Democrat · Texas's 17th District · 2026
Casey Shepard
Shepard spends free time at his family's Hill County farm and cheering on his niece and nephew at games and recitals.
Biography
Casey Shepard’s family farm near Abbott in Hill County has been part of his family’s life since his grandfather settled there in 1939.1 His parents and sister’s family still live on that farm, and he is a seventh generation Texan.1 He spends free time there and at his niece and nephew’s games and recitals, alongside following current events.1
Shepard graduated from Midway High School near Waco in 1999, where he participated in policy debate.1 A debate scholarship took him to college in California, and he stayed there for law school before returning to Waco in 2010 to be closer to family.1 He graduated from the University of California, Davis School of Law in 2007.2
His campaign describes legal work in Central Texas beginning in 2011, focused on criminal defense for people who cannot afford lawyers.1 His campaign proposes stronger congressional checks on executive power, independent judicial review and closer scrutiny of federal agency leadership, making government accountability a central part of his platform.3
He faces Republican incumbent Pete Sessions in November.4 Shepard advocates fully funding nutrition assistance and school meals, strengthening Medicaid and Medicare, and expanding access to medical professionals.3 His housing agenda includes tax incentives for affordable construction, rental assistance, changes to tariffs on building materials and immigration rules allowing trained foreign construction workers to work legally.3
Record and controversies
Administrative license eligibility
The State Bar's October 26, 2026 ineligibility list identifies Shepard's Waco bar number under the code for default in payment of membership fees.5 His public profile, checked October 29, describes an administrative suspension and ineligibility to practice in Texas, while separately reporting no public disciplinary history.2 The listing does not state when the fee default began or provide a response from him.5