Meet the 10 Democrats That Could Flip Texas’ 6th District Seat

As a result of Rep. Ron Wright’s death, 23 candidates—including 10 Democrats—will be vying for the vacant seat in an election on May 1.

On Feb. 7, 2021, Texas Republican Rep. Ron Wright died from complications of COVID-19. Wright became the first sitting member of Congress to die from the coronavirus. As a result of his death, Texas’ 6th District seat in Congress is now vacant. 

On May 1, 23 candidates—including 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats—will be vying for his seat in this particular unexpected election race. Some predict that there’s likely to be a mid-summer runoff election because there are so many candidates. 

If a Democrat wins the election, the representative will flip Texas’ 6th District seat. Meet the Democrat candidates. 

Jana Lynne Sánchez

Jana Lynne Sánchez is a former journalist and the granddaughter of migrant farmworkers. She first ran for Congress in 2018. 

Lydia Bean

Dr. Lydia Bean is a mom, small business owner, and community leader. Bean graduated from Austin College and holds a PhD in sociology from Harvard University. 

Shawn Lassiter

Shawn Lassiter is a nonprofit leader, a single mom, a former science teacher, and a first-generation college graduate. 

Daryl Eddings Sr. 

Daryl Eddings Sr. is a local businessman and has 30 years of experience in management as an operations officer with the US Department of Defense, as well as a mental health advocate for the military and veterans.  

Matt Hinterlong

Matt Hinterlong is from Arlington, Texas, and graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in economics and engineering science, and also a graduate degree in sustainable development from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. His previous work includes being an accountant for a Department of Defense contractor in the Republic of Georgia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. 

Tammy Allison 

Tammy Allison is a former attorney with the US Department of Justice and a federal executive clemency expert. Allison is also a public speaker and writer. 

Patrick Moses

Patrick Moses is a retired federal law enforcement officer with a career that spans 32 years. He is now a Baptist pastor with degrees in political science, public administration from Southern University and A&M College, and a master of divinity from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University.

Christopher Suprun

Christopher Suprun worked as a firefighter and paramedic for almost three decades. 

Brian Stephenson

Brian Stephenson has served in the US Air Force and earned a degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His career experience includes working as a systems engineer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Manuel Richard Salazar

Manuel Richard Salazar is a realtor in Texas.