In a race that drew national attention, Republican agriculture lobbyist Tom Sell is projected to win the open seat in Texas' 19th Congressional District, according to preliminary results from Decision Desk HQ. Sell will succeed outgoing Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), who announced his retirement last November after serving since 2017.
Sell, who campaigned on his deep ties to the district's agricultural economy, defeated Democratic opponent Kyle Rable in the solidly Republican area. The district, which hugs the Texas-New Mexico border and includes Lubbock and Abilene, has long been a GOP stronghold, making Sell's victory widely anticipated.
The win was bolstered by a powerful slate of endorsements, including from former President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). These endorsements underscored Sell's alignment with the party's conservative base and his promise to carry forward Arrington's legislative priorities.
Sell's background is rooted in the district's agricultural heartland. He previously served as a top aide to former Rep. Larry Combest (R-Texas), who chaired the House Agriculture Committee. According to Sell's campaign website, he was Combest's "right-hand man" during that period, helping shape farm policy.
After helping advance the 2002 Farm Bill, Sell returned to Lubbock and co-founded Combest, Sell & Associates in 2005. The consulting firm has spent over 15 years "defending agricultural interests," as its website notes. The firm also highlights its role in protecting the agricultural baseline during the 2005 Budget Reconciliation Process, an effort that "was ultimately very successful."
Arrington, who took credit for helping pass Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill legislation, said his retirement came at a natural point. "It just seems like a good and right place to leave it," he told Fox News last year, explaining his decision to step away from Congress.
Sell's victory is part of a broader Republican effort to maintain control in Texas, where several open seats and competitive races are unfolding. For more on the state's political landscape, see our coverage of Texas' 2026 House results and the Texas Senate race.
As Sell prepares to take office, he is expected to focus on agricultural policy, rural economic development, and continuing the conservative agenda that has defined the district. With Trump's endorsement and strong GOP backing, Sell is poised to be a reliable vote for the party's priorities in Washington.
