Like any self-respecting member of Texas Ballroom Dancing, you will find government junior Arshia Papari faithfully learning the Texas two-step and West Coast swing every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m.

Papari said dancing is one of the few ways he distracts himself from the other frenzy he wants to whirl his way into — the Texas House of Representatives. 

The Daily Texan
By Isaiah Williams
September 9, 2025

For nearly two months, Papari has been the sole candidate campaigning for Texas House District 49, which borders the Domain, stretches all the way down to south of Town Lake, and includes UT and West Campus. 

Since announcing his candidacy in July, Papari, a student organizer and former Student Government advocacy policy director, has campaigned to become the first UT student and Gen Z member elected to the Texas House. Papari’s self-described “chaotic” candidacy does not resemble a normal campaign. It is entirely youth-led — both of his campaign managers are college students, and his treasurer is a high school student who is also running for a separate office. 

“We see a lot of campaigns recruiting students to be at the entry levels of their campaign teams and maybe doing field organizing or little communications, but not really ever having an assertive amount of power and engagement,” Papari said. “I wanted to flip the script on that in my campaign.” 

Papari’s platform, which includes freezing housing costs, ending mass incarceration and protecting protestors’ rights, is also inextricably tied to the affairs of the University. Papari said his most important priority is allowing state institutions like the University to boycott certain entities. His concern stemmed from his time protesting the University’s investments in weapons manufacturers tied to Israel’s war on Gaza. 

If he is elected, his proposals would almost certainly face difficulties in a Texas legislature likely to be controlled by Republicans in the next election. 

However, Papari’s pathway to victory is narrow.

Papari is running as a Green Party candidate in a district that has elected a Democrat in every election since 1990. Mark Strama, a former member of the Texas House and the director of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, said the district is gerrymandered to practically guarantee a Democrat takes office. Papari said there are not many policy differences between himself and progressive Democrats in the Texas House. 

Papari’s presence as the only candidate stems from the silence of current state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who flirted with possible bids for comptroller and governor at a University event on Monday, either of which would open up the seat. Hinojosa did not confirm her candidacy for higher office or her current seat but said she would announce her plans “soon.” 

Strama said even if Hinojosa runs for another office, the Democratic party will likely nominate another Democrat from Austin’s “hotbed of political talent” before the December filing deadline. However, Strama also said the University’s students could play a large role in an election that has garnered more than 100,000 total votes once in the last 10 years. 

“It’s material, the student vote is important,” Strama said. “There’s a reason you’re about to go see Rep. Hinojosa on campus. When people invite her to UT, she says yes because it’s an important constituency for her.” 

Papari said House District 49 is the “most winnable seat” for the Green Party because of how left-leaning the district is, but he is not just looking for a “technical” win. Even if he loses, he said his campaign can still “develop” youth voices on campus. 

“I think victory means many different things to us,” Papari said. “Every campaign says our victory is winning the campaign, getting elected, but as a non-traditional (candidate) … I think it’s really being able to define, develop and embolden the youth movement.”