Summary
Texas held its first primary elections for the 2026 midterms. Senator John Cornyn showed strong results, preventing an immediate loss to Attorney General Ken Paxton and setting up a May runoff. Controversies also arose in the Democratic Senate primary, with claims of voting issues.
Key Facts
- Senator John Cornyn will compete against Attorney General Ken Paxton in a runoff election in May.
- Concerns exist within the Republican Party about Paxton potentially losing in the general election.
- Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett claimed voter disenfranchisement in Dallas County, trailing behind State Rep. James Talarico.
- Cornyn and Paxton's primary is costly, nearing $100 million, and both seek President Trump's endorsement.
- Populist James Talarico outspent Crockett significantly in campaign advertising.
- Redistricting led to GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw losing to State Rep. Steve Toth, and it created challenges for Rep. Al Green.
- Democratic turnout, especially among Latino voters, surged in Texas, notably in the Rio Grande Valley.
- In Texas' 34th district, Democratic primary participation was roughly double that of the Republican primary.
