Texas Senate Candidates Make Final Pitches Before Primary

Republican incumbent John Cornyn faces challenges from Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt, while Democrats vie for a rare Texas Senate win.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A heated U.S. Senate race in Texas entered its final stretch on Sunday, with candidates from both parties making final pitches to voters ahead of Tuesday's primary. Republican Sen. John Cornyn is trying to avoid being the first incumbent GOP senator from Texas to lose a primary, fighting challenges from Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico are vying for the chance to win a Senate seat in Texas for the first time since 1988.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is a key battleground in the 2026 midterm elections, with Republicans working to hold their slim majority in the Senate and Democrats hoping to flip a long-elusive Texas seat. The outcome of the primary could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.

The details

Cornyn, the incumbent Republican senator, is facing challenges from Paxton, the state attorney general, and Hunt, a U.S. representative. Paxton is popular with Trump voters but has faced legal problems, while Hunt is seen as a more moderate Republican. On the Democratic side, Crockett, a U.S. representative, and Talarico, a state representative, are competing for the nomination. Crockett has been endorsed by former Vice President Kamala Harris, while Talarico is emphasizing his crossover appeal to Republicans.

  • The Texas primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
  • If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote on Tuesday, the primary will proceed to a runoff between the top two vote recipients on May 26, 2026.

The players

John Cornyn

The incumbent Republican U.S. senator from Texas, who is trying to avoid being the first incumbent GOP senator from Texas to lose a primary.

Ken Paxton

The Texas attorney general, who is challenging Cornyn for the Republican nomination and is popular with Trump voters but has faced legal problems.

Wesley Hunt

A U.S. representative who is also challenging Cornyn for the Republican nomination and is seen as a more moderate Republican.

Jasmine Crockett

A U.S. representative and the Democratic candidate who has been endorsed by former Vice President Kamala Harris.

James Talarico

A state representative and the other Democratic candidate, who is emphasizing his crossover appeal to Republicans.

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What they’re saying

“Complacency is a killer. It kills relationships. It kills careers.”

— John Cornyn (San Antonio Express-News)

“I'm not going up to Washington, D.C., to join the swamp club. I will go up there and fight for you.”

— Ken Paxton (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

What’s next

If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote on Tuesday, the primary will proceed to a runoff between the top two vote recipients on May 26, 2026.

The takeaway

The Texas Senate race is a crucial battleground in the 2026 midterm elections, with both parties vying for a rare Senate seat flip in the state. The outcome of the primary could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.