Live updates: Multiple key races called for primary election runoffs, AP projects

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Last updated: Thursday, May 28, 2026 12:30AM GMT
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It's Your Voice, Your Vote.

After the Texas primary election in March saw the highest voter turnout in state history, Texans went back to the polls on Tuesday for multiple runoff elections.

The Associated Press has projected multiple key races this Election Day, including Ken Paxton for the GOP Senate primary runoff and Rep. Menefee for the Congressional District 18 primary runoff.

ABC13 is following these key races throughout the state, with reporters all across Texas covering the victories and losses on Election Day.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
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May 27, 2026, 2:33 PM GMT

Fort Bend blames 'clerical error' for countywide voting trouble

Most of the dust has settled from Tuesday's elections, but some voters in Fort Bend County say they won't forget the experience of being turned away as they tried to cast their ballot.

County leaders cited technical issues that they say caused problems with polling sites countywide for several hours.

ABC13's Tony Atkins heard from frustrated voters, some of whom said they returned multiple times hoping to cast their ballots. Some people said they were able to cast ballots, but others weren't.

The county said election registration data from a city school election on May 2 caused the issue.

"Essentially, we have to click a button to upload a file. The incorrect file was chosen. So it does stem from a clerical error," Election Administrator Chase Wilson said on Tuesday.

In short, he said the wrong voter registration file was sent to polling places countywide, so some people were unable to be checked in.

County Judge Daniel Wong said that led to voting issues from around 2 p.m until 5 p.m.

Throughout the afternoon, questions over possibly extending the 7 p.m. voting deadline loomed. Officials, not moving forward with that proposal, cited a need for both Democratic and Republican leaders to agree on it.

Officials stressed this was not malicious and claimed the integrity of Tuesday's vote was not hindered.

"This issue does not impact the integrity... or the totals of the ballots that were submitted. This has to do with the check-in process at the polling locations, resulting in delays in today's voting," Wilson added.

Chaz Miller Image
May 27, 2026, 12:38 PM GMT

Harris County judge race appears to be set, with Orlando Sanchez and Letitia Plummer leading races

The race to be the next Harris County judge is down to two candidates.

Unofficial results show November's general election will come down to Republican Orlando Sanchez and Democrat Letitia Plummer, both former Houston City Councilors.

Sanchez won his runoff single-handedly. But on the Democratic side, between former Council Member Dr. Letitia Plummer and former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, the race came down to just over 2,500 votes.

On the Republican side, Sanchez beat Warren Howell, the president of an insurance company, by nearly 36,000 votes.

Sanchez has said county government hasn't been working for the community in recent years, pointing to issues like the backlog in the criminal justice system and stalled flood projects.

So, it'll be Sanchez versus Plummer in November's general election for county judge, replacing incumbent Lina Hidalgo, who chose not to seek reelection.

SEE FULL REPORT: Harris County judge race appears to be set, with Orlando Sanchez and Letitia Plummer leading races

The race to be the next Harris County judge is down to two candidates, with Republican Orlando Sanchez and Democrat Letitia Plummer winning their respective primaries.
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May 27, 2026, 3:28 AM GMT

Rep. Menefee wins Democratic primary for 18th House District in Texas, beats Rep. Green, AP projects

The Associated Press projected that Christian Menefee has won the District 18 Congressional seat, defeating longtime Congressman Al Green in a race shaped by redistricting and defined by age and experience.

Those who live in District 18 have cast votes for their representative four times in less than a year, with previous representatives including Sheila Jackson Lee and former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner.

The new congressional lines drastically changed Green's longtime 9th Congressional District, drawing his home into a brand new 18th district.

SEE FULL REPORT: Menefee wins Democratic primary for 18th House District in Texas, beats Green, AP projects

ByNoah Key KTRK logo
May 27, 2026, 3:13 AM GMT

AP projects Mayes Middleton to win GOP nomination for TX Attorney General, Nathan Johnson for Dems

The Associated Press has projected that Mayes Middleton will win the Republican nomination for Texas Attorney General, defeating his opponent, Chip Roy.

For the Democrats, the Associated Press has projected that Nathan Johnson will be the party's nominee for Texas Attorney General, defeating Joe Jaworski.