Fort Worth, TX – Voters in Texas Senate District 22 will head to the polls on Nov. 3 in a special election called by Gov. Greg Abbott to replace former Sen. Brian Birdwell, who left the chamber for a senior Pentagon appointment. The race pits Republican State Rep. David Cook, a former Mansfield mayor, against Democrat Amy Martinez‑Salas, an Arlington mother and legal‑assistant making her first foray into politics.
Candidate backgrounds
Cook represents House District 96 and brings three terms in the Texas House plus experience as Mansfield’s mayor. He is also the managing partner of Harris Cook LLP, a board‑certified family‑law practice. “My service as Mansfield mayor and three terms in the Texas House have prepared me to be effective on day one,” Cook said in an email to the Fort Worth Report.
Martinez‑Salas, a mother of two, describes herself as a “leader in life” and says her family‑centered perspective will guide her campaign. “I’m a mother. I lead a household. I am a leader,” she told the paper.
Key issues and policy proposals
Property tax relief and responsible spending – Cook pledges to cut wasteful government spending and deliver lasting property‑tax relief, citing his role in co‑authoring the largest property‑tax cut in Texas history. “For too long, promised tax relief has been gobbled up by higher appraisals and wasteful government spending,” he said.
Martinez‑Salas agrees that tax relief is essential for working families and seniors, but stresses that any cut must still fully fund public schools and essential local services.
Water security and infrastructure – Martinez‑Salas makes the Texas Water Fund a top priority, promising to modernize aging infrastructure and protect rural wells from drying up. “The water crisis is the most critical life‑or‑death issue facing the families and farmers of District 22,” she warned.
Cook counters that data centers, which are proliferating in rural areas, pose the biggest challenge to water and energy resources. He proposes legislation requiring data centers to report resource use, bring their own power and adopt closed‑loop water‑conservation systems.
Border security – Cook emphasizes securing the Texas‑Mexico border as a core priority, aligning with Governor Abbott’s strong stance on immigration enforcement.
Healthcare access – Martinez‑Salas, drawing on a nursing background, vows to increase rural health‑care access and ensure a ZIP code never determines the quality of care a family receives. Cook highlights his support for price transparency, competition and patient choice to lower health‑care costs.
Education – Martinez‑Salas opposes school vouchers that drain funding from rural districts and calls for ending high‑stakes standardized testing. She also supports expanded accommodations for students with disabilities. Cook backs increased teacher pay, special‑education funding, school safety measures and parental authority over discipline and school choice.
Housing and development – Both candidates recognize affordable housing as a pressing concern. Cook favors fast‑tracking homebuilding by cutting red tape and accelerating permits, while Martinez‑Salas proposes strategic tax incentives to spur workforce‑housing construction.
Transportation – Cook supports high‑performing rail projects like the Heartland Flyer but opposes high‑speed rail proposals that could threaten farming families through eminent domain. Martinez‑Salas backs high‑speed rail only if it respects rural property rights and delivers clear economic benefits.
Broader context
The special election follows Birdwell’s move to the Pentagon, where he now serves as assistant secretary of war for sustainment after Senate confirmation. President Donald Trump recently referred to the Department of Defense as the “Department of War,” underscoring the administration’s commitment to a strong national defense, though any formal title change would require congressional action.
Both Cook and Martinez‑Salas stress the need for bipartisan collaboration to advance Texas policies that protect families, preserve traditional values and promote economic opportunity.
Voting information
Early voting runs Oct. 19‑30, with Election Day on Nov. 3. Voters can check registration status and find their polling place through the Texas Secretary of State’s website.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
