Sandy Ibanez, a Democrat, is running for Texas House District 28 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Gary Gates, a Republican, is also running for the seat.

Asked why she is running, Ibanez said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am running to represent Texas House District 28 because our communities deserve a state representative who puts people over politics and listens to the people they serve … My upbringing in a working-class, single-parent household shaped my belief that opportunity should not depend on your ZIP code or circumstances."

Candidate information

Party: Democratic

Family: Ibanez said in our questionnaire: "I am the eldest of three Daughters and the very proud Aunt of a Niece and Nephew! I am a lifelong Fort Bend County resident and a fifth-generation Texan. I grew up in a working-class, single-parent household where my family relied at times on food assistance, public programs, and support from local churches and nonprofits."

Education: Ibanez said in our questionnaire: "I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management & Entrepreneurship from the University of Houston C.T. Bauer College of Business and the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship in May 2008. I earned an MBA from Western Governors University in January 2024. I also completed the Rice University Advanced Management Program."

Previous elected office: Ibanez said in our questionnaire: "I have not previously held elected public office or been appointed to a government office."

Experience and public service

Ibanez described her work history in our questionnaire: "I am a public school teacher and a commercial real estate professional. I previously taught fifth-grade Reading, Writing and Social Studies in Fort Bend ISD from 2019-2022, including working with Spanish-speaking newcomers and using Schoology for online instruction during the pandemic. I have served as Vice President of Operations for a FinTech start-up firm, overseeing staff, vendors, compliance and operational reporting."

Asked what accomplishments prepare her for the role, Ibanez said: "In executive and operations leadership, I managed teams, budgets, compliance, vendors, and complex day-to-day challenges while working across departments to solve problems. In public education, I work with diverse learners, including bilingual and immigrant children, while navigating state standards and advocating for students."

Ibanez said she also founded two women's networking and mentorship groups, according to her campaign website.

Her endorsements include Annie's List, Texas American Federation of Teachers, Texas Progressive Caucus, AFL-CIO and Asian American Democrats of Texas, according to her campaign and BallotReady.

On the issues

Education: Ibanez said on her campaign website that she supports fair funding for public schools, support for teachers and investment in school safety. She also said she supports expanding apprenticeships and career and technical education.

Property taxes and affordability: Ibanez said she would "work to make life more affordable for Texas families by supporting fair and transparent property taxes and addressing rising auto and home insurance costs."

Infrastructure: Ibanez said she would push for "safer roads, stronger flood control, expanded broadband access, and reliable power systems that protect families and businesses during severe weather."

Healthcare: Ibanez said she would "advocate for expanding access to healthcare, mental health care, family planning and community support services."

Asked about the best advice she ever received, Ibanez quoted the saying "To whom much is given, much is expected" and said in our questionnaire: "My family and I received help through programs like food assistance and government services, and through churches and nonprofits that helped with school supplies, clothing, and Christmas gifts. Pell Grants and FAFSA made it possible for me and my sisters to attend college without taking on student debt … That experience taught me that when someone invests in you, you have a responsibility to make the most of that opportunity and, in turn, invest in others."

The district includes parts of Fulshear.