Luna and Hardaway Will Seek House Seat

Diana Luna and Jay Hardaway are competing to fill the Texas House District 71 seat in the upcoming 2026 election.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Employment

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Candidates Diana Luna and Jay Hardaway are vying for the Texas House of Representatives District 71 seat. Both Abilene natives are running to succeed outgoing Representative Stan Lambert in the election scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Why it matters

The race follows the announcement by Stan Lambert that he will not seek re-election, leaving a significant vacancy in the district. Voters will choose between candidates with distinct professional backgrounds as they seek to address local representation needs.

Diana Luna brings 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to her campaign, while Jay Hardaway served on the Abilene City Council from 2014 to 2017. Both candidates previously worked for local legislative offices.

The players

Diana Luna

She is a candidate for the Texas House of Representatives District 71 seat and has worked in the nonprofit sector for 20 years.

Jay Hardaway

He is a candidate for the Texas House of Representatives District 71 seat who previously served on the Abilene City Council.

Stan Lambert

He is the outgoing representative for Texas House District 71 who decided not to seek re-election.

Greg Abbott

He is the Governor of Texas who recently ordered a halt to new data center developments in the state.

Jodey Arrington

He is a current U.S. Representative who previously employed Jay Hardaway on his staff.

The details

The candidates have discussed various regional issues during their campaigns, including economic factors such as housing costs where residents currently spend 35% to 50% of their income despite target levels of 20%. The race also follows a recent decision by Governor Greg Abbott to halt new data center developments in the state.

Jay Hardaway served on the Abilene City Council from 2014 to 2017.
The election for the Texas House District 71 seat takes place on November 3, 2026.

Macro View

This election for the Texas House of Representatives District 71 seat represents a standard transition in local legislative representation. Such transitions are common in state politics as long-term incumbents like Stan Lambert choose to retire, opening the floor for new candidates.

Residents in the district face significant economic pressures, with many households spending 35% to 50% of their income on housing rather than the recommended 20%. The outcome of this election will determine who represents these financial concerns at the state level.

The takeaway

Voters should review the candidate platforms to understand how each plans to address regional housing affordability and industrial development. Comparing the professional histories of Luna and Hardaway provides insight into how each might prioritize local issues after taking office.