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Before noon, two Abilene men stepped forward to announce their intention to run for that seat. Abilene City Council member and local attorney Blaise Regan announced his candidacy on social media, highlighting optimism, strength, and the signature “West Texas work ethic” as the pillars of his conservative Republican campaign. And political newcomer, Republican Joshua Ohlemacher, of Abilene, sent out a news release announcing his candidacy not long after.
KTAB/KRBC reached out to Rep. Lambert and Mr. Regan for comment on these developments. However, Lambert declined to comment today as he was on the house floor all day for the current special session. Reagan was not able to respond to our request in time for this report.
Ohlemacher was able to speak, sharing a bit of his perspective and background.
“My goal is to be a voice for individual liberty and then fiscal responsibility for the government that does exist,” Ohlemacher said.
Ohlemacher, who has no previous public office experience, returned to Abilene with his wife and six children about a decade ago, having lived in Abilene between the ages of 13 to 16. He and his wife, who is originally from Merkel, decided to settle down in Abilene because it ‘just felt like home’. He now works at a Tye H-VAC business. His lack of political experience at any level is something he’s received criticism for. While he acknowledges the challenge ahead, he says it’s a challenge he feels prepared to take on.
“There are absolutely people who were working in law or on school boards or as county commissioners or mayors and city councils and things like that. But, I don’t think, by any means, that it’s a prerequisite… I think we just need people who have good ideas and who are principled and who are willing to be able to call something that’s wrong, wrong,” Ohlemacher shared.
Speaking on Lambert’s record, Ohlemacher praised the long-time Texas Representative’s resolve in the face of opposition on multiple occasions. Ohlemacher specifically mentioned Lambert’s steadfast hold against Abbott and other republicans on the issue of School Choice or Vouchers, going on to say that the representative’s seeming acceptance of the governor’s viewpoint recently felt like somewhat of a betrayal of Lambert’s usually steadfast stance.
“I appreciate his service. I think there’s a lot to be said for standing up in the face of that pressure for 10 years… When he ran in 2024, he was coming off of standing up to the Governor in 2023 on school choice. He got a bunch of primary money that came against him in the form of Liz Case, and he won. I was proud of that. Back in April, whenever he voted to pass school choice, I felt like there was a little bit of betrayal there,” Ohlemacher expressed.
Ohlemacher emphasized the need for a strong Republican voice for West Texans, especially in a House with a Republican supermajority that often sees infighting without strong opposition from outside.
“I think when we have a Republican super majority in the Texas House all the time, that it’s important to make sure that we have voices in there to keep them in check… I’m glad that we have that majority… But I think sometimes, without having the threat of real challenge to that status quo, people can get complacent sometimes and be willing to maybe cross the line of what the people of this district really want… I believe that the people who know what’s right for Abilene live in Abilene. I think the people who know what’s right for Sweetwater live in Sweetwater. Unless we have people who are willing to stand up and get involved, it doesn’t get any better,” said Ohlemacher.
This election will take place in November 2026. Also in the running are Taylor County rancher Liz Case and former Abilene City Council member and businessman Jay Hardaway.
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