Charles Schwertner, Texas Senate, District 5

Charles Schwertner

RepublicanIncumbent

Running for Texas Senate, District 5.

Background

Charles Schwertner is the incumbent senator for District 5 and an orthopedic surgeon. He served one term in the Texas House before joining the Senate.

Current role: State Senator, District 5
Occupation: Orthopedic surgeon
Education: University of Texas at Austin (pharmacy); University of Texas Medical Branch (medicine)
Prior offices: Texas House of Representatives, District 20 (one term); Texas Senate, District 5 (since 2012)
Hometown: Georgetown

Positions

Property Taxes

What is the candidate's position on property tax levels and relief?

Supports property tax relief and supported a constitutional ban on a state income tax.

Education and School Choice

What is the candidate's position on public school funding, education savings accounts, and curriculum?

Supports the education savings account program (often called school vouchers) and teacher pay raises.

Voting record

Voted yes on the Senate motion to concur in House amendments to SB 2, which created the education savings account program (often called school vouchers); adopted 19-12 (Senate Journal, April 24, 2025).

Border Security

What role should the state play in border security and immigration enforcement?

Supported 287(g) immigration enforcement legislation and state border security funding.

Power Grid and Energy

What is the candidate's position on the ERCOT grid, reliability, and energy production?

Supports grid reforms, new generation and nuclear energy development.

Abortion

What is the candidate's position on Texas abortion law?

Says he supported bans on abortion after a heartbeat is detected and on "dismemberment abortions."

Firearms

What is the candidate's position on Texas firearms laws?

Says he supported the "Constitutional Carry" law.

Public Safety and Bail

What is the candidate's position on bail, policing, and criminal justice?

No public position found.

Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Health Care

What is the candidate's position on Medicaid, insurance coverage, and health costs in Texas?

No public position found.

Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Elections and Voting

What is the candidate's position on election administration, voting rules, and redistricting?

Says he supported election legislation that bans "ballot harvesting."

District Priorities

What does the candidate say are the top issues for this district?

No public position found.

Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Transgender Policy

What is the candidate's position on Texas laws related to transgender people, including medical treatment for minors, school sports, facilities, and legal definitions of sex?

Not yet researched.

Religion and Public Schools

What is the candidate's position on religion in public schools, such as displaying the Ten Commandments, school prayer, and chaplains?

Not yet researched.

Religious Liberty and Faith Communities

What has the candidate said or done regarding religious freedom and specific faith communities in Texas, such as Christians, Jews, and Muslims?

Not yet researched.

Home Insurance and Housing Costs

What is the candidate's approach to home insurance rates and housing costs in Texas?

Not yet researched.

Money

Finance figures are being checked against official FEC and Texas Ethics Commission filings and will appear here once verified.

Endorsements

No public endorsements found. Searched Oct 19, 2026.