Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Andie Ho, Texas House of Representatives, District 12

The Texas House of Representatives has its largest Republican majority since the peak years of 2011-19, which fell mostly during Democratic control of the White House but not much else. The road to Democratic majority in Texas runs through its rural districts, as in most states across America, where differences between left and right are not as profound or insurmountable as one would think, considering everyone has the same desires afforded to them in life, while people in power try to strip these rights in order to enrich themselves.

In rural Texas, Andie Ho (she/her) is running to unseat a first-term incumbent, in a district long held by the GOP. Andie, a Xennial French to English translator and a Director of the American Translators Association, is a second-generation American running to ensure that all Texans, regardless of national origin, have the same rights and freedoms under the law and rights like health care, which is a cornerstone of her campaign.

© Michael Hoogterp

Where are you based? 
Huntsville, TX

What position are you running for? 
State Representative for district HD-12, which runs roughly north/northeast of Houston.

How would you briefly summarize your platform? 
Make America sane again. So often when I talk to people in person, it turns out we want the same thing, regardless of party affiliation. Maybe we have differing ideas on how to get there, but internet and the media have led us to believe people are so much more different from each other than they really are.

What inspired you to run? 
If there's anything we've learned in the past 10 years it's that you don't need special qualifications to run for office and that it would benefit all if more regular people did it. Never in a million years did I think I'd be running for office, but I was tired of everyone waiting for someone else to do it.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
The county I live in is one of the most impoverished in the state. It's also very rural, meaning my neighbors and I are often left out of broader conversations. I intend to fight for them and make sure their voices are heard and needs are met.

What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far? 
This is my first time running for any kind of public office, though I was president and later treasurer of my local Democrats organization, which has worked hard for years to get local college students registered to vote and to the polls on election day.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them? 
The state legislature has a limited ability to address many of the hot button topics currently in the news, but it does have an influence on citizens' daily lives. I would like to repeal the school vouchers bill, which diverts taxpayer money to private educational endeavors. The state of Texas also needs to address water rights, which is not top of mind for many folks but has extreme ramifications in the medium term. And of course, there's the matter of the Medicaid expansion, which Texas has never taken. I know these topics don't capture everyone's imagination, but the reality is that they have an immediate impact on people's day-to-day lives. And that's what local politicians are supposed to address.

America is extremely divided these days.  How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans? 
Most people I've talked to in real life want the same things: safety, security, and prosperity for themselves and their loved ones. They just have differing ideas on how to attain them. Call me an eternal optimist, but since we're aiming for the same goal, I believe the battle is half-won already. I'm not talking about compromising my values. I'm simply saying the battle doesn't have to be as fierce as we've come to think.
Red vs. blue is a construct. Most people's beliefs actually come out some shade of purple.

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office? What is your motto in life? 
For years, my motto has been "People are just people." My family is from Asia, I grew up in small-town America, and I've lived and studied in Europe. Throughout all my experiences, I've discovered that people everywhere are really pretty similar. No matter where you go, the vast majority of them are just trying to put food on the table for their kids and live their lives.

Where can we find out more about you? 
Visit my campaign website at andiefortexas.com.
Instagram: andiefortexas