Caitlin Rourk, a military intelligence officer and first-time candidate for federal office, has officially launched her campaign to represent Texas Congressional District 10 following statewide redistricting that prompted multiple shifts across the congressional map. The decision to run in CD-10 was both practical and deeply personal for Rourk, as the new boundaries placed her home and her children's future directly inside the district she now seeks to serve.
Rourk originally entered the race for Texas's 31st District in July, building a fast-moving grassroots campaign centered on listening to residents and engaging independents and disengaged voters. When the Supreme Court ruling reshaped the district map, she saw an undeniable opportunity to represent her own community more authentically. "Putting a yard sign in my own yard and asking my neighbors to vote alongside me—that mattered," she said. "This is home."
Her campaign focuses on economic relief for Texas families, protecting and strengthening public schools, supporting military and veteran communities, and restoring trust in government. Voters across the region—spanning Bryan–College Station, Austin, and the rural heart of the district—have expressed rising concerns about housing affordability, insurance premiums, childcare access, and the relentless financial pressures shaping their daily lives.
Rourk's service-minded approach mirrors her upbringing in a family of educators and her years in uniform. She believes CD-10's unique intersection of defense innovation, higher education, and rural communities requires a representative with both lived experience and the stamina to meet constituents where they are. She also highlights voter turnout as a critical issue, stating, "People are frustrated and often feel their vote doesn't matter. But the truth is, primaries and local elections shape the future of our state long before November. Texas needs more engaged, informed voices—and we're building a campaign to help make that possible."
This campaign announcement matters because it represents how redistricting can directly impact political representation and candidate choices, potentially bringing more localized voices to Congress. The shift demonstrates how court decisions on district boundaries can create immediate opportunities for candidates to serve their actual communities rather than just political calculations. For voters in Texas Congressional District 10, this means having a candidate who literally lives among them and understands their daily challenges firsthand.
The implications extend beyond this single race, as redistricting continues to reshape political landscapes across Texas and the nation. When candidates run in districts where they actually reside, it potentially increases accountability and connection between representatives and constituents. Rourk's focus on economic pressures facing families addresses widespread concerns that affect not just her district but communities nationwide, making her campaign a case study in how local issues drive political engagement.
Rourk invites Texans across the political spectrum to learn more through her campaign website at https://www.CaitlinRourk.com. Educational resources about Texas elections are also available through initiatives like https://www.youtube.com/@VoteLikeATexan, which provides meaningful dialogue with candidates and policy experts.
