Texas 5th District
Lance Gooden (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
Lance Gooden
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 116 of 128 votes and bills.
Raised $1,526,518 since January 2025: 41% from PACs and other committees, 30% transfers and other income, 29% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Chelsey Hockett
Democrat · East Texas mother and community organizer
FLiberty Score F10 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Hockett has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Hockett.
Raised $56,908 since January 2025: 100% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Lance Gooden. Lance Gooden: A, 93 out of 100 from recorded votes. Chelsey Hockett: F, 10 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
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.
Chelsey Hockett, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Hockett, so the grade above comes from this list: what Hockett 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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She calls for no more war in Iran, with no policy or bill named.
“No more war in Iran.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
An end-the-war line with no policy named is unclear for anyone.
-
On the DSA North Texas questionnaire she marked Support for the BDS movement and a ban on all weapon sales to Israel.
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Backing BDS and cutting off weapons to Israel is against liberty on free nations.
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She calls for ending all US funding for Israel through the Block the Bombs Act.
“End the Genocide in Gaza by passing the Block the Bombs Act and other legislation that will terminate all US funding for the apartheid state of Israel”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Cutting off aid and weapons to Israel and calling its war genocide are on the against side.
-
Asked for her stance on capitalism and democratic socialism, she says democratic socialism is a path to giving power back to workers.
“I believe democratic socialism is a path toward giving power back to workers and communities”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Backing socialism is against liberty on free markets.
-
She says she will enact Medicare for All.
“Enact Medicare for All.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is on the against side.
-
She calls for a progressive income tax and a wealth tax on corporations and billionaires.
“Make corporations and billionaires pay their fair share by closing tax loopholes and instituting a progressive income tax and a wealth tax.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A wealth tax is on the against side.
-
She says she will end the tariffs.
“End Trump's Tariffs.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs follows the free markets test, which lists broad tariffs on the against side.
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She backs the Equality Act, which bars discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Ensure the rights of ALL Americans citizens are protected and respected by passing the Equality Act designed to prevent discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The line does not say how it applies to sport, schools or prisons, so it does not settle the measure.
-
On the DSA North Texas questionnaire she marked Support for an end to US wars including Iran and significant cuts to the Pentagon budget.
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Cutting the defence budget is against liberty on defense.
-
Her Issues page says voters are tired of tax money spent on conflicts, without naming the defence budget.
“Our citizens are sick of the trillions of taxpayer dollars wasted on these senseless conflicts.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
It names wasted spending on conflicts but no cut or increase to the armed forces budget, so it does not settle the measure.
-
She calls for abolishing and prosecuting ICE.
“Abolish and Prosecute ICE and replace it with humane, accountable immigration services.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Abolishing ICE is on the against side.
-
She says pathways to citizenship would secure the border better than ICE enforcement.
“Providing fair and efficient pathways to citizenship would do far more to secure our borders than masked armed men roaming the streets ever has done.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship is on the against side.
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 5th District
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