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

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Last updated: Thursday, March 5, 2026 12:55PM GMT
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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.

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Mar 04, 2026, 2:05 PM GMT

Jasmine Crockett concedes to James Talarico in Texas Democratic Senate primary

With nearly 92% of the votes tallied, Jasmine Crockett conceded the Democratic primary in the Texas Senate race to James Talarico.

The congresswoman called on the party to unify behind the state representative, who clinched the nomination overnight.

"Texas is primed to turn blue, and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person," Crockett said in a statement. "This is about the future of all 30 million Texans and getting America back on track."

Crockett's campaign had previously suggested that she would file a lawsuit over voting challenges in the primary. A spokesperson did not immediately respond to a question about those plans.

Talarico will face the winner of the Republican runoff, either Sen. John Cornyn or state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Charly Edsitty Image
Mar 04, 2026, 12:32 PM GMT

Tight race for Montgomery County judge; Daniel Wong leads crowded Fort Bend County judge race

It's a close race for county judge in Montgomery County, with Republican Mark Keough expected to win.

The numbers show Keough has a very slim lead of just 1,500 votes over opponent Wayne Mack.

Meanwhile, in Harris County, Republican Orlando Sanchez leads that race, as does Democrat Annise Parker.

In Fort Bend County, it appears current Judge KP George will lose his seat, coming in last on the Republican ticket. Daniel Wong received 54% of the vote in a crowded race.

On the Democratic ticket, Dexter McCoy has the lead as we start looking ahead to the November midterms.

For news updates, follow Charly Edsitty on Facebook, X and Instagram.

ByTHOMAS BEAUMONT and WILL WEISSERT AP logo
Mar 04, 2026, 11:47 AM GMT

Talarico projected to win TX Senate Democratic nomination; Cornyn & Paxton head to Republican runoff

State Rep. James Talarico topped Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in Texas' closely watched Democratic Senate primary.

He'll face the winner of a May runoff for the Republican nomination between Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn and Paxton were the top finishers in a three-way contest Tuesday with Rep. Wesley Hunt.

No GOP candidate hit the 50% vote threshold needed to win outright. Texas, along with North Carolina and Arkansas, on Tuesday kicked off midterm elections with control of Congress at stake and against the backdrop of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

No Democrat has won a statewide race in the reliably Republican state in over 30 years, but in a statement after his victory, Talarico proclaimed, "We're about to take back Texas."

Crockett's campaign said she planned to sue over voting issues in Dallas, and she spoke only briefly on Tuesday night to warn that "people have been disenfranchised."

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Mar 04, 2026, 5:11 AM GMT

Several key races yet to be called, see live results coming in on ABC13.com

The showdown between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico continues as voting numbers across the state, including Harris County, keep coming in.

The race for CD-2 has yet to be called, as Steve Toth leads incumbent Dan Crenshaw.

Click here for ABC13's live election results all night.