DR. SULEMAN LALANI WINS REELECTION TO TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 76
Houston, Texas | November 3–4, 2026 | Election Night Report
Reported By Tariq Nehal Khan
Pakistan Chronicle Weekly News | South Asian Chronicle | The Pakistan Journal | DesiTVUSA | Desi Urdu TV | DTVNN
FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS — Dr. Suleman Lalani, the Democratic incumbent, has won reelection to the Texas House of Representatives, District 76, defeating Republican challenger Linda Howell in the November 3, 2026 general election. Unofficial returns showed Lalani winning by roughly two to one, with about two-thirds of the vote, in a Fort Bend County district he has represented since 2023. The victory gives the physician and Pakistani-born lawmaker a third term in Austin.
Unofficial Election Results
According to unofficial returns, Lalani received about 66 to 67 percent of the vote to Howell’s roughly 33 to 34 percent. Published tallies varied slightly as counting continued, and one update from an election-results tracker reported 81.3 percent of expected votes counted, so exact vote totals are not included here. Early voting and absentee returns released earlier in the evening had also shown Lalani leading by about two to one, as Democrats led in Fort Bend County early results.
| Candidate | Party | Result | Approx. share |
| Dr. Suleman Lalani (incumbent) | Democratic | Winner | About 66–67% |
| Linda Howell | Republican | About 33–34% |
Unofficial results, November 4 reporting. Figures remain subject to canvassing and certification.
A Physician in the Legislature
Lalani immigrated to the United States from Pakistan in the early 1990s to begin his medical career, and he has continued practicing medicine while serving in the Legislature. He first ran for the Texas House in 2020, an unsuccessful bid, and won the newly drawn District 76 seat in November 2022 with about 57 percent of the vote over Republican Dan Mathews. His win that year coincided with that of Salman Bhojani in House District 92 in Tarrant County, and the two were reported to be among the first Muslim immigrants elected to the Texas Legislature.
Lalani was reelected in 2024, defeating Republican Lea Simmons with about 56.5 percent of the vote. He is based in Sugar Land.
The Road to November
- March 3, 2026 Democratic primary: Lalani defeated Marie Baptiste with about 54 percent of the vote.
- Republican primary: Howell, a Realtor, businesswoman and longtime civic leader, won the nomination, finishing well ahead of Christian Amuta and Lea Simmons.
- November 3, 2026 general election: Lalani won reelection to a third term.
Statewide Context
Lalani’s victory came on a night of historic results in Texas. Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, according to The Associated Press, becoming the first Democrat elected governor of Texas since Ann Richards. Democrat James Talarico also won the U.S. Senate race over Republican Ken Paxton, and in Harris County, Dr. Letitia Plummer was elected county judge.
What This Victory Means
Lalani’s reelection means continued representation for the diverse communities of District 76 in Fort Bend County, one of the most ethnically diverse areas of Texas, including South Asian, Muslim American and Pakistani American residents who followed the race closely. As a practicing doctor, he brings a medical perspective to debates over healthcare, public health and the cost of living at the Capitol.
He now returns to Austin for the next legislative session as part of a Democratic caucus energized by the party’s statewide showing.
Report based on election-night reporting and unofficial returns, November 4, 2026. Prepared for Pakistan Chronicle Weekly News, South Asian Chronicle News and DesiTVUSA
