Southwest Tarrant County voters will choose their state representative on Nov. 3, when Republican incumbent John McQueeney and Democrat Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin appear side‑by‑side on the ballot for Texas House District 97.
McQueeney runs on a record of local results
McQueeney, first elected in 2024 after U.S. Rep. Craig Goldman vacated the seat, says his work is far from finished. “It’s clear my work’s not done,” he told the Fort Worth Report when asked about his decision to run again. The freshman legislator highlights fourteen bills signed into law during his first term, including a $7 million infusion for local parks and mental‑health resources.
He also points to his support for border protection, COVID‑19 vaccination requirements for state employees, and public‑education reforms. Notable achievements include the designation of U.S. Highway 281 in Blanco and Burnet counties as the Muckleroy Family Memorial Highway and a joint resolution naming Fort Worth the state’s official Aviation and Defense Capital through 2035.
As a small‑business owner and fast‑food franchisee, McQueeney emphasizes his personal stake in keeping taxes low. “I’m a small business owner myself, so I know every added cost eventually lands somewhere,” he said. His priorities for the upcoming 89th legislative session remain affordability, property‑tax relief, public‑education quality, public safety, and sustained growth for Tarrant County families.
McLaughlin offers a contrasting vision
Democratic challenger Beth McLaughlin, a retired Fort Worth ISD teacher and former small‑business owner, secured the Democratic nomination after a May runoff against Diane Symons. She previously ran for the seat in 2018, losing to then‑incumbent Craig Goldman.
McLaughlin criticizes the state’s 2026‑27 voucher program, arguing the funds would better support underfunded public schools. She also calls for returning local control to school districts, noting that recent state takeovers have stripped authority from locally elected officials.
Her platform expands beyond education. McLaughlin advocates for Medicaid expansion to lower health‑care costs for families and urges a broader diversity of professional backgrounds in the legislature, saying, “We need a diversity of backgrounds in Austin in order to really make sure that we’re serving everybody.”
Campaign finances
Financial disclosures show McQueeney has raised about $502,500 since July 2025 and has spent just over $286,000 on his campaign. McLaughlin has raised just over $42,000 and spent under $17,500 in the same period.
Voting information
Early voting for the Nov. 3 election begins Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30. Voters can find additional election details on the Texas Secretary of State website.
Both candidates stress the importance of family‑focused policies and local‑community stewardship, underscoring the pivotal role District 97 will play in shaping the future of Tarrant County.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
