2026 Texas Primaries TSRA PAC Recap
Texas voters went to the polls on March 3, to choose party nominees up and down the ballot for the 2026 elections.
Statewide Races
- Governor: Gov. Greg Abbott easily secured the Republican nomination against 10 opponents and will face Democratic State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who won her primary outright and avoids a runoff.
- Lieutenant Governor: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick effortlessly sailed to victory over 3 opponents. He will face Democratic State Rep. Vikki Goodwin in November.
- U.S. Senate: On the Democratic side, State Representative James Talarico won his primary against Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett for U.S. Senate. Republicans will see a high‑profile runoff between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton after neither cleared 50% in a crowded field. The races for this U.S. Senate seat set a new spending record of over $125 million.
- Attorney General: The Republican primary for Attorney General is headed to a runoff between State Sen. Mayes Middleton and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, ensuring that race remains in the spotlight through May. State Senator Nathan Johnson is the Democratic nominee.
- Agriculture Commissioner: In one of the biggest statewide surprises, Collin County businessman Nate Sheets defeated three‑term incumbent Sid Miller in the Republican primary for agriculture commissioner. Sheets will face Democrat Clayton Tucker in the general election.
- Comptroller: Former State Sen. Don Huffines, running as an ultraconservative reformer, won the crowded GOP primary for Comptroller without a runoff. He will face Democrat State Senator Sarah Eckhardt in November.
Congressional Races
Congressional primaries featured both ideological battles and a few notable upsets. Embattled U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales was forced into a Republican runoff by challenger Brandon Herrera, a gun‑rights activist, ensuring that seat remains closely watched by grassroots conservatives. State Rep. Steve Toth defeated 4-term Congressman Dan Crenshaw in a high‑profile Republican primary challenge. On the Democratic side, former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and Rep. Julie Johnson are headed to a runoff in a North Texas district after neither cleared 50%.
Legislative Races
Over the past two decades in Texas, redistricting has made primary elections more significant than general elections as that is where the competition is. All 150 Texas House seats are on the ballot this year, along with half of the 31 State Senate seats. Many House incumbents faced serious primary challenges, while attention on the Senate races was primarily focused on the five open seats resulting from retirements.
In 2024, the Texas House experienced substantial losses during the primary and runoff elections—15 incumbents lost their seats, all of whom had received “A” or “A+” ratings from TSRA. These losses were primarily the result of interparty clashes over school vouchers and the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Thankfully, Republicans in Texas remain firmly committed to gun rights. So, even though many pro-gun incumbents were defeated in the 2024 primary, their successors were equally supportive of our Second Amendment rights.
During this year’s primary, 39 Texas House incumbents were challenged. Only three lost their races outright: Cecil Bell (R-HD 3), Stan Kitzman (R-HD 85) and Chris Turner (D-101). TSRA endorsed in four Texas Senate races: two incumbents and two open seats. All four were victorious. Overall, only two of TSRA’s 36 endorsed candidates lost their primary contests.
Texas primary runoff elections will be Tuesday, May 26th and the general election will be Tuesday, November 3rd.
In 2024, the Texas House experienced substantial losses during the primary and runoff elections—15 incumbents lost their seats, all of whom had received “A” or “A+” ratings from TSRA. These losses were primarily the result of interparty clashes over school vouchers and the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Thankfully, Republicans in Texas remain firmly committed to gun rights. So, even though many pro-gun incumbents were defeated in the 2024 primary, their successors were equally supportive of our Second Amendment rights.
During this year’s primary, 39 Texas House incumbents were challenged. Only three lost their races outright: Cecil Bell (R-HD 3), Stan Kitzman (R-HD 85) and Chris Turner (D-101). TSRA endorsed in four Texas Senate races: two incumbents and two open seats. All four were victorious. Overall, only two of TSRA’s 36 endorsed candidates lost their primary contests.
Texas primary runoff elections will be Tuesday, May 26th and the general election will be Tuesday, November 3rd.
Story by TSRA PAC Legislative Team
March 5, 2026