Denton County Republicans Secure Second Chances in Midterm Vote
Early returns show Ronny Jackson and Brandon Gill holding onto their House seats despite competitive challenges from Democratic and Libertarian candidates.
By Adriana Abebe ·
Republican incumbents in Denton County have secured their positions in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to early election results released on Wednesday morning. The victories ensure that both District 13 and District 26 will continue to be represented by lawmakers who have served in recent years.
In District 13, Rep. Ronny Jackson won re-election with 68.1% of the vote once 89% of precincts reported. His Democratic opponent, Mark Nair, received 31.9% of the total. Jackson, who first took office in 2021, credited his constituents for their support. "I am grateful for the continued trust and support of the people of TX-13," he stated. Jackson previously served as the White House physician under Presidents Obama and Trump. His military career saw a brief setback in 2022 when he was demoted from rear admiral to captain following allegations of inappropriate behavior, a rank that was restored in 2025.
Nair, the challenger in that district, is an Amarillo resident who formerly served on the City Council. He has worked as an inventor and entrepreneur, mentoring startup companies through the Texas Tech Innovation Hub and the National Science Foundation. Jackson said his return to Congress will focus on advancing President Trump’s America First agenda. He listed securing the southern border, protecting national security, and lowering costs for families as his primary goals.
In District 26, incumbent Rep. Brandon Gill is expected to retain his seat with 54.6% of the vote. Unofficial results as of 1:34 a.m. Wednesday showed Democratic candidate Steven Shook trailing with 44.3% and Libertarian candidate Phil Gray receiving approximately 1.1%. Gill was first elected in 2024 and assumed office on Jan. 3, 2025. He is a founder of the conservative media outlet DC Enquirer, which ceased operations after he entered Congress. President Trump endorsed Gill as a "MAGA warrior."
Shook, the Democratic challenger, is a critical care nurse practitioner who has worked in the healthcare sector since 2009. Gray, the Libertarian candidate, is a business owner and property manager. He has run for Congress multiple times since 2016, including against Gill in 2024 where he received 2.3% of the votes. Gray has also sought nominations in Texas’ 27th, 6th, and 30th congressional districts since 2020.
Both winners are now scheduled to return to Washington to serve their terms. Jackson will continue his work in District 13, while Gill will maintain his role in District 26. The election results confirm the retention of both seats by the Republican party in the Denton area.
