Candidates facing off in two of South Texas’ most anticipated Texas House races will participate in back-to-back debates moderated by the San Antonio Report.
The Oct. 8 debates between Texas House District 121 candidates Marc LaHood (R) and Laurel Jordan Swift (D), and District 118 candidates incumbent Rep. John Lujan (R-San Antonio) and challenger Kristian Carranza (D), are being hosted in conjunction with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
The South Side’s House District 118 will be one of the most hard-fought races of the fall according to both parties’ top operatives — a rarity after redistricting has left hardly any truly competitive districts.
Lujan flipped the seat for Republicans in a 2021 special election, and now must defend a district President Joe Biden carried — with a legislative record that now includes siding with Gov. Greg Abbott on a plan to create school vouchers. His opponent, progressive political organizer Kristian Carranza, has been raising the money that was sorely missing from her predecessor’s race.

Northside House District 121 has made many headlines during the primary, after LaHood upset state House Rep. Steve Allison (R-Alamo Heights) — part of Abbott’s campaign to rid the party of members who oppose vouchers. Without Allison, Democrats will once again make a play for the seat, this time with political newcomer Laurel Jordan Swift.
The House District 121 debate will be moderated by the San Antonio Report’s editor in chief Leigh Munsil, and the House District 118 debate will be moderated by government and politics reporter Andrea Drusch.
Registration is now open to attend the debates in person at the Estancia del Norte, and you can submit a question in advance during registration or by email at hello@sareport.org.
Andrea Drusch contributed to this report.