In a gripping political showdown, Texas Senator John Cornyn, a Republican, is fighting to retain his seat for an unprecedented fifth term. Meanwhile, Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico are locked in a battle to represent their party in the November general election, where they aim to challenge the GOP's dominance in the state.
But here's where it gets controversial: Texas is one of the first states to kick off this year's midterm elections, amidst a backdrop of war between the U.S. and Iran. This conflict, which erupted over the weekend, has already claimed the lives of at least six U.S. service members and escalated into a regional crisis, with Iran's retaliatory actions sending oil and gas prices skyrocketing. President Donald Trump, known for his isolationist 'America First' agenda, finds himself under increasing scrutiny for his decision to go to war without congressional approval.
Tuesday marks the final day of voting in North Carolina and Arkansas, signaling the start of the 2026 midterms. Democrats are determined to break the GOP's grip on Washington and derail Trump's influence.
Senator Cornyn faces a formidable challenge from MAGA favorite Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. This three-way contest is expected to lead to a May runoff between the top two contenders. All three Republicans have campaigned on their close ties to Trump, who has remained neutral in this race.
Crockett and Talarico, both Democrats, argue that they are the stronger candidates to take on the Republicans in the general election. Texas, a state that backed Trump by a substantial margin in 2024, has not elected a Democrat in over three decades, making this a daunting task.
Voters are also selecting House candidates under new congressional district boundaries, which GOP lawmakers, urged on by Trump, have redrawn to favor Republican candidates.
Senator Cornyn is determined to avoid becoming the first Republican senator in Texas history to be denied renomination. His strained relationship with Trump is a key factor in his vulnerability. Cornyn and his allies have spent a staggering $64 million on television advertising alone since July, in an effort to shore up his support.
Ken Paxton, who only began campaigning in earnest last month, has made headlines for his lawsuits against Democratic initiatives. Despite a 2023 impeachment trial on corruption charges and accusations of marital infidelity, Paxton remains popular in Texas, having been acquitted of the charges.
All three Republicans have run ads emphasizing their closeness to Trump. However, Senate GOP leaders, who are backing Cornyn, worry that Paxton's liabilities could make it harder to defend the seat if he becomes the nominee, requiring significant financial resources that could be better utilized elsewhere.
Senator Cornyn raised these concerns on Fox News, asking, "Do Republican voters want to win?"
The entry of U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt into the race in October has made it even more challenging for any primary candidate to secure at least 50% of the vote, the threshold needed to avoid a May 26 runoff.
On the Democratic side, Crockett and Talarico have engaged in a spirited race as their party seeks its first Senate victory in Texas since 1988.
Talarico, a seminarian who often references the Bible, has held rallies across the state, including in heavily Republican areas. Crockett, on the other hand, has gained national attention for her scathing attacks on Republicans and her focus on mobilizing Black voters in the Dallas and Houston regions.
Tanu Sani, a Democratic voter in Dallas, explained her choice for Talarico, saying, "He really spoke to me and his message of unity resonated." Andrew Kern, another Texas Democrat, echoed this sentiment, describing Talarico's approach as "bridging the divisiveness."
Crockett was scheduled to make campaign stops across Houston, Waco, and Prairie View A&M University, ending the night with an election watch party in Dallas.
Talarico had outspent Crockett on television advertising by a significant margin as of late February. He gained attention and campaign contributions last month when CBS decided not to air his interview with late-night host Stephen Colbert, who claimed the network pulled the interview out of fear of angering Trump's FCC.
In addition to the Senate race, several key House primaries are taking place. Texas Republicans' mid-decade redistricting aimed to help the GOP gain Democratic-held seats and maintain their slim majority in Washington. The result has pitted several Democratic incumbents against each other in primary battles and created new general election battlegrounds.
In the 34th District, former Rep. Mayra Flores is attempting a comeback. Flores made history in 2022 as the first Republican to win in the Rio Grande Valley in 150 years, but she lost her bid for a full term later that year. She now faces Eric Flores, a lawyer endorsed by Trump, for the nomination to run against Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez.
In the 23rd District, Rep. Tony Gonzales is considered vulnerable after allegations of an affair with a staffer who took her own life. He is being challenged by gun manufacturer and YouTube influencer Brandon Herrera, who goes by "the AK guy." This district includes Uvalde, the site of the tragic 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School.
Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw is being challenged in the 2nd District by state Rep. Steve Toth, who received the endorsement of Sen. Ted Cruz.
Former Major League Baseball star Mark Teixeira is running as a Republican to succeed Republican Chip Roy in southwest Texas' District 21. Roy is running for attorney general.
Democrat Bobby Pulido, a Latin Grammy winner, is running in South Texas' 15th District against physician Ada Cuellar. The nominee will face two-term Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz.
In the 33rd District, Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson faces former Rep. Colin Allred, a former NFL linebacker and 2024 Senate nominee. Johnson, a first-term congresswoman, is seen as vulnerable due to Allred's previous representation of part of the district, which spans the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. Allred also retains a strong national fundraising network from his Senate campaign.
Democratic Rep. Al Green is fighting to retain his seat after his Houston-based 9th District was redrawn to lean Republican. Green, now 78, is running in the newly drawn 18th District against Democratic Rep. Christian Menefee, 37, who won a January special election for the current 18th District. The new district includes two-thirds of Green's old district.
On the gubernatorial front, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is running for reelection and is expected to face Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa.
Four-term U.S. Rep. Chip Roy is seeking the GOP nomination for state attorney general, with Paxton running for Senate. Roy has been a prominent member of the conservative Freedom Caucus.
As the political landscape in Texas continues to evolve, these elections will shape the state's future and potentially impact the balance of power in Washington. With so much at stake, the outcome of these races is eagerly anticipated by both parties and the nation as a whole.
