After 12 years of representation by Arlington Republican Tony Tinderholt, Texas House District 94 is now an open seat. The district, which includes parts of west and central Arlington, Hurst and east Fort Worth, will decide its next state representative in the November 3 election.
Candidate backgrounds
Cheryl Bean is a former business owner and the current president of the charter school board for the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. She secured the Republican nomination after defeating four GOP challengers in the March primary. Bean previously ran for a Texas House seat covering Benbrook, Crowley and southwest Fort Worth, losing a runoff to Rep. John McQueeney.
Bean emphasizes three priorities: boosting business success, improving housing affordability, and supporting law‑enforcement. Drawing on two decades in the construction industry as founder of Fort Worth‑based B Smart Builders, she says she knows how to help families afford homes.
Democratic challenger
Katie O’Brien Duzan is a marketing executive and political newcomer who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Born and raised in Arlington, she stresses her deep roots in the district and a desire to represent all residents.
Duzan’s platform focuses on lowering costs for families, strengthening public schools and increasing local control. She cites her experience on PTAs and school volunteer work as the basis for her education proposals, urging the state to raise per‑student funding to keep pace with inflation.
Education debate
Both candidates agree that public schools need more funding. Bean warned that recent school‑related legislation added administrative tasks without accompanying state dollars, arguing that any new law should be matched with funding. Duzan countered that the state must increase funding to address rising costs since the pandemic, emphasizing the impact on children, teachers and the broader community.
Campaign rhetoric
Bean characterized the race in stark terms, suggesting that a Duzan victory would turn the district “socialist.” She defended her stance by noting Duzan’s platform as “socialist” while also acknowledging Duzan’s courage to run. Duzan rejected the accusation, calling it “blatantly false” and denouncing the rhetoric as extreme.
Bean also highlighted her ability to serve full‑time in Austin, noting that she sold her construction business to focus on the job. She questioned Duzan’s preparedness, pointing to Duzan’s two small children and family obligations. Duzan responded that her family fully supports her campaign and understands the responsibilities of a state representative.
Local ties and controversy
Bean moved to the east Fort Worth portion of the district in May 2025, while Duzan has lived in Arlington her entire life. Bean faced criticism during the GOP primary after a social‑media post, posted by a hired contractor, was deemed offensive and racially charged. She deleted the post, denounced its content and described her campaign as culturally diverse.
Democratic targeting and fundraising
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee listed District 94 as a target race, the only one in Tarrant County. Bean noted that recent Senate District 9 results, where Democrat Taylor Rehmet overperformed in a historically red area, may have encouraged Democratic optimism. She remains confident, saying the race is a challenge she is ready to meet.
Duzan said the committee’s focus confirmed what she already knew from internal polling, noting she was not surprised but pleased to see the numbers align with her expectations.
Campaign finances
As of July, Bean reported roughly $92,000 cash on hand, $123,000 in contributions and $44,000 in expenditures. Duzan had about $75,000 cash on hand, $119,000 raised and $14,034 spent.
Voting information
Early voting runs from Oct. 19‑30, with Election Day on Nov. 3. Voters can check registration status and locate their polling place through the county’s voter resources.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
