The following Q&A was sent to each candidate in August 2026. Responses provided were submitted by the Sun’s press deadline in mid-October and fit within a given wordcount.
Charles Schwertner (Republican, Incumbent)
Why did you choose to run for state senator?
Charles Schwertner: I chose to run for re-election to continue defending the conservative values that make Texas strong: freedom, opportunity, faith, family and limited government. While serving in the Legislature, I have successfully passed our state’s landmark “Constitutional Carry” law, 287(g) immigration enforcement law, and key laws that cut taxes, safeguarded seniors from abuse, protect Texas children, defend private property rights, and strengthen the electric grid. Texans want to live in a Texas that honors faith, family, and freedom, and I’m committed to fighting for policies that uphold those principles and ensure Texas remains strong and prosperous for generations to come.
What part of the district are you from, and how do you relate to the community?
Schwertner: My wife, Belinda, and I reside in Georgetown, where we raised our three adult sons, Carson, Zachary and Matthew. I’m a sixth-generation Texan with an unbroken line of farming and ranching in Senate District 5 that began back in 1877, when my family first settled in the area now known as Schwertner, Texas. It is an honor of a lifetime to serve one million Texans across eleven counties in Central and East Texas, where each community is unique yet shares conservative values and rugged individualism.
What prior experience do you have?
Schwertner: Currently, I serve as the Chairman of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, where I oversee critical issues like insurance, banking, and our state’s electrical grid. I also served as the President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate from 2023 to 2025 and as Chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission, which is tasked with making state government more efficient and eliminating wasteful spending. I have also chaired the Health and Human Services Committee and the Administration Committee. My experience is further bolstered by my service on the Senate Finance Committee and the Legislative Budget Board.
What issues are you campaigning on?
Schwertner: I’m campaigning on the issues that matter most to Texans: protecting our conservative values, preserving Texas’ unique rugged individualism, supporting public safety, maintaining affordability, and securing reliable water and energy capacity, all without sacrificing the freedoms and quality of life that make Texas strong. Texas is the best state in the nation to live, work, and raise a family because of our fiscal conservatism and limited government policies. I’m fighting every day to defend those principles, deliver real results for our families, and ensure we never lose sight of the values and policies that make Texas exceptional.
If elected, what would you hope to accomplish with your time in office?
Schwertner: I will build on my past accomplishments and continue to address the pressing issues affecting our community, such as rapid economic and population growth. To address this, I will work to preserve Texas’ unique rugged individualism and lead with conservative values, strong fiscal discipline, targeted infrastructure investment, firm enforcement of immigration laws to combat mass migration, and close coordination with local leaders to ensure responsible growth and accountable government. Additionally, I will continue to protect taxpayers and private property rights, including fighting to reduce property taxes further while also working to expedite relief for homeowners under existing measures.
What makes you stand out from the other candidates?
Schwertner: I’m the only candidate in the race with a proven conservative track record. I’m endorsed by President Trump, Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, and hundreds of folks across Senate District 5. I’ve gone through the battles and fought the fights to defend our Constitution and our Texas way of life. From protecting Texans’ Second Amendment rights, to strengthening the enforcement of our immigration laws, fighting back against bad nursing homes, eliminating DEI programs in public and higher education, and removing boys from girls’ sports - I’m the only candidate who brings this level of battle-tested leadership and real results.
What are you known for in your community?
Schwertner: Many folks in the community also know me for my work as a practicing orthopedic surgeon in Georgetown, where I have treated thousands of people in Williamson County and the surrounding counties, helping them restore function and improve their quality of life. In addition to serving as a physician, I am also a registered pharmacist. My medical background has given me valuable insight, as a State Senator, into health policy, regulatory issues, and the reforms needed to ensure patients remain in control of their healthcare decisions.
Paul Thomasson (Democrat)
Why did you choose to run for state senator?
Paul Thomasson: I am a Democratic Activist In Brazos County and am a zealous progressive. Others came to me (repeatedly) and asked me to run for this very challenging seat. After about a year of refusing, I finally agreed to run, and run very aggressively. I finally agreed to this on September 8 of last year.
What part of the district are you from?
Thomasson: Although I was born in Texas City, Texas, I now live in Brazos County, my family having had land in this area for roughly two generations. I especially relate to the Democratic, religious, academic, dancing and gaming community here. However, I must admit that I only moved here in late December of 2022 when I retired. I built my home earlier, but didn’t begin living here full-time until January of 2023.
What prior experience do you have?
Thomasson: I have been a politician for less than five months, a United Methodist minister for over 43 years. Almost all my experience comes from over 43 years of ministry. This includes years of all kinds of training and special ministries and activities (hospital chaplaincy, Women’s Center ministry, VFD ministry, confidential and public, etc). It includes years and years of both fun and intensely personal experiences with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations. Many of my churches had more than one congregation, sometimes with as many as three languages and cultures. Diplomacy, empathy, listening, consensus-building and MUCH more were all necessary.
What issues are you campaigning on?
Thomasson: The top three are (1) The economy, especially the intensely feeble minimum wage, which hasn’t been raised since 2009, which was 17 YEARS ago! (2) Education, especially vouchers and all the other attempts by the GOP to damage our public schools. Additionally, I detest and oppose how the GOP is damaging our colleges by trying to turn them into institutions of higher indoctrination. (3) Healthcare, especially medicare, hospital, and other actions by the GOP that harm the average person. Additionally...I very strongly believe abortion is a woman’s right, climate change may kill our grandchildren, and ICE is evil.
What would you hope to accomplish while in office?
Thomasson: To really effect dramatic change which helps the common man, the Democrats must win the Senate, House and Lt. Governor’s seats. Otherwise, the rich will keep getting richer, and the poor keep getting poorer. The wealthy will pay less taxes, and the average family’s income suffers while healthcare costs rise and education suffers. If we fully take control, some of my (OUR) first aims would be to raise the minimum wage, eliminate vouchers, restore DEI, eliminate political control over state colleges, protect the environment better and repeal the horrible laws against women that control and threaten them.
What makes you stand out from the other candidates?
Thomasson: I am not a moderate Democrat, nor a conservative Democrat. I am a proudly progressive Democrat. I have years of “street ministry” experience and know how it really is for millions of working Texans. I refuse to accept donations from corporatePACs, will stand with the common Texan, whether man or woman, straight or LGBTQ+, non-immigrant or immigrant, Christian, Muslim, Atheist or anything else. (I definitely believe in keeping Church and State separated). I run to defend the (endangered) Constitution and to turn the last generation of Republican misrule around.
What are you known for in your community?
Thomasson: Here in College Station, I am a Democratic Activist, an active (but retired) United Methodist minister, an avid line dancer, game designer, and a husband of over 40 years to my retired public school teacher wife. I am also father to a son and daughter, both of whom are public school teachers, and a grandfather to two grandsons. In my 40+ years of full-time ministry, I was VERY proud that United Methodism stands strongly for the Social Gospel; we serve God by serving mankind. That’s why we educate through so many schools and heal through so many hospitals and clinics.