GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw loses primary race in Texas to state Rep. Steve Toth

CBS News projects Toth's victory in the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas has lost the GOP primary race in the state's 2nd Congressional District to Republican state Rep. Steve Toth, according to a projection by CBS News. Toth, a small business owner and avid supporter of former President Trump, argued that Crenshaw was not conservative enough for the "Make America Great Again" coalition.

Why it matters

Crenshaw's loss marks a shift in the Republican party in Texas, as the incumbent congressman was seen as a rising star but failed to secure the endorsement of former President Trump. Toth's victory could signal a move towards more hardline conservative candidates in the state.

The details

Toth, 65, is a small business owner with a background in construction and business consulting. He campaigned on the argument that Crenshaw was not loyal or conservative enough for the "Make America Great Again" coalition. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas endorsed Toth last week, after Crenshaw voted against a bipartisan aviation safety bill that Cruz championed. Texas' 2nd Congressional District, in the suburbs of Houston, is heavily Republican, so the winner of the GOP primary is all but guaranteed victory in November.

  • The primary election took place on March 4, 2026.

The players

Dan Crenshaw

Republican U.S. Representative for Texas's 2nd congressional district, who has served in the House since 2019.

Steve Toth

Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, small business owner, and avid supporter of former President Trump.

Ted Cruz

Republican U.S. Senator for Texas, who endorsed Toth in the primary race.

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States, who had previously endorsed Toth in his bids for the Texas state house.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

Crenshaw's loss highlights the continued influence of former President Trump within the Republican party in Texas, as well as the potential shift towards more hardline conservative candidates in the state.