Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
5%
24%
5%
Democrat
Terry Virts
TX-09 Democratic nominee?
$29.2K
MAR 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleNASA astronaut
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age58 years old (Dec 1, 1967)
GenderMale
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LocationTexas
BackgroundNASA astronaut
EducationUnited States Air Force Academy — B.S. in Mathematics (French minor) (1989)
Notable personal detailsTerry W. Virts Jr. is a former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Air Force colonel and test pilot. He served as pilot on Space Shuttle mission STS-130 (2010) and as commander of International Space Station Expedition 43 (2015). In 2026, he filed with the FEC as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Texas’s 9th congressional district.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govnasa.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgterryvirts.comspacefacts.dees.wikipedia.orgsos.texas.govdocquery.fec.govastronaut.rubiographs.orgnatengleague.netnewtools.cira.state.tx.uscapitolhillaccess.comalumni.hbs.edufamousbirthdays.comloc.govstreetforus.comtexasdemocrats.orguh.eduspace.commusic.amazon.intexastribune.orgksat.comnewsweek.comhoustonchronicle.comspectrumlocalnews.comcbsnews.comthestandupway.orgcongress.govepi.orgirssettlementsecrets.comterrysavage.comconvergencemag.comvermontbiz.compodscripts.co8kun.toparchyde.comfacebook.comprogresstexas.orghoustonpublicmedia.orgpunchbowl.newsnytimes.comkhou.comballotpedia.orgtexasstandard.orginstagram.comde.wikipedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgpt.wikipedia.orgfr.wikipedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate emphasizes making healthcare, groceries, and housing more affordable, supporting small businesses through reduced overregulation, opposing tariffs that hurt Texas workers, and rejects tax cuts for billionaires. He frames his economic approach around helping working Texans and opposing policies he describes as benefiting the wealthy at the expense of ordinary people.
Healthcare
Supports making healthcare more affordable and increasing access through practical reforms such as expanding the supply of doctors and medical residencies, offering free preventive care (mammograms, vaccines, screenings), and targeting cost inefficiencies. Positions emphasize pragmatic, government-enabled measures to broaden access rather than proposals for single-payer or full privatization.
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Immigration & Border
Supports legal immigration while opposing illegal immigration; advocates a “strong border” combined with treating immigrants with dignity and respect and focusing enforcement on criminal activity. Describes his approach as “common-sense immigration.”
Climate & Energy
Terry Virts has criticized federal cuts to weather and climate science and has said extreme flooding influenced his decision to run, but his campaign materials and public statements do not lay out specific climate or energy policy proposals such as emissions targets, clean-energy investment, or fossil-fuel transition plans.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Terry Virts is in the news as a candidate in the Texas 2026 U.S. Senate race, which is now described as tied in a recent poll. Democrats have also reported strong fundraising in the race, suggesting they are competitive even though the overall Senate map still looks difficult for them. More broadly, Texas primary turnout has been strong on the Democratic side, adding to the sense that the race could be close.
fec.gov+50
Articles
TNThe New York Times26 days ago
Republicans’ Home-Field Edge for Senate Seems Just Enough for Now
Neutral
MJMother Jones2 months ago
They’re All Ken Paxton Now
Neutral
AGAmarillo Globe-News4 months ago
Official says certified Texas 2026 primary election results coming soon
Neutral
NNewsweek4 months ago
Republicans Get Early Midterm Warning as Democratic Turnout Surges
Positive
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Texas Democratic Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Terry Virts for Texas Democratic Senate nominee?
Adam Kinzinger
Public figure
Adam Kinzinger endorsed Terry Virts in his race for Texas Congress.
Houston Chronicle Editorial Board
Public figure
Houston Chronicle Editorial Board endorsed Terry Virts in the Democratic primary for Texas's 9th Congressional District.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$665.4K
$499.1K
$332.7K
$166.4K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$665.4K
$2.9K
$454.2K
$25.2K
Source: FEC