Jackson and Gill Secure Retention in Texas House Races
Republican incumbents in Denton County hold their seats with substantial margins as early results solidify their positions for another term in Congress.
By Luana Sato ·
Two Republican members of the U.S. House from the Denton County area are positioned to retain their congressional seats following the November general election.
In Texas House District 13, Representative Ronny Jackson leads Democrat Mark Nair by a wide margin. With 89% of precincts reporting early Wednesday morning, Jackson holds 68.1% of the vote to Nair’s 31.9%.
Jackson, who assumed his seat in 2021, expressed gratitude for the continued support of constituents in a statement. He stated that his focus will remain on advancing the administration’s agenda, securing the southern border, and protecting national security. Jackson served as the president’s physician for both Barack Obama and Donald Trump’s first term. In 2022, he was demoted from Navy rear admiral to captain following allegations of inappropriate behavior, a rank that was restored in 2025.
His opponent, Nair, is an inventor and entrepreneur based in Amarillo. Nair previously served on the Amarillo City Council and has mentored startups through the Texas Tech Innovation Hub and the National Science Foundation.
In Texas House District 26, incumbent Representative Brandon Gill is expected to hold his position with 54.6% of the vote based on unofficial results at 1:34 a.m. Wednesday. Democratic candidate Steven Shook trails with 44.3%, while Libertarian candidate Phil Gray captures approximately 1.1%.
Gill was first elected in 2024 and took office on January 3, 2025. Endorsed by President Trump as a MAGA warrior, Gill founded the conservative media outlet the DC Enquirer, which ceased operations when he assumed his legislative duties. Shook is a critical care nurse practitioner who has worked in healthcare since 2009.
Gray, a business owner and property manager, ran against Gill in the 2024 race, receiving 2.3% of the votes. He has also sought Libertarian nominations for various Texas congressional districts since at least 2016.
