Cody Harris
RepublicanState Representative
Cody Harris serves as State Representative for Texas House of Representatives District 8. This RepWatchr starter profile is sourced from official Texas Legislature profile data and OpenStates public records.
Red Flags (4)
Property rights stance tested by pipeline and eminent domain votes
Despite campaigning strongly on protecting private property rights and opposing eminent domain abuse, Rep. Harris's voting record on eminent domain reform legislation has not always matched his rhetoric. He has received campaign contributions from energy companies that use eminent domain for pipeline easements through rural East Texas land in his district.
Why It Matters
Landowners in Nacogdoches, Rusk, Panola, and Shelby counties face real eminent domain threats from pipeline companies. When a representative campaigns on property rights but receives money from companies using eminent domain, constituents should scrutinize whether their interests are truly being protected.
Campaign funding from energy and timber industries with local impact
Campaign finance reports show Rep. Harris has received significant contributions from energy and timber industry PACs and executives. These industries have substantial operations in HD-8 and regularly have business before the legislature, including regulatory, tax, and land use matters.
Why It Matters
Energy and timber companies are the economic backbone of HD-8, but they also have interests that can conflict with those of individual landowners and communities. Voters should be aware of these financial relationships when evaluating their representative's votes on industry regulation.
Rural broadband and healthcare access remain unaddressed
Rep. Harris has listed rural broadband expansion and healthcare access as campaign priorities since 2019. However, HD-8 remains one of the most underserved districts in Texas for both broadband connectivity and healthcare access, with hospital closures and provider shortages persisting throughout the district.
Why It Matters
Rural East Texans in HD-8 face some of the longest drive times to hospitals and worst internet connectivity in the state. These are not new problems, and voters should evaluate whether their representative has made meaningful legislative progress after multiple terms of promises.
Voted with House leadership on controversial school voucher push
Rep. Harris supported the House leadership's school choice legislation despite significant opposition from rural school districts in his district. Superintendents in Nacogdoches, Shelby, and Rusk counties publicly warned that voucher programs could devastate small district budgets that depend on per-pupil funding.
Why It Matters
In HD-8, public schools are often the heart of rural communities and the largest local employer. Directing public education funding toward private alternatives could threaten both educational quality and the economic stability of small East Texas towns.
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Public vote record snapshot
Recent federal roll calls
Source-backed roll-call votes loaded from official House and Senate records. These are not automatically scored left or right until issue mapping is reviewed.
120
Votes loaded
2
Yea
0
Nay
0
Present
118
Not voting
house roll 4171 | 2025-06-02
SB 293
SB 293 | 114 Yeas, 26 Nays, 4 Present, not voting
house roll 4170 | 2025-06-02
SUSPEND ALL NECESSARY RULES
SUSPEND ALL NECESSARY RULES | 127 Yeas, 15 Nays, 1 Present, not voting
house roll 4170 | 2025-06-02
SUSPEND ALL NECESSARY RULES
SUSPEND ALL NECESSARY RULES | 127 Yeas, 15 Nays, 1 Present, not voting
house roll 4169 | 2025-06-02
HCR 172
HCR 172 | 132 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting
house roll 4168 | 2025-06-02
SCR 55
SCR 55 | 126 Yeas, 12 Nays, 2 Present, not voting
house roll 4167 | 2025-06-02
HCR 171
HCR 171 | 138 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting
house roll 4166 | 2025-06-02
ROLL CALL
ROLL CALL | 148 Present, 0 Absent, 2 Absent, Excused
house roll 4165 | 2025-06-01
SB 2024
SB 2024 | 96 Yeas, 35 Nays, 2 Present, not voting
Public statements
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Public Sources
Last verified: 2026-04-27
In the News
Oil and Gas PAC Spending Surges in East Texas Legislative Races
Campaign finance filings reveal that energy industry PACs have dramatically increased contributions to East Texas state legislators ahead of key votes on pipeline permitting and eminent domain reform.
Apr 9, 2026Aging Water Systems in Deep East Texas Face EPA Violations as Legislators Seek State Funding
Over two dozen small water systems in East Texas are in violation of EPA safe drinking water standards. State legislators are pushing a $500 million infrastructure package.
Apr 8, 2026Watchdog Report: Most East Texas Legislators Score Below Average on Government Transparency Index
A new transparency scorecard from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas gives low marks to several East Texas state legislators for their positions on open records and public meeting reforms.
Apr 6, 2026Public Discussion
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