Texas 17th District
Pete Sessions (R) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Pete Sessions
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 117 of 125 votes and bills.
Raised $1,323,420 since January 2025: 50% from PACs and other committees, 47% from people, 3% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Casey Shepard
Democrat · Waco criminal defense attorney
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Shepard, and what Shepard has said and done settles only 2 of my principles. I went through it on October 28. A grade needs 4.
Raised $93,531 since January 2025: 94% from people, 6% the candidate’s own money. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Texas: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Casey Shepard, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Shepard, so the grade above comes from this list: what Shepard has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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His campaign vision page calls for ending tariffs that raise food prices.
“ending tariffs that raise food prices”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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His vision page offers tax incentives to build affordable homes.
“Encourage new housing development by offering tax incentives that make it easier to build affordable homes.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A housing tax incentive sits beside rent assistance and food programs, so it does not settle the measure.
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In the same interview he said the tariffs themselves must be fought and free trade restored.
“My first and foremost would be we need to fight the tariffs themselves”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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He said the social safety net should be much larger than it is, without naming a programme or tax.
“I think it should be much larger than it is.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A larger safety net with no programme named does not settle the measure.
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In an interview he said he would end the depreciation tax deduction for investors in housing.
“I would eliminate [investors'] depreciation of deduction on their taxes, so that they couldn't claim depreciation of these properties”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Removing a tax deduction for investors raises their taxes, the against side.
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His vision page says he wants immigrants welcomed as partners in rebuilding the American dream, naming no border or enforcement policy.
“I believe in a future with safe, affordable homes in every neighborhood, families who are healthy and supported, and immigrants welcomed as partners in rebuilding the American dream.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Welcoming immigrants with no amnesty, border or deportation policy named does not settle the measure.
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His vision page calls for updating immigration policy so trained foreign medical workers can legally serve.
“updating immigration policy so more trained medical workers can legally serve our communities”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
More legal visas for workers is neither enforcement nor amnesty, so it does not settle the measure.
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In an interview with the Baylor student paper he said the country needs to do away with ICE.
“We need to do away with ICE, not just the agency, but the entire idea that immigration”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Abolishing ICE is against liberty on borders.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Texas 17th District
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