One of the three candidates for the Texas House seat that covers Little Elm lives in town. Libertarian Darren Hamilton, 61, is challenging Republican Rep. Richard Hayes, who is seeking a third term in House District 57, along with Democrat Ray Stith, according to candidate profiles the Cross Timbers Gazette published this week.
The district runs from the western edge of Denton County across part of the central county to Little Elm, the Gazette reported. All three candidates were unopposed in their party primaries in March. The winner serves a two-year term. Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19, and runs through Friday, Oct. 30, ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
The candidates
Richard Hayes (R), 73, of Hickory Creek. Hayes lists property tax reform, affordable insurance and lower health care costs among his priorities, along with economic development and jobs. On schools, he says the state guarantees a quality education and that it should require testing that makes sense and support classroom teachers while it addresses public school funding. He also names support for police, first responders and veterans, the reliability of the power grid and water supply, and what he calls election integrity.
Ray Stith (D), 42, of Argyle. Stith says he wants to serve the district by focusing on results "instead of political rhetoric and culture wars." He pledges to push for full funding of public schools, infrastructure that keeps up with fast-growing towns, better-paying jobs and support for veterans and military families. He says he would judge each bill by whether it widens or narrows opportunity and access for Texans.
Darren Hamilton (L), 61, of Little Elm. Hamilton says his main goal is to get state government to ask "Then what?" before passing new laws: whether a law solved the problem it targeted, what new problems it created and how it will look in five or 10 years. He calls for more transparency, stronger protection of individual and property rights, and fewer laws passed only because lawmakers felt pressure to act. He also asks whether lawmakers would still want a given power if the other party held it.
