Dennis Paul, a Republican who has represented Texas House District 129 since 2015, is running for Texas State Senate District 11 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Shannon Dicely, a Democrat, is also running for the seat.

Asked why he is seeking the office, Paul said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am seeking election to the Texas Senate because decisions made in Austin directly affect our families, livelihoods, and communities. Senate District 11 needs an experienced conservative who understands those responsibilities and is prepared to act."

Paul said he wants to "bring that experience to the Senate to keep taxes low, defend individual liberty and parental rights, and keep government focused on its core responsibilities."

Candidate information

Party: "Republican," Paul said in our questionnaire.

Education: "University of Houston, bachelor's degree and Master of Science in Civil Engineering," he said in our questionnaire.

Family: "My wife, Eliza, and our daughter. I am grateful for their love and support," according to Paul's questionnaire response.

Occupation: "Paul Engineering Inc., Engineer and small business owner," Paul said in our questionnaire. According to his Texas House biography, Paul founded Paul Engineering Inc. in Webster in January 2002. He is a licensed professional engineer.

Paul graduated from South Houston High School in 1979 and also attended San Jacinto Junior College, according to his House biography. He received the Cullen College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Houston.

Experience and public service

Elected office: "Texas State Representative, House District 129, 2015 to present," Paul said in our questionnaire.

In the Texas House, Paul has served on the Transportation Committee and the Insurance Committee, according to his House biography. He served as treasurer of the House Republican Caucus and vice-chair of the Permanent Standing Sub-Committee on Transportation Funding. He also founded and chaired the Texas Legislative Aerospace Caucus.

Before entering the Legislature, Paul worked as a design engineer at CBM Engineers from 1988 to 1995 and as a project manager at Carter & Burgess from 1995 to 2002, according to BallotReady.

On the issues

What sets him apart: Asked about the differences between himself and other candidates, Paul said in our questionnaire: "I bring more than a decade of legislative experience and a record voters can evaluate. Since 2015, I have worked to protect taxpayers, strengthen public safety, support our economy, and address the Gulf Coast's unique challenges." He added that his "experience as an engineer and small business owner also shapes how I approach legislation. I look closely at the problem, weigh the costs, and focus on practical solutions."

Accomplishments: Paul cited his work on coastal protection in our questionnaire: "I supported efforts to advance the Galveston Bay Storm Surge Protection Barrier, including the creation of the Gulf Coast Protection District in 2021 and stronger coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on critical coastal protection infrastructure." He also said he "founded and chaired the Texas Legislative Aerospace Caucus and have worked to strengthen Ellington Spaceport and Texas' aerospace industry."

Property taxes: According to his campaign website, Paul is "committed to expanding compression, raising the homestead exemption, and ultimately eliminating school property taxes while keeping schools funded." The campaign website also states he supports "revamping our property tax burden for school funds, helping fund our schools with sales tax proceeds and lowering our district's property tax rate."

Flooding and infrastructure: Paul's campaign website states that in the Senate he would continue "fighting for regional flood control, stronger drainage systems, smarter infrastructure investments, and long term coastal resilience for the Gulf Coast."

Endorsements: Paul has received endorsements from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, as reported by The Texan, as well as the Houston Police Officers' Union, Harris County GOP, Texas Alliance for Life, Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC and the National Federation of Independent Business in Texas, according to BallotReady.

Best advice: Asked about the best advice he ever received, Paul said in our questionnaire: "Do the right thing, even when it is not the easy thing."