Texas Senate Race Sets Spending Records Ahead of Primary

Candidates and outside groups pour over $110 million into the hotly contested race

Feb. 25, 2026 at 11:18pm

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The race for the Texas U.S. Senate seat is setting spending records ahead of the state's primary election on Tuesday. Candidates and political groups have poured over $110 million into advertising and reserved advertising time, the most ever for a Senate primary. Democrat James Talarico has raised over $21 million, while his opponent Jasmine Crockett has raised nearly $8.6 million. On the Republican side, incumbent Senator John Cornyn is facing challenges from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, with outside groups spending over $57 million to support Cornyn's bid for a fifth term.

Why it matters

The high-stakes and high-spending Texas Senate race is a preview of the money that is expected to flood this year's midterm elections across the U.S., with control of Congress at stake. The race also highlights the growing influence of outside groups and the challenges facing incumbent senators like Cornyn in the face of primary challenges from more conservative candidates.

The details

Talarico, the Democratic frontrunner, has launched a final TV ad before the primary that attacks the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics, describing ICE as 'secret police.' Crockett, the other Democratic candidate, has positioned herself as the bigger fighter and has contrasted Talarico's appeals to disaffected Republicans with her own more combative approach. On the Republican side, Cornyn is facing challenges from Paxton and Hunt, with the pro-Cornyn Texans for a Conservative Majority group spending over $22 million on anti-Hunt ads. Republicans worry that if Paxton, who has legal problems, becomes the nominee, the party will have to spend tens of millions more to hold the seat.

  • The primary election in Texas is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2026.
  • Talarico launched his final TV ad before the primary on Wednesday, February 27, 2026.

The players

James Talarico

The Democratic frontrunner in the Texas Senate race, who has raised over $21 million for his campaign.

Jasmine Crockett

Talarico's Democratic opponent, who has raised nearly $8.6 million for her campaign.

John Cornyn

The incumbent Republican Senator, who is facing challenges from more conservative candidates in the primary.

Ken Paxton

The Texas Attorney General, who is challenging Cornyn in the Republican primary.

Wesley Hunt

The U.S. Representative who is also challenging Cornyn in the Republican primary.

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What they’re saying

“We can transform this broken political system.”

— James Talarico

“People said, 'There's no way she's going to win.' I show up, authentically me. That makes some people cringe, but the people are tired of politics as usual.”

— Jasmine Crockett, U.S. Representative

“It is a strong possibility we cannot hold Texas if John Cornyn is not our nominee.”

— Tim Scott, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The Texas primary election will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2026. The results of the primary will determine the Republican and Democratic nominees for the U.S. Senate seat.

The takeaway

The high-spending Texas Senate race is a sign of the intense political battles to come in the 2026 midterm elections, with control of Congress at stake. The race highlights the growing influence of outside groups and the challenges facing incumbent senators from more conservative primary challengers.