Texas will host a slate of high-profile primary runoff races Tuesday, with Republicans and Democrats alike eyeing the Lone Star State as a major battleground ahead of the midterm elections.Several races advanced to runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary, the first major nominating contest of the 2026 cycle. The contests could carry national implications. Texas will be ground zero for the Democratic Party’s efforts to reconnect with Hispanic voters after President Donald Trump made inroads with the group in 2024. Democrats are also hopeful that Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico can be competitive in the general and flip the seat.
Here’s what to watch:
John Cornyn vs. Ken Paxton
Four-term Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will face off in the most closely watched Republican runoff in the country. The bruising battle only escalated further after President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton last week.
Trump’s endorsement was widely viewed as a major breakthrough for Paxton after both candidates spent months courting the president’s support. Cornyn led the March primary with 42% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Paxton’s 40.5%.
