- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Texas Primary Elections See Shakeups Across Both Parties
Key victories and defeats for candidates in the Lone Star State's primaries could shape the midterm elections.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Texas primary elections on Tuesday resulted in a number of significant wins and losses for candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties. Moderate Democrat James Talarico defeated progressive Jasmine Crockett in the Senate primary, while conservative Steve Toth unseated incumbent Dan Crenshaw in a House race. Governor Greg Abbott and former President Donald Trump also saw their preferred candidates advance. The results suggest shifting dynamics within the Texas GOP and potential challenges for the Democratic party's progressive wing ahead of the midterms.
Why it matters
The Texas primaries are an important bellwether for the national political landscape, as the state is a key battleground. The outcomes could influence the direction of both parties as they position themselves for the 2026 midterm elections and beyond, with implications for issues like economic policy, social issues, and the role of Trump's influence within the Republican party.
The details
In the Democratic Senate primary, state representative James Talarico defeated Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a progressive, by a margin of 53% to 45.7%. Talarico, viewed as a moderate focused on economic populism, is seen as a rising star in the party. Meanwhile, conservative state representative Steve Toth unseated four-term Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw, suggesting a shift within the Texas GOP toward more hardline candidates. Governor Greg Abbott and former President Donald Trump also saw their preferred candidates advance in their respective primaries.
- The Texas primary elections took place on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
- A runoff election between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Senator John Cornyn is scheduled for May 26, 2026.
The players
James Talarico
A Texas state lawmaker first elected in 2018, Talarico is viewed as a moderate Democrat focused on economic populism and broad voter appeal. He won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate.
Jasmine Crockett
A Congresswoman elected in 2022 to represent a Dallas-area district, Crockett is seen as a progressive Democrat who lost the Senate primary to Talarico.
Steve Toth
A conservative Texas state representative who defeated incumbent Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw in the primary.
Greg Abbott
The incumbent Republican Governor of Texas who won his party's gubernatorial primary as he seeks a fourth term in office.
Donald Trump
The former President whose endorsed candidates advanced in the Texas primaries, suggesting his continued influence over the Republican party.
What’s next
A runoff election between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Senator John Cornyn is scheduled for May 26, 2026.
The takeaway
The Texas primaries highlight the ongoing tensions within both the Democratic and Republican parties, with moderates and progressives vying for influence and the GOP grappling with Trump's continued sway. The outcomes could shape the national political landscape ahead of the crucial 2026 midterm elections.
