Attorney Zack Dunn surfed the blue wave into the state capital Tuesday, defeating Republican incumbent Marc LaHood in the race for Texas House District 121.
A former U.S. Air Force attorney and Bexar County special victims prosecutor, Dunn will hold elected office for the first time. His victory gave Democrats one of at least six state House seats they flipped in the 2026 midterms, although the results for additional races are still being tallied.
“Since 1981, we have not had a Democrat sit in this seat,” Dunn told the Current. “What I think it means is it’s an opportunity for meaningful service. The district is looking for somebody to look at them, see them, hear them.”
Stretching from Alamo Heights to Bulverde, House District 121 represents some of San Antonio’s most affluent neighborhoods, with around half of the district’s households earning $100,000 or more annually.
LaHood was elected to represent the district in 2024. Gov. Greg Abbott backed the criminal defense attorney in that cycle’s GOP primary to retaliate against the seat’s previous occupant, Steve Allison, for voting against Abbott’s voucher program.
Dunn’s campaign centered on values shaped by his upbringing and work as a prosecutor in San Antonio. Supporting veterans’ health services, bolstering public education and strengthening the area’s workforce development are among his priorities.
Dunn’s watch party at the Quarry Golf Club was upbeat, while LaHood’s at the Angry Elephant was a solemn affair. Republicans in attendance seemed stunned that Democrats had captured not only HD 121 but also the governor’s mansion and the state’s contested U.S. Senate seat.
During his single term, LaHood voted in favor of Abbott’s statewide voucher program, which went into effect Sept. 1. He also opposed an amendment to a bill that would have allocated $6.5 billion in the state’s 2025-27 biennial budget to boost public school teachers’ salaries statewide.
Abbott’s school voucher program is projected to cost Texas public schools about $300 million this year in lost revenue. Public opposition to vouchers likely boosted Dunn’s campaign in addition to helping former Austin ISD trustee and current state Rep. Gina Hinojosa win the governor’s mansion.
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