District 70 Republicans Flint, Gallagher, Hewitt Outline Priorities Before March 3 Primary

Michael Hewitt, 41, received a public boost from a Dallas Morning News editorial as he, George Flint, 75, and Jack Ryan Gallagher press their cases to Republican voters in southern Collin County ahead of the March 3 primary. Community Impact published a candidate Q&A on Feb. 17, 2026 with the Republican contenders for Texas House District 70, George Flint, Jack Ryan Gallagher and Michael Hewitt, ahead of the March 3 primary; the Q&A lets candidates present their positions to voters in their own words. The winner will face Democratic incumbent state Rep. Mihaela Plesa in a district that spans parts of Allen, Plano and Richardson and reaches into northern Dallas.

The editorial singled out Hewitt as a fresh face, saying, "It is becoming a rarity to find young voices in the Republican Party who will engage in thoughtful conversations with voters and political opponents," and adding, "Attorney Michael Hewitt brings such a dose of fresh air to the Republican primary for Texas House District 70." The piece concluded with a formal recommendation: "We recommend Hewitt, 41, over opponents George Flint and Jack Ryan Gallagher." On policy, the editorial noted Hewitt favors "a low-regulation and business-friendly environment as a way to encourage more housing construction" and that "he would not have voted for Senate Bill 840," the measure that allows multifamily housing in commercially zoned districts in large cities including Plano.

George Flint, 75, framed his campaign around tax relief for homeowners and local control. The Dallas Morning News editorial noted, "Flint, 75, supports the elimination of property taxes for homeowners, even as he recognized such a decision will be a test for the state." The editorial also reported Flint "floated some ideas about how to replace tax revenue, including raising sales taxes or the extra funding that could result from Plano leaving DART," and concluded, "We are unconvinced about the feasibility of those ideas." Flint is identified in reporting as a former district judge and a former chairman for the Collin County Republican Party.

Education and school finance have emerged as a flashpoint in District 70 campaigns. Both Hewitt and Flint told a Collin County Conservative Republican candidate forum they do not support the recapture system known as Robin Hood. Hewitt emphasized local priorities with the forum remarks, "We need to put Plano schools first," and "We need to take care of the schools inside of House District 70." The debate over recapture is anchored by Plano ISD’s long-running budget pressures; school funding in Texas relies heavily on local property taxes, and districts with high property wealth send a portion of revenue back to the state for redistribution.

Jack Ryan Gallagher, listed on filings and in Community Impact material, is identified as an attorney and appears alongside Flint and Hewitt on the Feb. 17 Q&A page; Community Impact’s story includes candidate headshots submitted by the campaigns. Ballotpedia confirms the three Republicans are on the March 3 ballot for House District 70. Historical Republican primary turnout in 2022 showed competitive fields: in the March 1, 2022 primary Jamee Jolly led with 4,158 votes (38.0%) and Eric Bowlin had 3,495 votes (32.0%), demonstrating the district’s active GOP electorate.

With Mihaela Plesa carrying the seat by roughly four percentage points in the last general election, District 70 remains competitive in southern Collin County. The March 3 Republican primary will determine which nominee, Hewitt, Flint or Gallagher, challenges Plesa in a district that spans Allen, Plano, Richardson and parts of northern Dallas. Community Impact’s Q&A author is Mary Katherine Shapiro (Feb. 17, 2026); contact listed on the Community Impact page is (512) 989-6808.