Who Won the Election in Texas? Texas Election Results 2026

Published: March 4, 2026 | Texas Primary Election Night

Texas held its 2026 primary elections on March 3, 2026 — and the results were dramatic. A heated U.S. Senate race forced two Republicans into a runoff, Democrats picked their nominee to challenge Governor Greg Abbott, and several high-profile incumbents faced serious challenges. Here is a complete breakdown of every major race and what the results mean heading into November.

Quick Summary — Key Results at a Glance

1. U.S. Senate Race — The Biggest Race in Texas History

What Happened?

The Texas U.S. Senate primary was the single most expensive Senate primary ever recorded in American history. According to tracking firm AdImpact, over $122 million was spent on advertising alone between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and his MAGA challenger, Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Neither candidate cleared the 50% threshold required to win outright — meaning Texas Republicans will vote again in a May 26, 2026 runoff to decide who faces Democrat James Talarico in November.

Republican Side: Cornyn vs. Paxton — Going to a Runoff

Senator John Cornyn, seeking his fifth term and one of the longest-serving senators in Texas history, finished first in the Republican primary but could not secure a majority. Cornyn addressed supporters Tuesday night, saying he was "ready for the fight" against Paxton in May.

Attorney General Ken Paxton, the controversial MAGA firebrand, finished second and will face Cornyn in the May runoff. Paxton declared after the results came in: "We are not going to go quietly and we are not going to let you buy this seat" — a jab at Cornyn's massive fundraising advantage.

The race also included U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, who finished third and was eliminated.

Democratic Side: Talarico Defeats Crockett

In a nationally watched Democratic battle, State Rep. James Talarico defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, avoiding a runoff and clinching the Democratic nomination outright.

Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian and former teacher from Austin, ran as an underdog focused on grassroots organizing and critiques of billionaire influence in politics. His appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert went viral and sparked $2.5 million in fundraising almost overnight.

Crockett, a two-term congresswoman who had branded herself as a fierce anti-Trump fighter, had led in some polls and was seen as the frontrunner by some analysts. Her defeat came as a surprise to parts of the Democratic establishment.

Talarico will now wait to find out whether he faces Cornyn or Paxton in November — a race that could make history as Democrats have not won a statewide race in Texas since 1994.

2. Governor's Race — Abbott vs. Hinojosa in November

Republican: Greg Abbott Wins Easily

Incumbent Governor Greg Abbott — backed by President Donald Trump — won the Republican gubernatorial primary with over 83% of the vote, according to early results. Abbott is seeking a fourth term, which would make him one of the longest-serving governors in Texas history. The governor's race on the Republican side was never in doubt.

Democratic: Gina Hinojosa Wins Nomination

State Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin won the Democratic gubernatorial primary with nearly 59% of the vote, avoiding a runoff entirely. She defeated a crowded field that included former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell and several other candidates.

Hinojosa will face Abbott in the November general election. She becomes the Democratic standard-bearer in a race to flip the governor's mansion — a seat Democrats have not held since 1995. After her victory, Hinojosa said: "Tonight, working Texans sent a clear message: they're ready for change."

3. Attorney General Race — Republican Runoff

The Texas Attorney General Republican primary is heading to a May 26 runoff after no candidate won a majority. The top two finishers are:

• U.S. Rep. Chip Roy — conservative congressman
• State Sen. Mayes Middleton — conservative state senator

The two will face off in May. On the Democratic side, three candidates — Joe Jaworski, Nathan Johnson, and Tony Box — are vying for the nomination to challenge the eventual Republican winner in November.

4. Agriculture Commissioner — Upset of the Night

One of the biggest upsets of the evening came in the Agriculture Commissioner race. Businessman Nate Sheets, founder of the honey company Nature Nate's, unseated three-term incumbent Sid Miller in the Republican primary. Sheets was backed by Governor Greg Abbott and ran a well-funded campaign that outspent Miller.

Sheets will face Democrat Clayton Tucker, a rancher and founder of the Texas Progressive Caucus, in the November general election.

