Texas 2026 Primary Results: Cornyn And Paxton Headed To Runoff, Talarico Wins Democratic Nomination

The first major results from the 2026 Texas primary elections are beginning to take shape, with Republican Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton advancing to a runoff in the state’s high-profile Republican Senate contest. On the Democratic side, state Representative James Talarico secured his party’s nomination for the Senate race.

The outcome sets up a closely watched political showdown that could have national implications as both parties assess the political landscape roughly one year into President Donald Trump’s second term.

“We’re about to take back Texas,” Talarico told reporters after his victory Wednesday.

Republican Senate Primary Moves to Runoff

According to projections from the Associated Press, Cornyn and Paxton will face each other in a runoff election after neither candidate received enough votes to win the Republican primary outright.

Cornyn, who is seeking a fifth term in the U.S. Senate, has been one of the most influential Republican lawmakers in Washington for more than two decades. His challenger, Paxton, has built strong support among conservative activists and has frequently aligned himself with Trump’s political agenda.

The battle between the two Republicans has already become the most expensive Senate primary in U.S. history, according to political advertising tracker AdImpact. More than $122 million in advertising spending and reservations have been reported so far.

Despite the intense competition, Trump has chosen not to endorse either candidate in the Senate race, even while offering endorsements in several House contests across the state.

Talarico Wins Democratic Senate Primary

In the Democratic primary, Talarico defeated fellow Democratic rising star Jasmine Crockett, according to projections from the Associated Press.

The contest between the two state lawmakers had drawn national attention because both candidates were viewed as potential future leaders within the Democratic Party.

Talarico now advances to the general election, where he will face whichever Republican candidate wins the Cornyn–Paxton runoff.

Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate seat in Texas in decades, but party strategists hope shifting demographics and growing urban populations could eventually make the state more competitive.

Texas Primaries Reflect National Political Mood

The Texas primary elections are being closely analyzed by political observers because they offer early insight into voter attitudes during Trump’s second presidency.

Texas is one of several states holding early primaries during the 2026 election cycle, alongside North Carolina and Arkansas. These races are expected to influence national campaign strategies heading into the November midterm elections.

The results could also reveal how Republican voters are responding to divisions within the party between establishment figures and candidates aligned with Trump’s populist movement.

Redistricting Begins to Reshape Texas Politics

Another major factor influencing the 2026 elections in Texas is the impact of newly drawn congressional maps.

Following encouragement from Trump last year, Texas became the center of a national debate over mid-decade redistricting. The state legislature approved new maps that are now being implemented in the 2026 elections.

The move sparked legal challenges that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and prompted several other states to consider redrawing their own districts outside the traditional once-per-decade cycle.

Political analysts say the new maps could lead to as many as five additional Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, where the GOP currently holds only a narrow majority.

House Races Draw Attention Across the State

Several House contests in Texas are also attracting national attention.

In one notable Republican primary, state Representative Steve Toth is projected to defeat four-term incumbent Dan Crenshaw. The race was particularly closely watched because Trump chose not to endorse either candidate.

Another high-profile contest involves the state’s 23rd Congressional District, where incumbent Tony Gonzales faces a challenge from Republican candidate Brandon Herrera.

The race gained attention after controversy surrounding Gonzales following allegations involving a relationship with a former staff member who later died by suicide. Some Republican figures have called for Gonzales to resign, though he has not stepped down.

Governor’s Race Takes Shape

Texas voters also cast ballots in the state’s gubernatorial primary.

ABC News projects that incumbent Governor Greg Abbott — who is seeking a fourth term in a state that does not impose limits on gubernatorial terms — will advance to the general election.

Abbott received an endorsement from Trump and will face Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa in November.

Former MLB Star Wins Congressional Primary

In another notable result, retired Major League Baseball star Mark Teixeira is projected to win the Republican primary for Texas’s 21st Congressional District.

Teixeira’s entry into politics drew significant media attention due to his high-profile sports career and outsider status in the political world.

Election Day Issues Reported at Polls

The primary elections were not without controversy. Reports emerged of confusion at several polling locations due to a new rule requiring voters to cast ballots at their assigned precincts.

Because many precinct boundaries changed during the recent redistricting process, hundreds of voters reportedly arrived at the wrong polling locations and were turned away.

Election officials said the changes were part of efforts to align voting districts with the newly drawn congressional maps.

Runoff Election Now in Focus

With Cornyn and Paxton heading to a Republican runoff and Talarico already securing the Democratic nomination, attention now shifts to the next stage of the Senate race.

The Republican runoff will determine which candidate faces Talarico in the November general election.

Given Texas’s size, political importance, and growing national attention, the race is expected to remain one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 midterm election cycle.