Shannon Dicely

Shannon Dicely (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Texas State Senate to represent District 11. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. She advanced from the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability - The Texas economy is currently ranked #2 in the country by US News and World Report. However, that same report ranked Texas opportunity at #48. This means an unaffordable cost of living, too many people–especially children–that are going hungry, and tax policies that put the burden on the middle class. What good does a top performing economy do if the average Texan has to choose between buying groceries or filling a prescription? We must increase minimum wage, expand workforce training opportunities, and address insurance rates that are pricing everyday Texans out of the American Dream. Our economic opportunities should match our economic potential.Public Education - Our public education system has been attacked strategically for decades. Texas consistently underfunds its schools to purposefully set them up to fail. Our legislators then propose schemes like vouchers under the guise that Texas public schools are second-rate. It is time we fulfill the promise of our state constitution and fully fund our schools. We must raise the per student allotment and give teachers and staff the significant pay raise and benefits they deserve. I am committed to listening to educators to create and pass legislation that helps them in tangible ways.Healthcare - Although some of the nation's top-ranked hospitals are located in and near this district, Texas leads the nation in people without health insurance. In addition, the maternal and infant mortality rates are higher than the national average. Statistics for our residents should match the reputation of our hospitals–we should be leading the nation in healthcare. We must expand access to health insurance at the state level by expanding Medicaid. Without doing so, everyone’s insurance rates will continue to skyrocket as hospitals navigate paying for the uninsured.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Voting Rights - In recent years, there has been an attack on our democratic system, leaving citizens less confident in elections. Laws in Texas have focused on voter fraud which rarely occurs. Our laws instead should focus on strengthening our democracy by addressing election fraud and making voting easier and more accessible to all eligible voters. We must repeal voter suppression laws, expand online voter registration and mail-in ballot access, and legislate non-partisan drawing of election maps to ensure that voters are selecting their representatives and not the other way around.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Run Sister Run, Sherrie Matula, Jon Rosenthal