The attorney general fundraised with Republican senators and met with rival-turned-ally John Thune, the Senate majority leader who had backed Sen. John Cornyn.
Congress
Read the latest Texas Tribune coverage of Congress, from the state’s lawmakers in Washington to key legislation and political debates shaping Texas and the nation.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Outside spending blitz defined the close of Texas’ District 35 Democratic runoff
To counter what appeared to be a GOP push to elevate Maureen Galindo, who’d voiced antisemitic stereotypes, national Democrats carpet-bombed the San Antonio area with $1.7 million worth of ads.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas Democrats
Johnson succeeded Allred in Congress, but Republican redistricting pushed them into an unusual primary confrontation for the 33rd Congressional District.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Democrat Johnny Garcia to face Republican Carlos De La Cruz for redrawn Texas district
The boundaries of the 35th Congressional District in South Central Texas were redrawn in 2025 to favor GOP candidates as requested by President Trump.
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2026 Texas Elections
Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn for U.S. Senate GOP nomination
The attorney general’s victory is a crushing blow to the Texas GOP’s old guard, which has faltered in recent years against the Paxton-led insurgent wing.
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2026 Texas Elections
Tom Sell, Jon Bonck win open GOP primary runoffs for solidly red congressional seats
With their Republican nominations in hand, the two are favored to win their GOP-leaning seats in November to replace outgoing Reps. Jodey Arrington and Wesley Hunt.
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2026 Texas Elections
Alex Mealer wins GOP nomination for new Houston congressional district, defeating state Rep. Briscoe Cain
The Army veteran was endorsed by President Donald Trump and saw millions in outside spending on her behalf. Cain, meanwhile, was backed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
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2026 Texas Elections
“The last of the gentlemen Republicans”: John Cornyn’s four-decade political career ends with a MAGA uprising
A former state Supreme Court justice, Texas attorney general and a four-term U.S. senator, Cornyn had held on in the Republican Party as it transformed from the party of Bush, to the Tea Party movement and eventually the dominion of Trump.
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2026 Texas Elections
Christian Menefee defeats longtime Houston Rep. Al Green in Texas’ new 18th Congressional District
Green’s loss means the Texas House delegation is losing one of its most senior members, who served more than 20 years in Congress.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas’ raucous primary runoffs end today. Here’s what to watch.
John Cornyn is trying to fend off Ken Paxton. Both parties are picking attorney general nominees. And an oil and gas regulatory race has become uncharacteristically costly.
