Cornyn and Paxton will advance to Texas primary runoff, CNN projects; Talarico leads Crockett

Bobby Pulido takes a photo with a supporter during his campaign kickoff event in Edinburg Texas, on December 15, 2025.

Tejano singer Bobby Pulido will win the Democratic primary for Texas’ 15th District, CNN projects, defeating emergency room physician Ada Cuellar.

Pulido will face two-term GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz in November in his bid to flip control of a deeply Republican district.

National Democrats view Pulido, the son of a migrant farm worker turned Latin Grammy Award-winning artist, as giving them their best shot at competing in the seat due to his fame and his socially conservative profile.

Cuellar, who campaigned with Democratic Senate candidate Jasmine Crockett, painted Pulido as the establishment’s pick and blasted him over his personal opposition to abortion. Pulido has said that he doesn’t support the state’s near-total abortion ban.

The district, a roughly 250-mile-long strip that stretches from outside San Antonio down to the US border with Mexico, was redrawn last year by Texas Republicans as part of a push to net the party as many as five additional US House seats. President Donald Trump would have won the district on its current lines by 18 percentage points in 2024.

Talarico campaign thinking "thrilled" with performance, but treading carefully.

02:35 • Source: CNN

Talarico campaign thinking "thrilled" with performance, but treading carefully.

02:35

The campaign of Democratic primary candidate James Talarico is “thrilled” with its performance across Texas and “confident of victory,” an adviser tells CNN.

But it is mindful of treading carefully as Rep. Jasmine Crockett suggested voters were disenfranchised and a winner couldn’t be projected tonight.

The Talarico campaign is balancing two things, the adviser said: Seizing the moment and not making it more difficult to unify the party after tonight.

Sen. John Cornyn, left, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will advance to a May 26 runoff in the state’s Republican primary for US Senate, CNN’s Decision Desk projects, extending an expensive and divisive clash that has drawn wide national attention.

As he seeks a fifth term in the Senate, Cornyn is facing the greatest pressure of his political career over his standing in the GOP and his perceived loyalty to President Donald Trump. Paxton’s checkered personal history presents its own complications.

Neither Cornyn nor Paxton will surpass the 50% needed in Tuesday’s primary to avoid a runoff. US Rep. Wesley Hunt, who launched a Senate bid in October, will not advance.

Trump did not endorse a candidate prior to today’s primary.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett speaks during a primary election watch party in Dallas, on Tuesday.

Democratic Senate candidate Jasmine Crockett is criticizing the voter confusion in Dallas County and legal wrangling over ballot deadlines.

“I can tell you now that people have been disenfranchised,” Crockett said, addressing her election night watch party.

Voters in Dallas County reported being turned away from polling places amid confusion over new Election Day rules that separated Democratic and Republican voters. Democrats requested and initially received an extension from a judge to extend voting by two hours.

But the Texas Supreme Court late Tuesday stayed the court order, ruling that any votes cast by people not in line at 8 p.m. ET should be separated. A spokesperson for Dallas County said those ballots have been kept separate.

“I have no idea how it is the clerks are going to know who was in line by what time. Because the rule is that if you’re in line by 7, then you get to vote,” Crockett said.

And she told the crowd, “I want you to enjoy yourselves. But I won’t be back tonight because I have no idea of when we’re going to get results, and I fully anticipate it won’t be until tomorrow.”

Chip Roy, left, and Mayes Middleton.

The Republican primary for attorney general in Texas will advance to a May 26 runoff between state Sen. Mayes Middleton and Rep. Chip Roy, CNN projects.

No candidate in the four-person primary to succeed Ken Paxton will meet the 50% threshold of support needed to avoid a runoff. Middleton and Roy topped the GOP field over the two other candidates in the race: state Sen. Joan Huffman and Aaron Reitz, who had Paxton’s endorsement.

Middleton, who leads a Texas oil company, has run closely to President Donald Trump’s agenda, labeling himself as “MAGA Mayes.” He’s poured millions of his personal fortune into the race. His critics have highlighted his lack of legal experience as he vied to become the state’s top lawyer.

Roy, a four-term congressman, previously served as chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz, who endorsed Roy’s run for attorney general. Roy, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has challenged his party leadership on Capitol Hill and has at times been critical of President Donald Trump.

Texas state Rep. Gina Hinojosa speaks during a rally in support of Rep. Jasmine Crockett's campaign for Senate, in San Antonio, Texas, on February 22.

Texas State Rep. Gina Hinojosa will win the Democratic primary for governor, CNN projects.

Hinojosa will face long odds as she tries to become the first Democrat to win statewide in Texas since 1994. On the Republican side, Gov. Greg Abbott is vying to become the first four-term governor in state history.

Hinojosa, first elected to the state legislature representing a district in Austin in 2017, has highlighted her work securing funding for Texas schools.

She was also one of dozens of Democratic state representatives who fled the state last August to stall the passage of Texas Republicans’ new congressional maps by denying the legislature the quorum needed to conduct business. The maps were eventually enacted after enough Democrats returned to the state.

Voters line up to vote in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday.

CNN has just made some projections in key primary races in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas.

