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‹ Texas Senate, District 18

Lois W. Kolkhorst

Lois W. Kolkhorst
RepublicanIncumbent
Running for Texas Senate, District 18.

Background

Lois Kolkhorst has represented Senate District 18 since a 2014 special election after serving in the Texas House. 

Current role
State Senator, District 18
Occupation
Small business owner
Education
Texas Christian University
Prior offices
Texas House of Representatives (seven terms); Texas Senate, District 18 (since 2014 special election)
Website

Positions

Property Taxes

What is the candidate's position on property tax levels and relief?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Education and School Choice

What is the candidate's position on public school funding, education savings accounts, and curriculum?
No public statement found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.
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?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Power Grid and Energy

What is the candidate's position on the ERCOT grid, reliability, and energy production?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Abortion

What is the candidate's position on Texas abortion law?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Firearms

What is the candidate's position on Texas firearms laws?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

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?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

District Priorities

What does the candidate say are the top issues for this district?
Opposes a proposed composting facility in the district, citing risks to water supplies including Lake Somerville. 

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?
No public statement found.
Searched Oct 20, 2026.
Voting record
Voted Yea on HB 229. HB 229 sets general definitions of sex based on biology for state law and for government collection of information; the Senate passed it 20-11 on third reading (May 2025). Voted Yea on concurring in House amendments to SB 8. SB 8 (2nd Called Session) regulates the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex, with a civil penalty and a private right of action; the Senate concurred in House amendments 18-8 (September 3, 2025). 

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?
No public statement found.
Searched Oct 20, 2026.
Voting record
Voted Yea on SB 10 on passage and on concurrence. SB 10 requires display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms; the Senate passed it 20-11 (March 19, 2025) and concurred in House amendments 21-10 (May 28, 2025). Voted Yea on SB 11. SB 11 relates to a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text in public schools; the Senate passed it 23-7 (March 18, 2025). 

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?
No public statement found.
Searched Oct 20, 2026.
Voting record
Voted Yea on HB 4211. HB 4211 regulates certain residential property interests controlled by certain entities; the Governor's office described it as aimed at developments like the proposed EPIC City. The Senate passed it 30-1 (May 27, 2025). 

Home Insurance and Housing Costs

What is the candidate's approach to home insurance rates and housing costs in Texas?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 20, 2026.

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.