Melnick, an Austin real estate broker, officially filed papers with the Federal Election Commission on June 23, 2009 to become a candidate.

The first- and second-place finishers were, respectively, attorney Chip Roy, who served as chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.)

[9] On the Democratic side, four candidates ran to replace Smith: Joseph Kopser, entrepreneur and Army veteran; Derrick Crowe, activist; Elliott McFadden, executive director of Austin B-cycle; and Mary Street Wilson, pastor.

[16][17] The incumbent, Chip Roy (R, Dripping Springs), an attorney, ran unopposed and was nominated in the March 5, 2024 Republican primary.

[20] Bob King (L, New Braunfels), a retired energy finance executive and nonprofit leader, ran unopposed and was nominated at the Libertarian district convention on March 23, 2024.