Keith Self versus Mark Newgent: Texas 3rd District Congressional Candidates
A look at the Republican candidates: Self's Sharia law focus versus Newgent's America - and Texas First
Context Corner examines the backgrounds, campaign priorities, key statements, and campaign focuses of the Republican candidates Keith Self and Mark Newgent, providing readers with an overview without endorsing or opposing either candidate.
Military veteran Self has held the hotseat since 3 January 2023, serving in the 118th (2023-2024) and 119th (2025-2026) Congresses.
Retired Army Captain Newgent’s campaign team is working hard to mount a solid challenge to Self, with his supporters raising money in the last few days.
Upon retiring from the Army, Keith was elected County Judge in Collin County, TX, in 2006. He served three consecutive terms before retiring in 2018.
Self’s campaign focus has been on federal spending, national security, border enforcement and driving the Sharia-Free America Caucus.
Newgent has prioritized fiscal responsibility, national security, affordability, and community accessibility. He has emphasized the need for cutting federal spending, reducing foreign conflict involvement, and improving affordability.
Self has focused on reducing regulations, addressing national debt, and strengthening the national defense.
When it comes to Community & Constituent Engagement, Self is leading the Sharia-Free America Caucus. Newgent has rejected rhetoric targeting Muslim Americans and promotes accessibility to all faith communities.
Newgent’s campaign is premised on affordability and alleviating economic pressures on the working class, framing it around inclusivity and grounded in the Constitution and the Republican Party’s future direction.
In recent times, Self, however, has focused on Sharia law and anti-Muslim-speak more than any other tangible policy.
“Chip Roy (TX-21) and I officially launched the Sharia Free America Caucus in the House of Representatives on 18 December 2025, an effort to counter the alarming rise of Sharia in the United States. Sharia is a dominating force that is not compatible with the U.S. Constitution,” Self said at the launch.
Self-positions himself as aligned with traditional conservative principles but has focused largely on the persecution of Muslims in Texas and the United States. Furthermore, based on OpenSecrets campaign finance data for the 2023-2024 election cycle, Representative Self has received contributions from the pro-Israel lobby.
The funds are categorized under “Pro-Israel” in OpenSecrets data, which includes individuals and political action committees (PACs) affiliated with AIPAC.
AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) does not directly contribute to candidates. Instead, money comes from individuals (employees or donors) and PACs affiliated with the pro-Israel lobby.
On 1 April 2025, The Guardian reported that Self provoked anger among Democrats by appearing to liken the Biden administration’s anti-disinformation efforts to steps by the Nazi to construct public opinion in 1930s Germany.
“A direct quote from Joseph Goebbels [the Nazi propaganda minister]: ‘It is the absolute right of the state to supervise the formation of public opinion,’ and I think that may be what we’re discussing here,” he said.
One of his constituents in McKinney who voted Republican, said he was not surprised that Self is absorbed by anti-Muslim rhetoric “because the Republican Party in Texas thinks they cannot get voters to come out unless there is fear..and they turned to the old enemy, Muslims”.
Keith Self
“Preserving the American way of life is essential to protecting civil liberties and upholding the United States Constitution. Sharia stands in direct opposition to our country and is totally anathema to the concept of individual freedom and our founding principles.”
Mark Newgent
I’m running to fight for affordability, secure borders, fiscal responsibility, strong support for veterans, and an America-First agenda that puts Texas families first. I’ve lived the struggle. I’ve served with honor. Now I’m ready to fight for you. Texas First. Fighting for You.
The primary elections will take place on March 3, 2026. In races where no candidate receives over 50% in a primary, runoff elections will take place on May 26.
The 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the thirty-eight U.S. representatives from the State of Texas, one from each of the state’s thirty-eight congressional districts.
The elections will coincide with other elections for the House of Representatives, the United States Senate, and various state and local offices.