BEAUMONT, Texas Dr. Ray Callas, a Beaumont anesthesiologist and Navy veteran, has officially filed to run for Texas House District 21 following the announcement that Speaker Dade Phelan will not seek reelection in 2026. Callas, who has held leadership roles in state medical policy, says his candidacy is driven by a lifelong commitment to service and protecting Texas values. The call to serve continues to ring, and I have never been one to leave that call unanswered, Callas said, referencing his Navy service during Desert Storm and his decades as a physician. His platform emphasizes overhauling property taxes, securing the border, defending mothers and unborn children, and protecting the Second Amendment. Callas joins the race in the wake of Phelans narrow 2024 primary runoff victory, which left the outgoing Speaker politically vulnerable. Phelans tenure was marked by securing over $70 million in regional healthcare funding, building new Veterans Affairs facilities, and investing heavily in Lamar University and local ports. Phelans exit leaves Southeast Texas in political flux. Callas is expected to run as a strong conservative voice in Austin, directly linking his medical career to public trust. Every day, patients trust me with their lives on the operating table. Imagine having that kind of trust in your state representative, he said.