Trending Now - Texas Senate Primary Highlights GOP Struggles and Democratic Challenges
WHO:
Incumbent Senator John Cornyn (Republican, Texas)
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (Republican)
U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt (Republican, TX-38)
U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett (Democrat, TX-30)
State Representative James Talarico (Democrat)
President Donald Trump
Governor Greg Abbott (Republican, Texas)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan "Raizin" Caine
Former Vice President Kamala Harris
Turning Point USA (organization)
Chip Roy (Republican, Texas, seeking state attorney general)
Gina Hinojosa (Democrat, state representative)
WHAT:
Texas primary election for the Senate is taking place on March 3, 2026.
John Cornyn is seeking his fifth consecutive term.
Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt are competing against Cornyn in the Republican primary.
Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico are competing in the Democratic primary.
Over $122 million has been spent on ad spending in the Senate primary, making it the "most expensive Senate primary on record."
Trump has not endorsed any candidate in the Senate race.
Cornyn has spent $64 million on television advertising since July 2025.
The primary is expected to advance to a runoff on May 26, 2026.
Trump won Texas by almost 14 percentage points in the 2024 election.
WHERE:
Texas
Locations mentioned include Corpus Christi, Dallas, and Houston.
Texas' 23rd Congressional District and 34th District are highlighted.
WHEN:
Primary election date: March 3, 2026.
Runoff election date: May 26, 2026.
Trump’s Operation Epic Fury was initiated on March 2, 2026.
Cornyn was on Air Force One when Trump ordered the strike on Iran.
WHY:
The primary is significant as it reflects the GOP's internal divisions and the Democrats' hopes to gain a Senate seat in Texas for the first time in decades.
Redistricting in Texas was influenced by Trump to help Republicans gain House seats.
The ongoing war with Iran has heightened the stakes of the election.
HOW:
Candidates are campaigning on their ties to Trump and their records of support for his policies.
Cornyn and Paxton have engaged in a contentious primary battle, trading accusations and criticisms.
Talarico has focused on outreach to Trump voters and rural communities, while Crockett emphasizes her "fighter" mentality.
The election is being closely monitored due to its implications for control of Congress.
The Texas primary election for the Senate took place yesterday, with incumbent Senator John Cornyn seeking his fifth consecutive term against challengers Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt in the Republican primary, while Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico are also vying for their party's nomination. This primary has become the most expensive on record, with over $122 million spent on advertising, and it’s expected to advance to a runoff on May 26, 2026. Notably, Trump has not endorsed any candidate in this heated race, which reflects the GOP's internal divisions and the Democrats' hopes of gaining a Senate seat in Texas for the first time in decades.