Texas has another fighter stepping into the arena. On May 30, 2025, Rhonda Ward, an eighth-generation Texan and seasoned business leader, announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for Texas Senate District 3. Ward’s decision to run comes at a time when Texans are demanding representatives who will put Texas first, and her signing of the Texas First Pledge demonstrates exactly that commitment.
Ward isn’t just another politician looking for a title. She’s a woman who has built her life in East Texas, running East Texas Appraisal Services for over 35 years as both owner and lead appraiser. Her expertise in real estate and property tax consulting gives her firsthand knowledge of one of the most pressing issues facing Texas families today – the crushing burden of property taxes.
“As Senator, I will fight to significantly reduce property taxes with the goal of one day completely alleviating the burden on Texas families,” Ward declared in her announcement.
A Voice the People Can Trust
Ward’s connection to Senate District 3 runs deeper than political ambition. She has traveled hundreds of miles throughout each of the district’s eighteen counties – Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Houston, Jasper, Liberty, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, and a portion of Jefferson County – meeting with people and listening to their concerns.
What she’s hearing should sound familiar to anyone paying attention to what’s happening across Texas. Families are struggling with safety concerns, property taxes that never seem to stop rising, insurance rates that are driving people out of their homes, and the need for policies that create real economic security rather than more government dependence.
Ward brings more than talk to the table. As a certified real estate appraiser and property tax consultant, she understands the mechanics of how property taxes work and how they can be reduced. When she promises to fight for property tax relief, she’s not making empty campaign promises – she’s speaking from decades of professional experience.
Conservative Leadership in Action
Ward’s track record speaks to her commitment to conservative principles. As the State Republican Executive Committeewoman for Senate District 3 and past president of the Nacogdoches County Republican Women, she’s done more than hold titles. Under her leadership, the Nacogdoches County Republican Women more than doubled in membership, growing from 45 to over 110 members.
Her community involvement extends far beyond politics. Ward has organized events like the Blueberry Festival, County Fair, and Freedom Fest, showing the kind of hands-on leadership that builds communities rather than just political careers. Currently serving as chair of the Nacogdoches Zoning Board of Adjustment, she has also chaired the Nacogdoches County Appraisal Review Board and served on the Nacogdoches County Board of Realtors.
“I am a conservative, and I will lead like one for Senate District 3,” Ward stated. In an era when conservative often means nothing more than a campaign slogan, Ward’s record demonstrates that her conservatism isn’t just for show.
Texas First Values
Ward’s signing of the Texas First Pledge places her squarely in the camp of those who believe Texas should come first in the decisions made by Texas representatives. This commitment aligns with the growing movement of Texans who are tired of watching their representatives prioritize everything except the interests of the people who elected them.
The Texas First Pledge represents a simple but powerful idea – that Texas legislators should put Texas and Texans first in every decision they make. For too long, Texans have watched their representatives get to Austin or Washington and forget who sent them there and why.
Ward’s platform reflects Texas First principles through and through. Her focus on limited-government policies that reduce regulation and create jobs rather than government dependency shows she understands that Texas thrives when government gets out of the way of the Texas spirit.
Deep Texas Roots
Ward’s personal story reinforces her connection to the values that built Texas. Born and raised in Nacogdoches, she graduated from Center High School, where she met her high school sweetheart, Jason. They married and built a life together that lasted 44 years until Jason’s passing in 2024. Together, they raised two sons and are grandparents to five grandchildren.
These aren’t just biographical details. They represent the Texas values of family, commitment, and building something lasting that can be passed down to the next generation. Ward’s eighth-generation Texas heritage means she understands that we are not just caretakers of what we inherited – we have a responsibility to leave Texas stronger for those who come after us.
The Battle Ahead
Ward faces the challenge of taking on incumbent Senator Robert Nichols, who has represented District 3 since 2007. While Nichols has been recognized by various business organizations, Ward brings a fresh perspective that emphasizes grassroots engagement and the kind of business acumen that comes from building something with your own hands rather than managing government programs.
The 2026 Republican primary, scheduled for March, will give voters in Senate District 3 the opportunity to choose between continuing with business as usual or electing someone who has signed on to put Texas first.
“I know the battle ahead, and I am prepared to win for a stronger, conservative future for Senate District 3 and its constituents,” Ward concluded in her announcement.
Texas needs more representatives who understand that their job is to serve Texas and Texans, not to advance their own political careers or please special interests outside our borders. Rhonda Ward’s candidacy represents exactly the kind of Texas First leadership that can help secure a stronger future for our state.
