By Mark Archibald
The campaign between Texas Representative Cody Harris and challenger Daniel Hunt has heated up in the last few months.
Dan Hunt, Candidate for Texas House District 8 Representative
Cody Harris, Current Incumbent for Texas House District 08 Representative
Harris and Hunt are vying to represent District 8 in the Texas House. The district includes Navarro, Anderson, and Cherokee Counties, along with two thirds of Henderson County.
The two recently attended the same candidate forum in Athens, though according to his campaign, Harris was late to the event due to a previously scheduled commitment.
Hunt, a lawyer, who has most recently served as Henderson County’s GOP Chairman, said, “I’m running because the people of House District 8 deserve a legislator who will show up and listen to constituents.”
Hunt said one of the reasons he decided to challenge Harris was because of the way Harris treated voters during a February 2025, Town Hall.
Harris cut that education town hall short citing rude behavior by some in the audience.
Harris wrote about that town hall early in a March 1, 2025, social media post, “Unfortunately, some in the crowd chose to disrupt the conversation, turning it into a Palestinian-style protest that drowned out voices meant to inform, engage, and debate in good faith.”
Harris continued, “Those who came to listen, learn, and respectfully express their positions were met with yelling, name-calling, and chaos.”
During this month’s candidate forum in Henderson County, Harris referenced 2025, town hall. “A lot of the people who were annoyed that night were Democrats,” he said.
Democrats may be among those annoyed with Harris, who was first elected in 2019, but Republicans and Independents around the district are also voicing their anger at the incumbent Representative.
“The school voucher bill won’t do what it was intended to do, or help those who need the help,” said Hunt.
Both men said they would prioritize protecting Texans water rights.
Harris highlighted a bill he authored, which required the Texas Water Development Board to study the effects on the groundwater usage in East Texas.
Hunt said that he would focus on amending the rule of capture law in Texas.
“We need to protect our water, by limiting how much can be used,” he said.
Hunt also indicated one aspect of the legislation he would seek would be to address how far water can be taken from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer.
Harris and Hunt have limited time remaining to reach out to voters.
Early voting opens across Texas on Feb. 17. The Primary Election Day is March 3.
