Jimenez Wins Texas House District 52 Seat
Democrat Chris Jimenez unseated incumbent Caroline Harris Davila and filed three bills ahead of the 90th Legislature.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Chris Jimenez won the Texas House District 52 race by more than seven percentage points, defeating incumbent Caroline Harris Davila. Days later he filed three bills addressing private school vouchers, data center tax exemptions and Medicaid access.
Why it matters
The win comes as the Texas House has a Democratic majority for the first time in more than two decades, setting up a divided legislature. Voters in the race prioritized education outcomes and healthcare affordability alongside cost of living, according to a Texas 2036 poll.
Jimenez's margin of more than seven percentage points compares with Harris Davila's double-digit victories in 2022 and 2024. Whether his three bills, including HB 735, HB 725 and HB 750, advance in the 90th Legislature has not been determined.
The players
Chris Jimenez
A Democrat who won Texas House District 52 and represents Williamson County.
Caroline Harris Davila
The incumbent state representative for House District 52, who lost her seat in the election.
The details
Jimenez filed HB 735 to bar taxpayer dollars from funding private schools, HB 725 to lower the cost of medical visits across Texas, and HB 750 to eliminate the 15-year sales tax exemption for data center projects. He represents Williamson County and takes office in January.
Timeline
Election night, November 2026: Jimenez wins House District 52 over Harris Davila.
Monday, November 9, 2026: Jimenez files three bills ahead of the session.
January 2027: Jimenez takes office in the Texas House.
Political Context
The election marks the first Democratic majority in the Texas House in more than two decades, a shift from sustained Republican control of the chamber. Jimenez's bills on school vouchers and data center tax breaks will test whether the divided legislature can cooperate across party lines.
If enacted, HB 735 would stop taxpayer dollars from funding private schools, and HB 750 would end a 15-year sales tax exemption for data center projects. HB 725 aims to lower what Texans pay for medical visits.
The takeaway
The Texas House's new partisan balance means bills on school funding, healthcare costs and data center taxes will face a legislature that must negotiate across party lines. Readers tracking these issues should watch how the January session handles them.
What happens next
Jimenez takes office in January 2027, when the 90th Legislature convenes and his three bills can be considered.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Legislative Policy for context on bills filed ahead of the 90th Legislature.
Live Poll
Should taxpayer dollars be used to fund private school tuition?
