pastor, and professor. I am running to make a difference. I will support social security, higher wages for teachers, reducing inflation, and reducing taxes.
  • I will not privatize social security
  • I will increase pay for teachers.
  • I will support early childhood education and daycare centers.
Integrity, and honesty are the most important characteristics for elected officials.
From prisoner to phd. I wrote it
Creating diversity, equity and inclusion, immigration, inflation and world peace!
Democrats, naacp, hbcu professors, some republicans and teachers
Criminal justice, finance and education.

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

Andrus' campaign website stated the following:

Where do you stand on Tariffs?

I believe tariffs can hurt the economy by increasing costs for consumers and businesses, disrupting supply chains, and straining international trade relationships. In the long run, they risk slowing growth and pushing the country toward a recession rather than strengthening our economic position.

Where do you stand on Social Security?

I believe Social Security is a promise earned through a lifetime of work, and the government should not interfere or attempt to cut benefits. People paid into the system and deserve to receive what they were promised.

What is your stance on immigration?

I believe America is a nation built by immigrants, and we must honor that legacy with compassion and fairness. Immigrants contribute to our economy, culture, and communities in meaningful ways. While I support strong and secure borders, I also believe every person deserves due process and humane treatment. Our immigration system should reflect our values—upholding the law while treating individuals and families with dignity. We need comprehensive reform that balances security with opportunity and fairness.

What is your stance on DEI?

I believe that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are essential for creating a fair and equitable society, especially considering the historical challenges faced by Black communities. DEI initiatives aim to address systemic inequalities and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has equal opportunities to succeed. Research indicates that organizations embracing DEI not only foster a more inclusive environment but also experience benefits like increased innovation and employee satisfaction .

While some companies have recently reduced their DEI efforts due to external pressures, the core principles of DEI remain vital for promoting social justice and organizational success .The Washington Post

For those interested in further exploring DEI, resources like the book "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Trainers: Fostering DEI in the Workplace" offer valuable insights into implementing effective DEI strategies .


How do you feel about DOGE? Department of Government Efficiency?

I believe that while DOGE may help identify areas of government waste, it should not be used as a tool to unlawfully target or lay off hardworking employees without cause. Firing individuals without due process undermines fairness, morale, and the principles of good governance. Any efforts to improve efficiency must respect workers’ rights and follow lawful procedures. Misusing DOGE to justify unjust terminations is unacceptable and should be stopped immediately.

What do you want constituents to know about you?

Tracy Andrus, a seasoned educator and community advocate from Marshall, Texas, is running for Congress in Texas’s 1st District in 2026. With a Ph.D. from Prairie View A&M University, Andrus brings a wealth of experience in public service and education. 

His campaign focuses on comprehensive criminal justice reform, aiming to expand pardoning powers to district judges and reduce unnecessary regulations. Andrus is also a proponent of immigration reform, advocating for legal status and tax contributions for immigrants, recognizing their vital role in the economy. 

A strong supporter of reproductive rights, he seeks to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law while promoting personal responsibility. Additionally, Andrus emphasizes the importance of alternative green energy sources to combat climate change. 

Andrus's commitment to term limits is evident through his pledge to support congressional term limits, aligning with his belief in citizen-led governance. U.S. Term Limits

Endorsed by various churches and civic organizations, Tracy Andrus offers a platform centered on justice, equity, and community empowerment.


— Tracy Andrus' campaign website (February 12, 2026)

Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

2024

Candidate Connection

Tracy Andrus completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Andrus' responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am Tracy Andrus, son of Ms. Alice and Warren Andrus of Crowley, Louisiana. I am the youngest of 10 boys and two girls. I am the Director of Criminal Justice at Wiley College and Pastor of Edwards Chapel B.C. Marshall, Texas. I am also a business owner and Executive Director of Tracy Andrus Foundation. I spent three years in prison on a 57-year sentence for check kiting and theft of service. I was released from prison in 1994. I entered college in 1995 and received degrees from Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana, University of Louisiana Monroe (Masters) and in 2005, I became the first African American in the United Stated to earn a PhD in Juvenile Justice from Prairie View A&M University.
  • I will support legislation that extends pardoning powers to district judges. Governors should not have exclusive pardoning powers in their state.
  • I will support legislation that allows women to choose what happens to their bodies. No government, lawyer, politician or anyone else should choose for women when it comes to their bodies.
  • I will support legislation that provides more jobs to help ramp up production to meet the demands of our robust economy which will in turn reduce inflation. Inflation is too high!
Criminal Justice Reform, Finance, Enviromental Justice, Immigration, Green Energy, Women Reproductive Rights
My mother! She never complained about life, but always strived to make life better for her family.
Smart worker, ability to work with all people, positive attitude
I would like to leave a legacy that says, I made a difference and left the world better than I found it!
From Prisoner to PhD, My Eleven Year Journey. It tells the story of my triumph and resilience.
Ain't no stopping us now! McFadden and White Head!
Trying to outlive the felony that I committed 35 years ago.
I believe that there should be term limits for every political office, and no one should serve over two consecutive terms.
IT represents the highest level of government in the U. S. other than the Supreme Court.
It's a tactic that is beyond ignorance!
When I ask people, were you born looking like that?
Look at his views regarding the law. Thoroughly examine their thoughts.
A working relationship with as many of them as possible.
In a legal, authorized nondiscriminatory way.
Edwards Chapel Baptist Church

The Kingdom Center
Numerous Organizations and Pastors
Individual Business Owners

Students from various colleges and universities
Criminal Justice, Enviromental Justice, Finance, Legislative
I believe in financial transparency and government accountability. If you are not stealing or doing anything underhanded, you should not have nothing to hide.

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.

Note: Andrus submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on May 23, 2024.

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.


Tracy Andrus campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2026* U.S. House Texas District 1On the Ballot primary$0 N/A**
2024U.S. Senate TexasLost general$18,385 $11,749
Grand total$18,385 $11,749
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 23, 2024
  2. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 11, 2025


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Chip Roy (R)
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