KEEP
CALIFORNIA
OUT OF TEXAS.
Before you vote in the May 26 run-off, you deserve to know who Ge'Nell Gary is — where she came from, what she stood for, and why the timeline doesn't add up.
She built her entire political career in one of the most progressive regions in America. Now she's asking Texas Republicans to send her to Congress.
— The question every Texas voter should be asking
Ge'Nell Gary — TX-37 Republican Run-Off Candidate
"Putting on a cowboy hat does not make you a Texan."
— What Texas voters are saying
Ge'Nell Gary was born in Texas — but she left to California. For years, she built her political career in Albany, California, a city deep in the San Francisco Bay Area as a progressive Democrat.
She governed there as a mayor. She resigned there in the middle of her term.
THEN SHE CAME BACK TO TEXAS AND IMMEDIATELY ENTERED A REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY.
The Background
Who Is Ge'Nell Gary?
Ge'Nell Gary was born in Texas — but she left to California. For years, she built her political career in Albany, California, a city deep in the San Francisco Bay Area as a progressive Democrat.
She governed there as a mayor. She was elected to the Albany City Council, rose to serve as Mayor, and was appointed to the Social & Economic Justice Commission and community police oversight bodies. She advanced the policy priorities of one of the most progressive governing ecosystems in the United States.
She resigned there in the middle of her term. No public explanation. No documented reason. She simply left — mid-term — and walked away from the community she was elected to serve.
THEN SHE CAME BACK TO TEXAS AND IMMEDIATELY ENTERED A REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY.
The question isn't whether people can change. The question is: what actually changed — and what didn't?
Albany, California — Where She Governed
The Record
The Timeline That Raises Questions
- ▸Born and raised in Wharton, Texas
- ▸Leaves Texas — heads west to California
- ▸Settles in Albany, California — a city deep in the San Francisco Bay Area
- ▸Elected to Albany City Council
- ▸Rises to serve as Mayor of Albany
- ▸Appointed to Social & Economic Justice Commission
- ▸Appointed to community police oversight groups
- ▸Advances equity-focused, government-led policy frameworks
Albany, CA sits in Alameda County — one of the most progressive governing ecosystems in the United States.
- ▸Resigns from Albany City Council before completing her term
- ▸Departs California political career without explanation
She left mid-term. No documented reason was ever publicly given.
- ▸Moves back to Texas — specifically to Austin
- ▸Quickly re-enters public life through Austin-area commissions
- ▸Begins engaging in Texas Republican political circles
California to Texas Republican politics — in under 12 months.
- ▸Enters Republican primary for U.S. Congress (TX-37)
- ▸Total fundraising: ~$3,900
- ▸Advances messaging of 'economic growth' and 'conservative values'
She raised $3,900 for a congressional race — while Lauren raised $109K from Texas grassroots donors.
Gary's Total Fundraising
For a U.S. Congressional race
Lauren's Total Fundraising
Grassroots Texas small-dollar donors
The Fundraising Gap
Lauren has 28x more donor support
Side by Side
Gary vs Lauren: The Real Contrast
Ge'Nell Gary
Your Opponent
Lauren B. Peña
Texas Conservative
Political Home Base
Albany, CA — San Francisco Bay Area
Austin, TX — born, raised, and fighting for Texas families
Policy Record
Social & Economic Justice Commission, police oversight, equity-first governance
America First: faith, family, freedom, border security, constitutional conservatism
Campaign Funding
~$3,900 raised
$109,489 raised — grassroots Texas small-dollar donors
Texas Track Record
No Texas legislative history. No Texas policy record.
Austin resident. Mother of six. Survivor. Fighting for this community for years.
Reason for Running
Moved from California → resigned mid-term → returned to Texas → entered GOP primary in under 12 months
Has lived the consequences of failed Austin leadership. Running to fix it.
Before You Vote
5 Questions Every Texas Voter
Should Be Asking
If she built her entire political career inside a deep-blue California system — what beliefs did she actually govern by?
She resigned from the Albany City Council before completing her term. Why?
She raised $3,900. In a congressional race. Who is funding the rest?
She went from Bay Area progressive governance to Texas Republican primary in under a year. What changed — and what didn't?
Texas CD-37 needs a fighter who has lived here, suffered here, and is fighting for this community. Does that describe Ge'Nell Gary?
Texas Deserves a
Texas Candidate.
Lauren B. Peña was born here, raised her family here, survived here, and has been fighting for Austin families long before she ever ran for office.
The run-off is May 26, 2026. The choice is clear.
All information on this page is sourced from publicly available FEC filings, official campaign disclosures, city council records, and news reporting. No unverified claims are made.