The Austin lawmaker now faces an uphill battle against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the state’s second-highest executive, in November.
Politics
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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
Mayes Middleton defeats Chip Roy for Texas attorney general GOP nomination
Middleton, a conservative state senator and oil and gas executive, put more than $16 million of his own money into the race.
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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
Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texas’ highest criminal court
The all-Republican Court of Criminal Appeals has undergone extensive turnover since AG Ken Paxton began targeting incumbent judges.
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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 2026 primary runoff election results for U.S. Senate, attorney general and more
Follow The Texas Tribune’s coverage of election results for the 2026 primary runoffs for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, attorney general, the Texas Legislature and other races.