The Texas Senate District 22 race features Republican David Cook and Democrat Amy Martinez-Salas competing for a vacant seat on November 3, 2026. Voters will decide both a special election to finish the remainder of the current term and the regular election for a full four-year term beginning in 2027. The district spans Central and North Texas, covering Waco and McLennan County along with portions of Tarrant County and several rural counties.
The seat opened after longtime Republican Sen. Brian Birdwell resigned in May 2026. Birdwell, who represented the district since 2010, left to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment in the Trump administration. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the special election to coincide with the regular general election date. The winner of the special election will serve until January 11, 2027, while the winner of the concurrent general election will hold the seat for the next full term. Early voting for the special election begins October 19 and runs through October 30.
Both candidates advanced from their respective primaries in March. Cook, a state representative from Mansfield, won the Republican primary with 67 percent of the vote. Martinez-Salas, a legal assistant from Arlington, faced no opposition in the Democratic primary. The district leans strongly Republican, having supported Donald Trump by a wide margin in the 2024 presidential election. Historical results show no Democrat has held the seat in recent decades.
Background of the Vacancy and District Boundaries
Brian Birdwell announced in June 2025 that he would not seek re-election. He cited the conclusion of his service after more than 15 years and his nomination for a federal defense role. After Senate confirmation, he formally resigned, creating the vacancy that triggered the special election. Birdwell previously chaired the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and played a role in border security and property tax measures during his tenure.
Texas Senate District 22 includes all of Bosque, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Falls, Hamilton, Hill, Hood, McLennan, and Somervell counties, plus portions of Ellis and Tarrant counties. Waco stands as one of the district’s largest cities, followed by portions of Arlington, Mansfield, and other Tarrant County communities. The district mixes suburban growth areas near the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with smaller towns and rural communities farther south and west. Population estimates place the district near 900,000 residents, with a mix of urban, suburban, and agricultural interests.
Waco and McLennan County residents have noted that the area has not had a senator based in the region since Birdwell’s predecessor. Both current candidates reside in the northern portion of the district—Cook in Mansfield and Martinez-Salas in Arlington. Each has pledged to represent the full district, including Waco’s needs on infrastructure, economic development, and local concerns.
Profiles of the Candidates
David Cook, 55, has served in the Texas House of Representatives for District 96 since 2021. Before that, he was mayor of Mansfield from 2008 to 2021. He works as a board-certified family law attorney and managing partner of Harris Cook LLP. Cook also holds a role with Yellowstone Title. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Stephen F. Austin State University and a law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law. Cook has emphasized his local roots and legislative experience. He has stated that his time as mayor and three terms in the House prepare him to be effective immediately. Key priorities he has listed include property tax relief, reducing government spending, border security, and improving affordability for Texas families. Cook received endorsements from President Donald Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott during the primary. He is not seeking re-election to his House seat.
Amy Martinez-Salas, 36, is a first-time candidate and legal assistant who lives in Arlington. She graduated from Arlington High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2024. Martinez-Salas has described herself as a mother of four and a first-generation college graduate whose mother immigrated from Mexico. She has focused her campaign on sustainable water and infrastructure, healthcare access, and public education. She has highlighted concerns about aging infrastructure, rural wells, and support for working families and small towns. Martinez-Salas has also addressed issues such as data center water use and the need for local control. Her campaign fundraising has been modest compared with Cook’s, reflecting her status as a newcomer.
In the Republican primary, Cook defeated Jon Gimble, a former McLennan County district clerk, and Rena Schroeder, a rancher from Lott. Cook’s primary victory margin exceeded 40 points. Martinez-Salas advanced unopposed on the Democratic side.
Key Issues and Representation of Waco Interests
Candidates in the Texas Senate District 22 race have addressed a range of issues relevant to the district’s mix of communities. Property taxes remain a consistent theme for Cook, who has pointed to his record supporting relief measures. Border security and fiscal restraint also rank among his stated priorities. Martinez-Salas has centered water resources and infrastructure modernization, noting pressures on rural areas and the need to protect local supplies. Healthcare accessibility and funding for public schools appear among her top concerns as well.
Waco-area voters have raised questions about representation from candidates based outside the region. Both Cook and Martinez-Salas have campaigned across the district and stated their commitment to local priorities. Cook has participated in events in McLennan County, including a recent get-out-the-vote gathering with local Republican groups. Martinez-Salas has emphasized connecting rural and suburban needs and has discussed challenges facing smaller communities between larger population centers.
Other district issues include economic development in growing suburbs, agricultural concerns in rural counties, and infrastructure needs spanning the large geographic area. The district’s Republican lean means the general election contest is expected to favor Cook, though turnout and local dynamics in places like Waco and Tarrant County portions could influence the final margin. No major independent or third-party candidates have filed for the November ballot in this race.
Election Timeline and What Voters Should Know
The March primaries set the matchup. The special election filing deadline was August 20, 2026. With the same two candidates appearing on both the special and general election ballots on November 3, voters will effectively choose the next senator for both the short remainder of the current term and the subsequent full term. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Early voting runs October 19–30.
Campaign finance reports show Cook with substantially higher contributions and expenditures than Martinez-Salas. Cook has reported more than $1.4 million in contributions for the cycle, while Martinez-Salas has reported under $12,000. These figures reflect the difference in established political networks and primary competition.
Voters can find official information through county election offices or the Texas Secretary of State website. The district’s boundaries and county coverage remain unchanged for this election cycle. Results from past cycles show consistent Republican majorities, including Birdwell’s 2022 re-election with more than 74 percent of the vote.
The outcome will determine who represents a district that connects the growing suburbs of Tarrant County with Waco and surrounding rural counties. Both candidates have positioned themselves as ready to address local concerns on taxes, water, education, and economic issues. With early voting underway in the coming days, residents across the district will soon select their next state senator.
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