As voters in Texas head to the polls for the March 3 primaries, it is important to recognize that this primary is significant for both the state and the nation. Voters will be selecting nominees for a historically Republican Senate seat, congressional positions, and key statewide offices.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. on March 3 and will close at 7 p.m. Central Time.
It’s Election Day in Texas!
Make your voice heard in today’s Texas Primary Election. Visit https://t.co/MdRpg54XRY for polling locations, what to bring, and important reminders. pic.twitter.com/jLfUgHnGbF
— VoteTexas (@VoteTexas) March 3, 2026
Democrats Surge Ahead in Texas Early Voting Turnout for Primaries
Democrats were leading Republicans in voter turnout by the end of early voting on February 27, according to data from the Texas Secretary of State. Democrat early-voter turnout surged to 7.39%, with 1.38 million already casting ballots. Meanwhile, Republican early-voter turnout was 6.33%, with more than 1.18 million casting ballots.
This trend was even clearer in deep-blue Dallas County. Democrat early voter turnout was 12.82%, with 187,695 already casting a ballot. Meanwhile, Republican early-voter turnout was just 4.42%, with 64,768 casting ballots.
Since 2018, the only year in which Democrats led Republicans in early voting was 2020, according to Axios. In 2022, Republicans led with 11.4% turnout while Democrats had just 6.5%. In 2024, Republicans led with 12.9%, while Democrats trailed at 5.5%.
Senate
Three prominent candidates are facing off for the Republican nomination – long-time incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. The latter two candidates joined The Dallas Express podcast “Let’s Talk Local” to discuss the top issues behind their campaigns.
A February survey found that Paxton led with 38%, Cornyn was second with 31%, and Hunt trailed with 17%, as DX reported. In a hypothetical May runoff election, Paxton leads Cornyn by an average of 2.3%, according to RealClearPolling.
At the same time, two legislators are running for the Democratic nomination for the same Senate seat. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of South Dallas is facing off against state Rep. James Talarico of Austin.
As The Dallas Express reported, a February survey found Crockett was 12 points ahead of Talarico in the weeks prior to the election. But overall, several polls suggested Talarico leading by an average of 10 points, according to RealClear Polling.
Congress
U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw is facing numerous challengers, including state Rep. Steve Toth, for the Republican nomination to represent Texas District 2 outside Houston, according to Ballotpedia. One poll from October 2025 found Crenshaw leading Toth by 28 points, as The New York Times reported.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales is also facing challengers – including firearms advocate Brandon Herrera – for the Republican nomination to represent Texas District 23 in Southwest Texas.
As The Dallas Express reported, a scandal rocked Gonzales’ campaign after reports he had an affair with then-staffer Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died after setting herself on fire. After these revelations, Gonzales accused the staffer’s husband of blackmail. One survey found the legislator had just 21% support in the primary, according to The New York Post.
Closer to Dallas, numerous Republicans are vying to represent the newly redrawn Texas District 32, which spans portions of Denton, Collin, and Dallas Counties. Republicans include Jace Yarbrough, Abteen Vaziri, Ryan Binkley, Paul Bondar, Aimee Carrasco, Darrell Day, Gordon Heslop, Monty Montanez, and James Ussery. Meanwhile, two Democrats – Dan Barrios and Anthony Bridges – are competing for the nomination.
State Leadership
Incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, is running for a fourth term in office. Candidates, including Pete “Doc” Chambers, are challenging him for the party’s nomination, but Abbott is leading by a wide margin.
With Paxton running for Senate, the office will become vacant – triggering a primary between U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, former DOJ Assistant Attorney General for Legal Policy Aaron Reitz, and state Sens. Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman. As The Dallas Express reported, the candidates traded barbs at a forum in February.
