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

KTRK logo
Last updated: Thursday, March 5, 2026 12:55PM GMT
ABC13 Houston 24/7 Live Stream

It's Your Voice, Your Vote.

Tuesday's Texas primary election saw the highest turnout in the state's history.

On the ballot were local and statewide races, including the race to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate.

ABC13 is following the victories, the losses, and what's ahead for the candidates facing runoffs.

May's election will see a Paxton and Cornyn showdown, while Al Green will face off against Christian Menefee.

If you missed your chance to vote in this past election, you may now register to vote in the next primary, which will take place on May 26.

The last day to register for May's runoff races is Monday, April 27, 2026.

AP logo
Mar 04, 2026, 3:42 AM GMT

Gina Hinojosa wins Democratic nomination for governor in Texas primary election, AP projects

Gina Hinojosa wins Democratic nomination for governor in Texas primary election.

Hinojosa will face Gov. Greg Abbott in the upcoming November election.

ByThomas Beaumont and Will Weissert AP logo
Mar 04, 2026, 3:17 AM GMT

Texas GOP Sen. Cornyn tries to hold his seat while Democrats Crockett, Talarico face off for Senate

Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn is trying to hold on to a fifth term in Tuesday's GOP primary, while Democrats will choose between Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico for a November general election, where the party once again hopes it has a chance.

Cornyn faces a challenge from MAGA favorite Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in a contest expected to advance to a May runoff. The three Republicans campaigned on their ties to Trump, who has not endorsed in the race.

Crockett and Talarico each argue that they are the stronger general-election candidates in a state that backed Trump by almost 14 percentage points in 2024 and where a Democrat hasn't won a statewide race in over 30 years.

A supporter of Texas state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, wears a Texas state flag in their hat during a primary election watch party Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
A supporter of Texas state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, wears a Texas state flag in their hat during a primary election watch party Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Austin, Texas.

Cornyn fights to hold seat

Cornyn is hoping to avoid becoming the first Republican senator in Texas history not to be renominated.

His cool relationship with Trump is part of what makes Cornyn vulnerable. He and allied groups have spent at least $64 million in television advertising alone since July to try stabilize his support.

Paxton began campaigning in earnest only last month. He's made national headlines for filing lawsuits against Democratic initiatives. He remained popular in Texas despite a 2023 impeachment trial on corruption charges, of which he was acquitted, and accusations of marital infidelity by his wife.

All three Republicans have run ads boasting of their coziness with Trump. But Senate GOP leaders, who are backing Cornyn, worry that Paxton's liabilities would make it harder to defend the seat if he is the nominee - and require significant spending that could be better used elsewhere.

Hunt's entry into the race in October made it trickier for any primary candidate to win at least 50%, the threshold needed to avoid a May 26 runoff.

Stylistic opposites vie for Democrats' Senate nomination

Crockett and Talarico have waged a spirited race as Democrats look for their first Senate win in Texas since 1988.

Talarico, a seminarian who often references the Bible, has held rallies across the state, including in heavily Republican areas. Crockett has built a national profile for zinger attacks on Republicans and has focused on turning out Black voters in the Dallas and Houston areas.

Tanu Sani, who cast a Democratic ballot in Dallas, said she'd been undecided until recently but opted for Talarico because he "really spoke to me in the way he tries to unify."

Andrew Kern, another Democratic voter in Texas, explained his support of Talarico similarly, describing "an approach that's bridging some of the divisiveness."

Tomas Sanchez, a voter in Dallas County, said he supports Crockett because "she cares about immigrants, she cares about the American people in a way that a lot of the Republicans have proven they haven't."

Talarico had outspent Crockett on television advertising by more than four to one as of late February. He got a burst of attention - and campaign contributions - last month from CBS' decision not to air his interview with late-night host Stephen Colbert, who said the network pulled the interview for fear of angering Trump's FCC.

AP logo
Mar 04, 2026, 2:40 AM GMT

Nehls, Weber, Babin, and Cloud win Republican nominations for U.S. House, AP projects

Trever Nehls wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Texas' 22nd Congressional District.

Texas's 22nd congressional district of the United States House of Representatives covers Brazoria County, most of Fort Bend County, and parts of west Harris County.

Randy Weber wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Texas' 14th Congressional District.

Texas's 14th congressional district of the United States House of Representatives covers parts of Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, and Orange counties.

Brian Babin wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Texas' 36th Congressional District.

Texas's 36th congressional district of the United States House of Representatives covers Chambers County and parts of the Brazos County.

Michael Cloud wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Texas' 27th Congressional District.

Texas's 27th congressional district of the United States House of Representatives covers Matagorda, Wharton, Jackson, Austin, and Washington counties.

AP logo
Mar 04, 2026, 2:30 AM GMT

Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick win Republican nominations for governor in primary election, AP projects

Greg Abbott has won the Republican nomination for Governor, and Dan Patrick the one for Lieutenant Governor in the Texas primary election, AP projects.

Abbott has served in the role since 2015. Patrick has served since 2014.