Two blockbuster Senate primaries dominated attention, chaos reigned in down-ballot races and an intense runoff season looms.
State Government
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2026 Texas Elections
Incumbents prevail in Texas legislative races amid proxy battles over casinos, tort reform
The most expensive state House primaries this cycle were proxy wars over issues including casinos, tort reform and a lingering battle between establishment Republicans and more hardline conservatives.
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2026 Texas Elections
Nate Sheets defeats three-term incumbent Sid Miller in GOP primary for Texas agriculture commissioner
Sheets’ campaign was boosted by major endorsements from Gov. Greg Abbott, Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and industry groups like the Texas Farm Bureau.
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2026 Texas Elections
Former state Sen. Don Huffines wins GOP primary for Texas comptroller
Huffines avoided a runoff in a big-money race against acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick to be the state’s chief financial officer.
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2026 Texas Elections
Bo French, Jim Wright head to runoff for seat on Texas Railroad Commission
The Texas Railroad Commission is responsible for regulating the state’s oil and gas industry. The election included a clash over China and diversity rules.
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2026 Texas Elections
For Texas’ highest courts, two Democratic races decided, one GOP race goes to runoff
Maggie Ellis and Kristen Hawkins win Texas Supreme Court Dem primaries. John Messinger wins his GOP race for Court of Criminal Appeals, while Alison Fox and Thomas Smith head to a runoff.
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Immigration
14 measles cases reported at El Paso ICE tent camp as Democrats call for its shuttering
The latest outbreak comes after a spate of COVID-19 and tuberculosis cases were reported at Camp East Montana, which holds more than 3,000 immigrants.
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Criminal Justice
Third victim of downtown Austin shooting dies
The three people killed by the suspected gunman were identified Monday. Thirteen people were injured in the Sunday shooting that the FBI called a “potential act of terrorism.”
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Criminal Justice
DA won’t refer police who killed Austin shooter to grand jury
Travis County District Attorney José Garza faced intense criticism over a policy that would have sent the officers before a grand jury, before he said his office would not seek charges against “heroes.”
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Health care
Texas law bans state-licensed mental health providers from giving gender-transitioning care to minors, AG Ken Paxton says
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion that says that a 2023 law that bans gender-transitioning medical care to minors also applies to mental health care.