Texas Primary Election Results Shake Up National Politics

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Texas' 2026 primary election results have national significance, with high-profile races for governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller, and U.S. Senate shaping up to be expensive and contentious. The Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat is the most expensive in Texas history, pitting the incumbent John Cornyn against the more conservative state Attorney General Ken Paxton. On the Democratic side, State Representative James Talarico won the nomination and will face the Republican nominee in the general election. Additionally, several Texas House and Senate races saw incumbent losses, and the state legislature's redistricting efforts have created new battleground districts that could impact the balance of power in Congress.

Why it matters

Texas is the world's eighth largest economy and a major political bellwether, so the outcomes of these primary races will have significant implications for national politics and policy. The U.S. Senate race in particular could determine control of the chamber, while the state-level contests will shape the legislative agenda in Austin and influence national debates on issues like immigration, energy, and education. The high-stakes nature of these races is driving record campaign spending and voter turnout, underscoring Texas' outsized role in shaping the national political landscape.

The details

In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, incumbent John Cornyn narrowly avoided a runoff by finishing first with 41.9% of the vote, followed by Attorney General Ken Paxton at 40.7%. Cornyn spent over $70 million in the race, while Paxton, who has a history of legal battles with the federal government, has the backing of former President Trump. On the Democratic side, State Representative James Talarico won the nomination, defeating Congresswoman Jasmine Crocket. The race for Texas governor pits incumbent Republican Greg Abbott against Democratic State Representative Gina Hinojosa, while the lieutenant governor's race is between Republican incumbent Dan Patrick and either Democratic State Representative Vikki Goodwin or activist Marco Velez. The comptroller's race is also drawing attention, with Republican Don Huffines, an ultraconservative, defeating the candidate backed by Abbott. Several Texas House and Senate incumbents lost their primaries, including Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw, who was defeated by a Trump-endorsed challenger. The state's congressional redistricting process has also created new battleground districts that could impact the balance of power in the U.S. House.

• The Texas primary election was held on March 3, 2026.
• The runoff election will take place on May 26, 2026.
• The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

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