Record turnout in 2026 Texas primaries, several runoff races set for May

The 2026 midterm season begins in earnest on Tuesday with two of the nation's most consequential Senate primaries playing out in Texas.

Republican leaders in Washington openly fret that a victory by conservative firebrand Ken Paxton over four-term incumbent Sen. John Cornyn would give Democrats a good chance of winning the seat come November.

The contest has already cost Republicans tens of millions of dollars, and there will be much more spent ahead of a May 26 runoff if no one gets 50% in the three-way primary.

Democrats, meanwhile, are picking between two rising stars with conflicting styles, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico.

FULL REPORT: A mess in Texas? What to watch in Tuesday's primaries

Tens of thousands of voters have already visited the polls on Election Day morning, officials said.

According to the Harris County Clerk's Office, about 35,300 people voted in person as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

This comes after 346,797 votes were submitted during the early voting period, including in-person and mail-in ballots, officials said. Of those, 220,284 were for the Democratic primary, and 126,513 were for the Republican primary, according to the clerk's office.

Much of the spotlight for this election has focused on the state's two blockbuster primaries for U.S. Senate. On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin are each pitching to voters that they would be the better pick to lead their party out of the political wilderness.

Meanwhile, Republican Sen. John Cornyn is trying to fend off a difficult primary challenge from Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston, in a race that could head to a May runoff.

The biggest storylines to watch on election day include where John Cornyn stands after a $70 million to boost him, who the Democratic standard-bearer will be, and the race to succeed Ken Paxton.

This election day in Texas, much of the spotlight has focused on the state's two blockbuster primaries for U.S. Senate.

SEE FULL REPORT: Polls close Tuesday in the Texas primaries. Here are 5 things to watch.

As Primary Day in Texas inches closer, Houston area voters tell ABC13 what issues are driving them to the polls.

In the days leading up to Election Day, voters told ABC13 why they have and will continue to practice their civic duty.

"Why I am voting is that all of us here in the United States have the responsibility to make our voices heard," Steve Dorcheus said.

"Number one, getting paid, number two, schools, number three, protecting our community, and number four, which is the last one, is healthcare," Ingrid Fernandez said.

FULL REPORT: Houston area voters tell ABC13 what's important to them ahead of Primary Day