Denise Villalobos

In 2024, Villalobos ran for the Texas House of Representatives in the 34th district where incumbent Democrat Abel Herrero was retiring. She was unopposed in the Republican primary and faced Democrat Solomon Ortiz Jr., who previously served as a state representative from 2006 to 2011, in the general election.^[1] On her website, Villalobos pleged to "fight for increased funding for our teachers and local schools" and did not emphasize her pro-school voucher views; the American Federation for Children Growth Fund’s political action committee further paid for attack ads against Ortiz.^[5] She held a financial advantage over Ortiz and outraised him 4–1 in October.^[6] On election night, she defeated him with 55% of the vote and flipped the seat, with the Austin American-Statesman calling Ortiz's defeat "among the most stinging for Democrats."^[7]

In 2025, Villalobos testified in support of a bill which would direct the Nueces County Hospital District to administer a grant program to recruit physicians and decrease patient wait times, which a study showed were higher than the national average— the bill was not supported by the hospital district due to language which would divert funds from its mission of indigent care. Villalobos stated an amended version would be introduced to solve this concern however the bill never made it through the legislative process.^[8]

Villalobos and her husband, Ruben, are foster parents who adopted their child.^[9]