When Texans cast their primary ballots, they sent Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton to a runoff for Senate.
Cornyn and Paxton were likely headed to a runoff for the Republican Senate nomination after the March 3 primary, Decision Desk HQ projected. Rep. Wesley Hunt trailed in third place with double digits, but reportedly pledged not to support Cornyn. The runoff election will take place in May.
“We just sent a message loud and clear to Washington. We are not going to go quietly. And we are not going to let you by buythe seat.” –@KenPaxtonTX pic.twitter.com/j8oaZYmZZJ
— Brandon Waltens (@bwaltens) March 4, 2026
Meanwhile, Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett left her seat in Congress to seek the party’s nomination for Senate, but early results showed her trailing state Rep. James Talarico. This would mark an end to her time in Congress, which was riddled with scandals, as The Dallas Express reported.
After initial numbers showed her trailing, Crockett accused Republicans of election meddling then left her campaign’s watch party, according to The New York Post.
Early results showed state Rep. Steve Toth leading incumbent Rep. Dan Crenshaw in the Republican primary for Texas’ 2nd Congressional District. The incumbent congressman has held office since 2019, and gained widespread prominence – but has attracted more controversy in recent years, saying on a hot mic in February 2025 he wished to “f*cking kill” Tucker Carlson, as The Dallas Express reported.
Major State Races
Texans also decided on a variety of other races across the state.
For governor, Gov. Greg Abbott won the Republican nomination for a fourth term in office. He will face off against Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa in the general election.
State Sen. Mayes Middleton led the Republican primary with about 40% of the vote. Unless he surpasses that mark, he will likely face Rep. Chip Roy in a runoff. The other candidates, Aaron Reitz and state Sen. Joan Huffman, trailed far behind. The winner will then face the Democratic nominee in the general election.
For agriculture commissioner, Nate Sheets led incumbent Sid Miller by less than 10% for the Republican nomination. The winner will face Democratic nominee Clayton Tucker in the general election.
For comptroller, former state Sen. Don Huffines led by a wide margin, with incumbent Kelly Hancock coming in second with just more than 20% for the Republican nomination. The winner will face Democratic nominee Sarah Eckhardt in the general election.
For railroad commissioner, former Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French narrowly led the pack, with incumbent Jim Wright trailing in a close second for the Republican nomination. They will head to a runoff, and the winner will face Democratic nominee Jon Rosenthal in the general election.
In Texas HD-92, J.P. Woodruff won the Republican nomination with nearly 68% – going on to challenge Democratic nominee Salman Bhojani.
In Texas HD-98, Keller Mayor Armin Mizani won the Republican nomination. He will face Democratic nominee Cate Brennan in the general election.
In Texas SD-9, Leigh Wambsganss is running unopposed for a rematch with Democratic nominee Taylor Rehmet, who flipped a Tarrant County district blue in January, as The Dallas Express reported.
Vying For Congress
In Congress District 23, Rep. Tony Gonzales led the pack – but went to a runoff against Second Amendment activist Brandon Herrera. The winner will face Democratic nominee Katy Padilla Stout in the general election.
A scandal rocked Gonzales’ campaign after reports he had an affair with then-staffer Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died after reportedly setting herself on fire, as The Dallas Express reported. After these revelations, Gonzales accused the staffer’s husband of blackmail.
In Congress District 32, early results showed Jace Yarbrough receiving about 50% of the vote in the Republican primary for Texas’ 32nd Congressional District. If that margin holds above the majority threshold, he would avoid a runoff and advance to the general election.