Here’s what you need to know:

North Carolina:

Texas:

Arkansas:

Supporters of James Talarico react during a primary election watch party in Austin, on Tuesday.

The anticipation is building among supporters of James Talarico, who are gathered at Emo’s – normally a live music venue in Austin, transformed into a political watch party tonight.

Throughout the evening, cheers rose from the crowd every time Talarico’s lead appeared on big screens at the front of the room. His competitive fight with Rep. Jasmine Crockett kept voters on edge into the the final hours of the Democratic Senate primary here.

Talarico is following the results closely, aides said, particularly heartened by what he believes is a strong showing among Hispanic voters in Texas. Supporters are awaiting a call in the race and Talarico to address the crowd.

An attendee's "I voted" sticker is seen at a watch party for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton in Dallas, Texas, on Tuesday.

The Texas Supreme Court late Tuesday stayed an earlier court order that extended voting in Dallas County by two hours, ruling that any votes cast by people not in line at 8 p.m. ET should be separated.

That appears to be an early setback for Democrats who sought to extend poll hours following confusion over voting locations in this populous county.

Nicholas Solorzano, a spokesman for the Dallas County Elections Department, said anyone who voted during the extended hours did do with provisional ballots, allowing officials to set those ballots aside if needed.

It’s not immediately clear how many ballots were cast provisionally.

Police bag magazines of ammunition after arresting a man outside of a watch party for Ken Paxton, in Dallas, on Tuesday.

Dallas, TX – An individual was arrested Tuesday night outside the Dallas hotel where Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is holding his primary election night party, according to the Dallas Police Department.

It’s unclear if the individual was attempting to enter the Paxton event. The Paxton campaign did not immediately have information about the incident and directed CNN to Dallas police.

Dallas police were notified of “a suspicious individual” Tuesday night that “entered a vehicle that did not display a proper license plate and left the area,” Dallas Police spokesperson Sr. Cpl. Melinda Gutierrez said in a statement provided to CNN.

After a traffic stop and search of the vehicle, officers found ammunition, Gutierrez said.

The individual was arrested for “traffic violations” and brought to police headquarters, according to Gutierrez.

“The investigation remains ongoing,” Gutierrez said.

A witness told CNN they spoke to the individual before he was arrested and he had identified himself as a delivery driver. He had entered the hotel wearing some camouflage gear, a hat and glasses, the witness said.

Later, Gutierrez said in a new statement, “After being interviewed, investigators determined the individual was at the location to make a delivery to an employee. He was transported to the Dallas County Jail without incident. His name will not be released until he is officially booked in.”

Democratic candidate for US Senate Roy Cooper speaks next to his wife, Kristin Cooper, at a Democrat watch party in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Roy Cooper pitched himself as the candidate for change in his primary race victory speech Tuesday night, while blasting his Republican opponent as a “DC Insider” in his first speech after winning the Democratic nomination for US Senate in North Carolina.

“I’ve never been in a race that is this crucial for North Carolina and for the country and I need all of you to get this job done,” Cooper, a former two-term governor, told the crowd of party officials and supporters in Raleigh.

Cooper, who has never lost a race in a nearly 40 year political career, delivered a speech Tuesday that mirrored much of what we’ve heard on the campaign trail so far, centering issues of affordability and painting himself as an outsider who will provide a check on an “out of touch” Washington.

Cooper cast his Republican opponent, former Republican National Committee and North Carolina GOP chairman Michael Whatley, as “an out of touch DC insider and big oil lobbyist, who’s only looking out for himself and his well-connected friends in Washington.”

Cooper also acknowledged the deadly past few days for US military members.

“I also want to take a moment to share my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of our military members who were killed in the Iran war. Our brave men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to keep our country safe. And I am deeply grateful to them and their families,” said Cooper.

Hallie Shoffner stands for a portrait on April 11, 2025, in the building that housed her family farm's cotton gin in Shoffner, Arkansas.

Democrat Hallie Shoffner will win her primary for US Senate in Arkansas, CNN’s Decision Desk projects.

Shoffner, a farmer and political newcomer who campaigned on lowering costs and protecting health care, will beat Lewistown Mayor Ethan Dunbar. Shoffner cited the “heartbreaking” decision to close her family’s farm after six generations as inspiration for her run.

She will face GOP Sen. Tom Cotton in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat statewide since 2010.

Rep. Fred Love at the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2014.

Arkansas State Sen. Fred Love will win the Democratic primary for governor, CNN projects.

He will face Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was unopposed in the Republican primary, in November.

Sanders, who served as President Donald Trump’s press secretary in his first term and is the daughter of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, is seeking a second term in the deep-red state.

Love focused his campaign on affordability and healthcare access. He’s also said he would eliminate Sanders’ school voucher program.

Love will beat Supha Xayprasith-Mays, a businesswoman who also ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2022.

North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley speaks at a primary election night watch party in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Republican Michael Whatley praised President Donald Trump’s second term and blasted his Democratic opponent, former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, after he was projected to win the state’s Republican Senate primary.

