Voters across the Texas Panhandle and West Texas will decide who represents them in the Texas Senate when Republican incumbent Kevin Sparks faces Democratic challenger John Betancourt in the November 3 general election.
The contest for Senate District 31 covers a vast stretch of Texas, including Amarillo, Midland, Odessa and numerous rural communities. From oil and gas production to public education and water shortages, the district faces challenges that will require attention in Austin.
While the candidates offer different approaches to those issues, Betancourt's history of driving while intoxicated arrests and an unresolved criminal case have also become part of the election story.
Kevin Sparks: Republican incumbent
Republican Kevin Sparks, a Midland businessman and longtime oil and gas executive, was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2022.
Sparks succeeded former Sen. Kel Seliger and has emphasized conservative fiscal policies, energy production, rural infrastructure and government accountability.
During his legislative tenure, Sparks has worked on mental health services, foster care reform, wildfire response and investments in reliable electricity generation.
At an October 12 debate hosted by Basin PBS, Sparks highlighted his legislative accomplishments, including efforts to establish mental health facilities in Amarillo and the Permian Basin.
Sparks also pointed to legislation addressing oilfield theft, water infrastructure and rural healthcare.
On education, Sparks supports expanding parental choice, including Texas' school voucher program. He argues families should have more options when deciding where their children attend school.
Sparks has also advocated property tax relief, government spending restraint and policies supporting the state's oil and gas industry.
John Betancourt: Democratic challenger
Democrat John Betancourt, an Amarillo resident, enters the race with experience in local education governance.
Betancourt previously served on the Amarillo Independent School District Board of Trustees and currently holds a seat on the Amarillo College Board of Regents.
His campaign focuses on strengthening public schools, expanding healthcare access, improving infrastructure and supporting working families.
Betancourt opposes diverting public education funding toward private school vouchers and argues Texas should do more to improve teacher pay and classroom resources.
He also supports strengthening rural healthcare services and investing in water, broadband and energy infrastructure.
During the October debate, Betancourt emphasized cooperation across party lines and the need to keep young people and working families in West Texas.
Betancourt's DWI history and ongoing legal troubles
Betancourt's campaign has also faced scrutiny over his history of driving while intoxicated arrests, including a January 2026 arrest that resulted in disciplinary action by the Amarillo College Board of Regents.
Betancourt was arrested January 2 on a charge listed as driving while intoxicated, second offense.
The arrest was the latest in a series of DWI-related incidents involving Betancourt, whose history of arrests dates back to 2012.
Following the January arrest, the Amarillo College Board of Regents suspended Betancourt from board committee assignments.
The college's January 26 meeting agenda confirmed that his suspension created a vacancy in the board's vice chair position. The agenda called for selecting a replacement pending the final resolution of Betancourt's criminal matter.
The legal case took another turn in October.
On October 7, a Randall County judge approved attorney Ryan Brown's request to withdraw from representing Betancourt.
Brown stated in court filings that Betancourt had failed to meet agreed-upon financial obligations and that the attorney had been unable to contact him.
The withdrawal came less than a month before Election Day.
Following the October 12 debate, Betancourt confirmed that he remained suspended from Amarillo College committee duties and that his legal case was still ongoing.
The pending charge has not been established as a conviction.
Where the candidates differ
Education remains one of the clearest policy differences.
Sparks supports school choice and argues that parents should have greater influence over educational decisions. Betancourt favors additional investment in traditional public schools and opposes the state's voucher approach.
Healthcare is another point of disagreement. Betancourt emphasizes expanding access and funding services, while Sparks focuses on spending oversight and improving existing programs.
Both candidates support the region's energy economy, although Betancourt also emphasizes renewable energy development and Sparks prioritizes dependable electricity generation and the oil and gas industry.
On property taxes, both acknowledge the need for relief but disagree about balancing lower taxes with funding essential public services.
Election Day approaches
With early voting running October 19–30, District 31 voters have an opportunity to compare the candidates' legislative priorities, professional backgrounds and public records.
Sparks is asking voters to give him another term representing West Texas, while Betancourt hopes to bring his experience in education to the state Capitol.
The election will determine who represents the district for the next four years as lawmakers confront continuing challenges involving education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure.
