Shiloh Salazar

Shiloh Salazar (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 72. Salazar is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. Salazar advanced from the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Shiloh Salazar a mom, advocate, small business owner, and lifelong West Texan running for Texas House District 72. I believe our policies should reflect the realities of rural families, not corporate interests or political talking points. I’ve spent years organizing, advocating, and showing up for my community, from public schools and early childhood programs to water security, agriculture, healthcare access, and economic stability. As a former educator and parent of a child with special needs, I’ve seen firsthand where our systems fail families and working people. I’m running to protect public schools, invest in rural healthcare, strengthen agriculture, plan responsibly for our water future, and support families through policies like paid family leave and affordable childcare. This campaign is about progress rooted in West Texas. Practical, people-first solutions that put our communities ahead of politics.

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?

Strengthening Public Education & Early Childhood Systems

Texas cannot succeed without strong public schools and early childhood systems that support both children and the workforce. I support fully funding public education, increasing teacher pay and retention efforts, reducing reliance on high stakes testing, and opposing policies that divert public dollars away from neighborhood schools. I also advocate for expanding early childhood investments like Early Head Start, early intervention services, and accessible Pre-K so families can work while children receive the support they need to thrive. Education policy must reflect real classroom conditions, especially in rural districts.Expanding Healthcare Access for Rural and Working Families

Too many Texans, especially in rural communities, fall into coverage gaps that leave families uninsured and hospitals struggling to stay open. I support expanding Medicaid coverage, strengthening rural healthcare delivery models, and investing in preventative and early intervention services that lower long term costs. My advocacy includes federal work around Medicaid, early intervention, and paid family and medical leave, all of which help stabilize families and the workforce. Healthcare policy should be practical, fiscally responsible, and centered on keeping communities healthy and economically stable.Supporting Workers, Families & Rural Infrastructure

Texas’s economy depends on workers, yet wages, workplace protections, and family supports have not kept pace with rising costs. I support policies that strengthen worker protections, improve workplace safety, and invest in paid family and medical leave so families are not forced to choose between health and income. For rural Texas, this also includes investing in water sustainability, emergency services, and infrastructure that keeps communities viable. I believe strong labor, stable families, and resilient rural systems are essential to Texas’s long term success.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

There is no part of public policy that I am not passionate about, because public policy affects every one of us whether we choose to engage with it or not. As the child of two public servants who served on their respective boards, I grew up around unions and learned early the importance of worker rights, safety, and collective advocacy. That exposure shaped my understanding of how policy decisions impact real people.

My interest deepened through high school debate, where I saw firsthand how deeply politics influences nearly every aspect of daily life. Later, when I ran for County Commissioner, I entered the race without extensive knowledge of transportation policy, but through that process I gained a clear understanding of how local govern