“I want to thank President Donald J. Trump for his strong and unwavering support in this race,” Whatley told supporters after the race was called. “His leadership has changed our country, and I am proud to stand with him in the fight to secure our border, to strengthen our economy and put America first.”

Whatley, who served as Republican National Committee chairman during Trump’s 2024 campaign, launched his campaign last July with the president’s endorsement.

Whatley previewed the arguments he will make against Cooper on crime and cost-of-living issues, and pitched himself as a strong ally of the president and his agenda.

“The election is a choice: a choice between leadership that stands with working families or a choice for career politicians who prioritize radical special interests from California and New York,” Whatley said.

The projected Republican nominee also called the race a choice between “a conservative champion for North Carolina who will be an ally for President Trump” or “a champion for the failed policies of the left.”

President Donald Trump stops to speak to the media as he departs the White House on February 27.

President Donald Trump has endorsed candidates in 10 open House Republican primaries in Texas.

Trump has endorsed candidates in all five Texas districts redrawn to favor Republicans. He hasn’t endorsed any other Republicans in Democratic-held districts.

· Alex Mealer – TX-09

· Tano Tijerina – TX-28

· Jace Yarbrough – TX-32

· Eric Flores – TX-34

· Carlos De La Cruz – TX-35

He’s also endorsed Republicans in five races with departing Republican incumbents.

· Jessica Steinmann – TX-08

· Chris Gober – TX-10

· Mark Teixeira – TX-21

· Trever Nehls – TX-22

· John Bonck – TX-38

The president also endorsed all Republican incumbents running for reelection – including embattled Rep. Tony Gonzales – with one exception: Rep. Dan Crenshaw in the 2nd District, who’s facing a primary challenge from State Rep. Steve Toth.

Sen. Tom Cotton walks through the basement of the US Capitol on February 10.

Sen. Tom Cotton will win the Republican primary for US Senate in Arkansas, CNN’s Decision Desk projects.

Cotton will beat two challengers and, in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat statewide since 2010, will be favored to keep his seat for a third term in November.

First elected to the Senate in 2014, Cotton is now the chamber’s Republican conference chairman. In that time, he’s made a name for himself as a staunch ally of the president on issues like immigration, crime and spending policy.

Roy Cooper, left, and Michael Whatley.

North Carolina voters advanced Democrat Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley to the November race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. This matchup, which could decide control of the Senate, will be an expensive and closely watched contest.

Both were recruited by their respective party leaders. Cooper is a former two-term North Carolina governor and Whatley served as Republican National Committee chairman during President Donald Trump’s successful 2024 campaign.

At stake for the Democratic Party: Democrats must net four seats in November to take control of the US Senate and will almost certainly need to flip Tillis’ seat to get there. Republicans are confident that Whatley can run on the strength of his endorsement from Trump in a state the president won three times. North Carolina hasn’t elected a Democrat to the US Senate since Kay Hagan in 2008.

Democrats are cautiously optimistic that they could flip Tillis’ seat, and this hope is anchored to their candidate.

“It’s not just that Roy Cooper has never lost a race in 40 years, he’s overcome a Republican-leaning electorate to win a statewide election six times,” Larken Egleston, a three-time DNC delegate and consultant from The Southern Group, told CNN. “He has damn near 100 percent name ID. It’s going to be hard for Republicans – and you can see them having difficulties already – to turn him into a caricature. For better or for worse, whether people like Roy or not, North Carolina knows him.”

While he may not be as well known, Republicans believe Whatley will be able to hold onto the seat. He is endorsed by and has a close relationship with Trump. Republicans say that’s important to their base.

Rep. Chip Roy attends a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on January 14.

US Rep. Chip Roy of Texas is running in the Republican primary for state attorney general tonight. He’s one of more than 30 GOP members planning to leave the US House, many of them seeking other offices.

Some 15 members (eight Republicans, seven Democrats) are running for Senate. A whopping 10 Republicans and one Democrat are running for governor, the Republican number being the most who have run from either party in available data compiled by CNN dating back to 1974.

In total, 52 House members overall have said they were not running for another term, whether due to ambitions for offices outside the House or because they are retiring. The number of House Republicans leaving, 31 so far, is the second highest on record, only coming behind the 2018 record of 34 Republicans, according to data from the Brookings Institution dating back to 1930.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks with President Donald Trump during the National Governors Association Evening Dinner and Reception in the East Room of the White House on February 21.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will win the Republican primary for governor, CNN projects, as he goes for a historic fourth gubernatorial bid in the Lone Star State.

In a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat statewide since 1994, Abbott, who has amassed more than $100 million for his campaign, will be favored in November. He is vying to become Texas’ first governor to be elected to four terms. Midway through a new term, he would also become the state’s longest-serving governor in history.

Abbott highlights his relationship with President Donald Trump in his campaign ads, a relationship that’s earned him national attention as he’s led the party on issues like immigration and redistricting.

Polls in far West Texas, including El Paso, are now closing after voting locations across most of the state closed at 8 p.m. ET.

The western locations are in a different time zone.

However, voting will continue until 10 p.m. ET in the Democratic precincts in Dallas County after officials extended voting by two hours due to confusion among voters about correct polling locations.