U.S. House, Texas 8th Congressional District · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in Texas's 8th Congressional District?
Jessica Steinmann has the strongest record in Texas's 8th Congressional District. Jessica Steinmann scores 59 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 6, 2026. Jessica Steinmann's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Laura Jones (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Laura Jones
On the ballot as LAURA JONES
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 60
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Strongest record
Jessica Steinmann
On the ballot as JESSICA HART STEINMANN
59 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Laura Jones
- Credit2022
Served as chair of the San Jacinto County Democratic Party before her 2022 congressional run, as reported by Community Impact.
Source: Community Impact, Oct. 7, 2022
Jessica Steinmann
- Credit2020-03-31
Sworn in March 31, 2020 as Director of the Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime, a presidential appointment; the office administered nearly $9 billion in grants.
Sources: Office of Justice Programs, archived biography, Texas Tribune via Houston Public Media, July 30, 2026
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Laura Jones. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, and a House candidate financial disclosure was filed April 25, 2026. No FEC administrative fine or Texas Ethics Commission order found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, House Clerk candidate financial disclosure, Filing ID 10076186, FEC administrative fines search
Jessica Steinmann. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, and House candidate financial disclosures are on file, most recently Aug. 12, 2026 after an extension. No FEC administrative fine or Texas Ethics Commission order found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, House Clerk candidate financial disclosure, Filing ID 10075906, FEC administrative fines search
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Laura Jones. No public record found.
Jessica Steinmann. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Laura Jones. No public record found.
Jessica Steinmann. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Laura Jones. No public record found.
Jessica Steinmann. Directed the Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime from 2020 to 2021 and was a regional director for Sen. Ted Cruz. No formal conduct finding found.
Sources: Office of Justice Programs, archived biography, Texas Tribune via Houston Public Media, July 30, 2026
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Laura Jones. No public record found.
Jessica Steinmann. Sworn in as Director of the Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime on March 31, 2020. No misuse-of-office finding and no recorded action to reject certified results found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Laura Jones. Business owner and real estate sales agent who formerly chaired the San Jacinto County Democratic Party. Has not held public office.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Laura Jones (Texas), Community Impact, Oct. 7, 2022
Jessica Steinmann. Presidentially appointed Director of the Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime, overseeing nearly $9 billion in grants, after serving as the department's intergovernmental affairs liaison; earlier a Senate staffer and commercial litigator.
Sources: Office of Justice Programs, archived biography, Community Impact, Jan. 22, 2026
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Laura Jones. Publishes positions with specific federal measures, including Medicare for All, a minimum wage tied to the cost of living and codifying Roe v. Wade.
Sources: Campaign site, home page, Community Impact, Sept. 20, 2024
Jessica Steinmann. Publishes an issues page and questionnaire answers stating priorities (cutting spending, border security, energy, flood preparedness through local control) in general terms.
Sources: Community Impact, Jan. 22, 2026, Campaign site, Issues
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Laura Jones. Answered Community Impact candidate questionnaires in 2022 and 2024 and publishes issue positions on her campaign site. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Community Impact, Sept. 20, 2024, Campaign site, home page, Ballotpedia, Laura Jones (Texas)
Jessica Steinmann. Answered the Community Impact 2026 primary questionnaire and publishes an issues page. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey; her campaign declined a Texas Tribune interview request in July 2026.
Sources: Community Impact, Jan. 22, 2026, Ballotpedia, Jessica Steinmann, Texas Tribune via Houston Public Media, July 30, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Laura Jones. Houston Public Media lists her as Laura Jones of Coldspring; she formerly chaired the San Jacinto County Democratic Party. FEC by-state totals show about 98 percent of itemized individual contributions from Texas.
Sources: Houston Public Media, Dec. 10, 2025, Community Impact, Oct. 7, 2022, FEC contribution totals by state
Jessica Steinmann. A Conroe attorney who says she lives in Montgomery County, the district's base, and has served on the county Child Welfare Board. FEC by-state totals show about 77 percent of itemized individual contributions from Texas.
Sources: Houston Public Media, Dec. 10, 2025, Campaign site, About, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Laura Jones. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Jessica Steinmann. Directed the Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime, which administered nearly $9 billion in grants. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026 with no administrative fine.
Sources: Office of Justice Programs, archived biography, FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Laura Jones. No public record found.
Jessica Steinmann. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Laura Jones. No public record found.
Jessica Steinmann. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Laura Jones. No public record found.
Jessica Steinmann. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Laura Jones. No public record found.
Jessica Steinmann. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Laura Jones. No public record found.
Jessica Steinmann. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Texas's 8th Congressional District?
Jessica Steinmann has the strongest record in Texas's 8th Congressional District. Jessica Steinmann scores 59 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 6, 2026. Jessica Steinmann's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Laura Jones (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Texas's 8th Congressional District in 2026?
LAURA JONES (Democratic), JESSICA HART STEINMANN (Republican). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Laura Jones a good candidate for Congress?
Laura Jones has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Jessica Steinmann a good candidate for Congress?
Jessica Steinmann scores 59 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 65 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Texas race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Texas 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.