Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Diana Loya, Texas House of Representatives, District 87

2026 is a big year in Texas politics. With Democrats ascendant, Governor Greg Abbott has embraced right-wing conservative candidates to defeat them. But Texans are tired of policies that keep food and energy prices high, snatch people off the street to be sent to concentration camps, and prevent women from having autonomy over their own bodies.

Luckily, a crop of progressive women are challenging the status quo in Texas. One such candidate is Diana Loya (she/her), a Latina millennial educator and mother in the rural Texas Panhandle. As a public school teacher, education is one of the foundations of her campaign, along with a level economic playing field, where government supports the needs of the working class, and not the 1%, and where taxpayer dollars go towards building infrastructure that benefits the people, and not right back into billionaires’ pockets.

Where are you based?
Dumas, Tx

What position are you running for?
State Representative for House District 87

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
My platform is about standing up for the people in the Panhandle. I am not a politician, but I will fight to make sure our voices are heard in Austin.

I will fight to fully fund our public schools, support our teachers with fair pay, and oppose voucher programs that take resources away from our rural districts.

As a veteran wife and working mom, I will advocate for policies that support economic stability and honor those who have served.

I support real, responsible tax relief that doesn’t shift the burden onto our schools or local communities.

I will work to protect and fund our rural hospitals, expand access to care, and ensure families don’t have to travel so far for basic services.

Finally, I will fight to maintain our water infrastructure and responsibly strengthen economic development.

What inspired you to run?
Working in education, the school voucher scheme truly affected my desire to do more. I couldn’t look at the students in our district in the eyes without feeling like we have let them down. When I learned more about what our state representative has currently done and what they stand for, I decided I needed to step up and try to do something. If not me, then who?

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
I believe small change is change. I can’t pretend like I would be able to change the country, but it starts in our own towns and districts. It takes working together, democrats and republicans, to make a change. In the end, wanting a better life is a nonpartisan issue. I hope to bring real life experience and common sense solutions to our district. I hope to bring the Panhandle fairness in decision making at the capitol and a seat at the table.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
Our public schools, especially in HD 87, are underfunded. We are facing teacher shortages and will further be weakened by voucher programs. I will fight to increase the PSF (per student funding) which has not been raised since 2019. I will also push for meaningful and fair teacher pay raises for our teachers. I will oppose vouchers that will further drain money from our public schools. I will also invest in programs to support our school districts with staff training, adequate resources in curriculum, and ongoing education for our teachers.

Another major issue is the rising property taxes which are overwhelming our families. I will oppose cutting them the wrong way which is hurting our schools and local services. Instead, I will fight for use of the state surplus fund to provide relief and reduce reliance on property tases by rebalancing how the state funds education, as it was before.

Rural hospitals are closing or struggling, forcing families to travel far for care. I will fight to support funding of rural hospitals and protect and strengthen programs like Medicaid an CHIP.

A big issue that is rarely spoken about is helping our veterans in our rural areas. Texas has the biggest population of homeless veterans. I am committed to fighting for policies which will expand veteran access to healthcare, housing, and jobs support. We need to bring real understanding of military family sacrifice into policymaking in Austin.

Finally, an issue which will impact the Texas Panhandle not only now but in the future, is our water, infrastructure and economic development. Decisions made now, such as Project Matador, have the potential to endanger our water infrastructure and long-term sustainability. I will fight for common sense decisions on projects that bring jobs and economic growth to the Panhandle, but not at the expense of our future.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
I believe in voting for a person and not the party. Some candidates are better fit for the job than others, regardless of party affiliation. At the core, both parties want the same thing, to have a better life for them and their families. As [US Senate Democratic Candidate James] Talarico said, “We have to be able to reach across the aisle.” I truly believe this. We are all educated smart adults. Being able to listen and learn as much as we speak will ensure equal representation of both parties.

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
My identity and background aren’t just part of my story. They’re exactly why I am ready to serve. I came to this country as a child and had to learn a new language, a new system, and find my place. This experience has shaped how I see the overlooked. It’s why I dedicated my life to public education. I have spent 20 years in our public education, not in theory, but in the trenches. I understand first hand how the policies actually impact real people, not just on paper.

As a veteran wife, I lived the sacrifice and understand what it looks like. I’ve lived through deployments, held the fort while my husband was away, and carried responsibilities most people have never seen.

I am also a working mom in a rural community. I know what it’s like living paycheck to paycheck, worrying about a major health crisis that could bankrupt us. I know what it is to want better opportunities for our children without having to leave home.

So when I get to Austin, I won’t have to ask or guess what people need, I have lived it. I am not a politician. I am one of their own and that is the leadership I plan to incorporate in Austin.

What is your motto in life?
There are many which I share with my teachers, children, and now in myccampaign. As a mother, you are always teaching your children how to navigate through life.

“If not you, then who?”

It has been the motto for my campaign because I told myself this when making the decision to run.

Where can we find out more about you?
My website is dianaloyahd87.com
Instagram: dianaloyatxhd87
Facebook: Diana Loya For HD-87