5. Congressional Races — Key Results

Dan Crenshaw Loses His Seat

In one of the most striking results of the night, four-term Rep. Dan Crenshaw was defeated by state Rep. Steve Toth in the Republican primary for his House district. The Associated Press projected Toth as the winner in a race that signals the continued shift of the Texas GOP toward its MAGA wing. Trump did not endorse in this race.

Other House Results

• Texas 22nd District (Republican): Trever Nehls — identical twin brother of Troy Nehls — won the Republican nomination.
• Texas 27th District (Republican): Michael Cloud won the Republican nomination.
• Texas 36th District (Republican): Brian Babin won the Republican nomination.

6. Voting Chaos — Dallas & Williamson Counties

Election night was not without controversy. A last-minute change in how Williamson County Republicans ran their primary — switching to precinct-specific voting locations — caused widespread confusion and redirected hundreds of voters away from their usual polling places.

A judge initially ordered polling hours extended by two hours in Dallas and Williamson counties. However, the Texas Supreme Court stayed that order after Attorney General Paxton appealed. The ruling came late in the evening, drawing criticism from Democratic candidates including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who told supporters results would likely not be known until Wednesday morning due to the confusion.

7. What Happens Next?

May 26, 2026 — Runoff Elections

Texas law requires any candidate to receive more than 50% of the vote to win a primary outright. Since neither Cornyn nor Paxton reached that threshold, and neither Roy nor Middleton did in the AG race, all four will face each other in head-to-head runoffs on May 26, 2026.

November 2026 — General Election

The general election will feature:

• U.S. Senate: James Talarico (D) vs. either John Cornyn or Ken Paxton (R)
• Governor: Greg Abbott (R) vs. Gina Hinojosa (D)
• Attorney General: Democratic nominee vs. either Chip Roy or Mayes Middleton (R)
• Agriculture Commissioner: Nate Sheets (R) vs. Clayton Tucker (D)

Redistricting Adds Complexity

Texas also completed a controversial mid-decade redistricting process — encouraged by President Trump — that redraws congressional maps. Democrats challenged the effort but were unsuccessful in the courts. The new maps are expected to favor Republicans in several previously competitive districts, posing challenges for Democratic incumbents including 11-term Rep. Al Green.

8. What Does It All Mean?

For Republicans

The GOP's internal divide between the establishment wing (Cornyn) and the MAGA insurgency (Paxton) is very much alive. The May 26 runoff will be a defining test of whether Trump-aligned populism can unseat even deeply entrenched Republican incumbents. Paxton's base is energized, but Cornyn's money and establishment backing give him a significant structural advantage.

For Democrats

James Talarico's win over Jasmine Crockett signals that Texas Democrats are betting on a candidate who can win over independents and disaffected Republicans — rather than purely mobilizing the base. Whether that strategy can break the party's 30+ year statewide losing streak remains the central question of 2026 Texas politics.

National Implications

Texas is the second-largest state in the country. A competitive Senate race and a Democratic gubernatorial challenge — regardless of the likely outcome — will draw massive national spending and attention. The Texas results also come against the backdrop of the Trump administration's first year, with voters nationwide beginning to weigh in on midterm sentiment.

Summary — Everything You Need to Know

• Texas primary held: March 3, 2026
• U.S. Senate (R): Cornyn and Paxton headed to May 26 runoff — most expensive Senate primary in history at $122M+
• U.S. Senate (D): James Talarico defeated Jasmine Crockett — advances to November
• Governor (R): Greg Abbott won easily with 83%+ — seeks record 4th term
• Governor (D): Gina Hinojosa won with ~59% — faces Abbott in November
• AG (R): Chip Roy vs. Mayes Middleton in May runoff
• Agriculture Commissioner: Nate Sheets upset 3-term incumbent Sid Miller
• Dan Crenshaw loses: 4-term congressman defeated by Steve Toth
• Voting controversy: Dallas and Williamson counties saw chaos over precinct-only voting locations; Texas Supreme Court blocked extended hours
• What's next: May 26 runoffs, then November general election

Sources: Associated Press, CBS News, ABC News, NBC News, CNN, Fox 7 Austin, Texas Tribune. Results updated as of early morning March 4, 2026. Some races remain uncalled.