Texas District 138 Election to Take Place November 3

Incumbent Lacey Hull faces challenger Tyler Smith as early voting turnout surges in the Houston area.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a ballot box and capitol dome silhouette, representing the Texas state legislative election process.
Incumbent Lacey Hull and Democratic challenger Tyler Smith are competing for Texas House District 138, with early voting turnout surging in Houston. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Incumbent Republican representative Lacey Hull and Democratic challenger Tyler Smith are competing for the Texas House District 138 seat. Voters in Houston and the surrounding area will head to the polls on November 3.

Why it matters

The race serves as a litmus test for district performance, with early voting turnout currently trending 45 percent higher than during the 2022 midterm cycle.

Early voting participation has reached 38,000 ballots cast, reflecting a 45 percent increase over the 2022 midterm cycle. The district maintains a partisan index of R-59%.

The players

Lacey Hull

Lacey Hull is the incumbent Republican representative for Texas House District 138 who was first elected to the position in 2020.

Tyler Smith

Tyler Smith is the Democratic challenger seeking to unseat the Republican incumbent in the upcoming Texas House election.

The details

Lacey Hull, first elected in 2020, has raised over $2 million for her reelection campaign and currently holds $580,000 in cash on hand. Her challenger, Tyler Smith, has reported $614,000 in total fundraising with $42,000 remaining in his campaign accounts.

Timeline

  1. Early voting concludes on Friday, October 30.

  2. Election Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Political Context

The race is heavily influenced by the Texas House District 138 partisan index of R-59%. Opponents of the incumbent suggest that the surge in early voter turnout indicates potential shifts in local sentiment that may challenge traditional district voting patterns.

Residents should verify their designated polling locations before heading out on November 3. The heightened turnout levels suggest that voters should plan for potentially longer wait times at the polls throughout the Houston area.

The takeaway

Voters are encouraged to check their registration status and polling site well in advance of the final day. Preparing documentation and reviewing candidate information can help facilitate a smoother experience on Election Day.

What happens next

Early voting will continue until the polls close on Friday, October 30. Election Day follows on Tuesday, November 3.

Further reading

For more information on upcoming races in the area, visit the Elections page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Texan.

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Do you prioritize a candidate's party affiliation or their specific legislative record when voting?