Texas Senate Primary Delivers Drama, Confusion

Cornyn and Paxton head to runoff, Crockett loses to Talarico, and voting chaos in Dallas County

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Texas Senate primary on Tuesday night delivered drama and confusion, with a nasty Republican runoff between longtime incumbent John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, and a surprise loss for U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett to state Rep. James Talarico on the Democratic side. Meanwhile, a GOP-driven change to voting procedures in Dallas County triggered widespread confusion, with hundreds of voters turned away from familiar polling locations.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile and expensive in the country, with major implications for control of the Senate. The primary results and the voting chaos in Dallas County also highlight ongoing battles over voting rights and election procedures in the state.

The details

In the Republican primary, Cornyn and Paxton were forced into a May runoff that promises to be bruising, with Cornyn portraying himself as the safer choice while Paxton's allies argue that insurgents often win Texas runoffs. On the Democratic side, Talarico defeated the better-known Crockett, who entered the race with a lot of buzz but ran a less disciplined campaign. The voting chaos in Dallas County, where Republicans opted to run a separate party primary rather than participate in the county's joint vote center system, left hundreds of voters confused and turned away from familiar polling locations.

  • The Texas Senate primary was held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
  • The Cornyn-Paxton Republican runoff is scheduled for May 26, 2026.
  • The general election for the Texas Senate seat will be held in November 2026.

The players

John Cornyn

The longtime Republican incumbent U.S. Senator from Texas, who finished first in the primary but was forced into a runoff with Ken Paxton.

Ken Paxton

The Republican Texas Attorney General, who finished second in the primary and will face Cornyn in a runoff.

Jasmine Crockett

The Democratic U.S. Representative who lost the primary to James Talarico.

James Talarico

The Democratic state Representative who defeated Jasmine Crockett in the primary.

Donald Trump

The former President, who has not yet endorsed a candidate in the Republican runoff between Cornyn and Paxton.

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What they’re saying

“Texas is primed to turn blue and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person.”

— Jasmine Crockett, Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate (Austin American-Statesman)

“Why gamble?”

— John Cornyn, U.S. Senator (Dallas Morning News)

What’s next

The Cornyn-Paxton Republican runoff on May 26 will be a key focus in the coming months, with both candidates vying for former President Trump's endorsement. Democrats will also work to unite behind Talarico and address any lingering divisions from the primary.

The takeaway

The Texas Senate primary highlighted the ongoing partisan battles over voting procedures, the influence of former President Trump, and the challenges facing both parties as they seek to win a crucial Senate seat in November. The chaos in Dallas County underscores the need for clear and consistent voting rules to ensure all Texans can easily exercise their right to vote.