Ann Johnson Wins Reelection to Texas House

Openly lesbian Democrat Ann Johnson defeats Republican Mike Michna to keep her Houston-area seat in the Texas House.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in LGBTQ+

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a simplified civic building facade with a flagpole against a pale sky, in navy, cream, and red. — Democratic state Representative Ann Johnson won reelection to the Texas House, defeating Republican Mike Michna with 68.87 percent of the vote. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think Texas should have more openly LGBTQ+ lawmakers in the state legislature?

Democratic state Rep. Ann Johnson won reelection to the Texas House of Representatives, defeating Republican challenger Mike Michna with 68.87 percent of the vote. Decision Desk HQ called the race at 11:57 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, when more than 95 percent of votes had been counted.

Why it matters

Johnson, an openly lesbian lawmaker, retains a seat representing Houston's 134th House District, which includes the LGBTQ+ neighborhood of Montrose. Her win comes as she has been a figure in efforts to repeal the state's prohibition on consensual same-sex sexual activity.

Johnson, first elected to the Texas House in 2020, won 68.87 percent of the vote against Michna's 31.13 percent. The source does not provide total ballots cast or certified final totals.

The players

Ann Johnson

A Democratic state representative from Houston's 134th House District, and an attorney and former prosecutor who is openly lesbian.

Mike Michna

The Republican challenger who lost the 134th House District race to Johnson in the general election.

Decision Desk HQ

A national election-results organization that made the call declaring Johnson the winner of the race.

The details

Johnson, an attorney and former prosecutor, was among lawmakers in May 2025 who advanced a bill to repeal Texas' prohibition on consensual same-sex sexual activity. That repeal bill passed a key House vote but did not clear the legislature.

2003: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Lawrence v. Texas, striking down sodomy prohibitions.
2020: Johnson was first elected to the Texas House.
May 2025: Johnson advanced a bill to repeal the state's same-sex sexual activity prohibition.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Johnson's reelection was called at 11:57 p.m. Eastern.

Political Context

The 2003 Supreme Court ruling in Lawrence v. Texas struck down the state's sodomy prohibitions, yet the statute remained on Texas books until lawmakers began efforts to repeal it in 2025. The bill Johnson advanced passed a key House vote but did not clear the legislature, leaving the question of formal repeal unresolved.

Johnson's continued seat means the Texas House has a sitting lawmaker who advanced the repeal of the state's same-sex sexual activity prohibition. Texas law still bans trans youth from sports teams matching their gender identity and bans gender-affirming care for minors.

The takeaway

Johnson's reelection keeps a sitting lawmaker in a Houston district that includes Montrose, the city's LGBTQ+ neighborhood. Readers following state policy should track whether the repeal effort returns in the next legislative session.