Texas primary elections

Texas has high‑stakes primaries at every level of the ballot, with both parties navigating internal divides and shifting political terrain ahead of November.

State Rep. James Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian and former teacher, emerged victorious against two-term US Rep. Jasmine Crockett in a competitive Democratic primary for US Senate that featured a clash of styles and strategy as Democrats try to win statewide for the first time since 1994. Talarico discussed the need to also draw in independents and Republicans who have soured on their party leaders, while Crockett, who has branded herself as a fighter against President Donald Trump and Republicans, aimed to activate the state’s Democratic base.

On the Republican side, longtime Sen. John Cornyn is in the fight of his political life, advancing to a runoff against Attorney General Ken Paxton after a three-way race that also included US Rep. Wesley Hunt. Tens of millions of dollars in advertising poured into the primary with more surely to be spent on a runoff on May 26, as establishment Republicans worry a win by Paxton could make it harder to hold the seat in November given his history of controversies.

Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking a fourth term and hoping to become the state’s longest serving chief executive. He easily advanced to November against several primary challengers, where he’ll be favored. Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa was one of dozens of state legislators who temporary left Texas in 2025 seeking to block the GOP’s push to redraw the state’s congressional map. She won the Democratic nomination and is making a longshot bid for the state’s highest office.