Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, TX – State Representative Terry Canales announced today that he will seek re-election to the Texas House of Representatives for District 40, reaffirming his commitment to fighting for the Rio Grande Valley and ensuring South Texas has a strong voice in Austin.
“The past year has brought serious challenges—not just in public life, but personally. I’ve faced health issues, and several members of my family have as well. Through it all, I’ve felt the strength of my community and the deep responsibility that comes with public service. That’s why I’m running for re-election.”
Canales, who has served in the Texas House since 2013, reflected on the sacrifice that public service demands—not only from elected officials but also from their families.
“Serving as a state representative is one of the greatest honors of my life. But it comes with great sacrifice—not just for me, but for my wife and our five beautiful children. Still, we know this work matters. The Rio Grande Valley is changing. Texas politics is changing. And we need steady, effective leadership more than ever.”
As the first Latino to have chaired the powerful House Transportation Committee, Canales has earned a reputation for bipartisan leadership and delivering results for his district. His top accomplishments include:
- Expanding infrastructure investment across the Rio Grande Valley and securing long- overdue highway funding
- Championing water infrastructure and flood mitigation in underserved regions
- Advocating for fair funding in public education, ensuring rural and South Texas schools aren’t left behind
- Fighting for access to healthcare and mental health services in low-income communities
- Helping pass some of the strongest open government and transparency reforms in the country to make public records more accessible and hold government accountable to the people.
Looking ahead, Canales says there is much more to do in the Texas Legislature.
“We still have families who can’t access clean drinking water. We still have rural communities being left out of broadband and economic opportunity. Our teachers are overworked and underpaid. And our health care system is strained and underfunded. The work is far from finished.”
Canales says he will continue to focus on:
- Investing in infrastructure and mobility to meet the needs of a fast-growing Valley
- Protecting public schools from politicized attacks and funding cuts
- Ensuring South Texas has a seat at the table in water, energy, and border security debates
- Fighting for the rights of working families, small businesses, and underserved communities
“Now more than ever, the Valley deserves leaders who show up, speak up, and deliver. I’m proud of what we’ve done—but I’m even more driven by what we still need to accomplish.”
Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg currently serves as Chair, Transportation Funding, and Member of the Committee on Transportation, Calendars, and Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veteran’s Affairs. Canales represents House District 40 in Hidalgo County, which includes portions of Edinburg, Pharr, Elsa, San Juan, Faysville, La Blanca, Linn, Lópezville, and McAllen. He may be reached at his House District Office in Edinburg at (956) 383-0860 or at the Capitol at (512) 463-0426.
Information source: Office of Senator Canales
