Mark Newgent Challenges Incumbent Keith Self in TX-03 GOP Primary

Mark Newgent, a 20-year retired U.S. Army captain and Republican challenger in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District, urged Democratic attendees at an EPIC candidate forum to request Republican ballots and vote against incumbent Rep. Keith Self, remarks captured on exclusive video inside the East Plano Islamic Center. The forum exchange unfolded amid tensions over a proposed EPIC Collin County project and later devolved into a separate confrontation over Sharia law, according to event footage and subsequent campaign statements.

Newgent’s campaign materials describe his biography in his own words: "I’m Mark Newgent, a lifelong Texan, a 20-year retired U.S. Army Captain, a husband, and a father who believes deeply in service before self." His submission to an election profile lists military-police service, multiple deployments, work in anti-terrorism and security operations, and that he rose from private to company commander. Newgent also framed his candidacy around family and immigration experience: "My wife is an immigrant who went through the legal immigration process, which gave me a personal understanding of how broken and frustrating that system has become for law-abiding families who want to do things the right way."

Newgent’s campaign messaging emphasizes cross-party outreach and practical priorities. In campaign-submitted copy he wrote, "TX-03 is diverse, not just politically, but culturally, economically, and religiously. I believe representation starts with listening, not lecturing," and "I will work with anyone, Republican, Independent, or Democrat, who wants to lower costs, restore accountability, and protect families." Newgent’s team later characterized his forum remarks as outreach aimed at expanding the Republican coalition.

Rep. Keith Self responded sharply to Newgent’s forum appeal, accusing Newgent of serving special interests and abandoning conservative principles, according to campaign back-and-forth following the event. The exchange intensified local debate around EPIC’s proposed Collin County project and brought heightened attention to voting mechanics in Texas, where the primary system allows voters to request a Republican ballot without formal party registration.

The Republican primary for U.S. House District 3 is scheduled for March 3, 2026. Public candidate listings confirm Self as the incumbent and show Newgent as a non-incumbent challenger. A Feb. 18 candidate Q&A page that included both candidates and campaign photos listed Miranda Jaimes as the managing editor on the page; that Q&A’s full answers were not reproduced in campaign materials provided to the voter guides. A separate voter guide capture showed Newgent marked as "no response" to a questionnaire limited to 200 words per question.

Key reporting gaps remain: the full transcript or video clip of Newgent’s Feb. 9 remarks, a verbatim statement from Self about the forum exchange, the complete Q&A answers from both candidates, and campaign finance and endorsement disclosures. With the March 3 primary approaching, those items will be central to clarifying policy differences and how Newgent’s outreach strategy could affect turnout across Plano, Frisco, Allen, and the community listed as "Prosp" in the district description.