As the Texas primary moves into its final frenzy, early voting in Dallas County is surging – and Democrats are leading the way.
In the first five days, 93,079 primary voters in both parties have cast ballots in Dallas County, more than double the 38,867 during the same period in the 2024 primary.
Of that overall county tally, Democrats have accounted for 70,151 votes, and Republicans at 22,928.
Democratic turnout already has eclipsed its full five-day total of 22,805 from 2024. Republicans also are outpacing their previous early count of 16,062 that year.
Political Points
Dallas is a traditional blue county. Even so, Democrats say the turnout spike in the runup to the March 3 primary reflects more than the usual partisan edge.
Among the reasons: voter anger at President Donald Trump, a competitive Senate race featuring hometown candidate Jasmine Crockett and contested congressional and local primaries.
Early voting ends Friday. While turnout is climbing, the ballot is crowded and complicated. What else to watch:
Who shows up?
The Democratic Senate race between Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin may hinge on their appeal to key party groups.
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Crockett has a huge advantage with Black voters and would benefit if they flood the polls.
Gwen Crockett kisses her daughter and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate, on the cheek after voting at Oak Lawn Branch Library on the first day of early voting, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
Talarico is winning white voters, especially men, and early polling suggests he has traction among Latinos.
Women, often a reliable Democratic constituency, could play a big role.
Solid pre-primary polling has been limited, leaving campaigns to try to take advantage of any public edge.
Talarico gained fresh attention after his interview with talk show host Stephen Colbert was posted online, drawing millions of views. Crockett enters the final days with broad name recognition and strong online presence.
Texas state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, center, walks with his mother Tamara Talarico, left, and father Mark Talarico, right, after they voted in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Eric Gay / AP
Governor endorsements
After a 2024 primary season in which he helped oust eight GOP House members who blocked his private school voucher plan, Gov. Greg Abbott is again flexing his political muscle.
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This time, the results may be different in key races in which he’s at odds with other Republicans.
In the primary for comptroller, Abbott has endorsed former state Sen. Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills against former state Sen. Don Huffines and Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick.
Abbott appointed Hancock as acting comptroller and has been central in Hancock’s TV ads. Huffines challenged Abbott in the 2022 GOP gubernatorial primary, setting up a rivalry that still lingers.
State Sen. Kelly Hancock (left) speaks alongside Gov. Greg Abbott after meeting with local business leaders at Advance Chemical Logistics in Richland Hills, Texas Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Elias Valverde II / Staff Photographer
In another statewide race, Abbott is backing businessman Nate Sheets for agriculture commissioner over longtime incumbent Sid Miller.
Abbott has blasted Miller as unfit for office. Miller has dismissed the attacks and defended his record.
Drama in Dallas
The Democratic primary for the 33rd Congressional District in Dallas County largely is a showdown between former Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas and Rep. Julie Johnson of Farmers Branch.
U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch, and former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, are competing in the Democratic primary for Congressional District 33. This is a composite of images by Chitose Suzuki and Azul Sordo.
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Allred and Johnson have sparred over ethics and policy, with Allred targeting her stock trades and voting record, and Johnson defending her financial disclosures and accusing him of undermining her leadership.
Attorney Zeeshan Hafeez, who is running for election in Texas’ 33rd Congressional District, speaks during the League of United Latin American Citizens’ Chorizo & Menudo community breakfast at El Ranchito on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Dallas.
Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer
Zeeshan Hafeez, a technology executive, is running an aggressive, albeit underfunded bid that might push the race into a runoff.
Hafeez has been campaigning with Dallas minister Frederick Haynes III, who is running to replace Crockett in the 30th Congressional District.
Crowded GOP race
Nine candidates are vying for the GOP nomination in Congressional District 32, stretching from Carrollton nearly to Longview.
Once a Democratic stronghold, the district was redrawn to favor Republicans and is expected to flip back to the GOP, though it has not drawn major Republican heavyweights.
Top contenders include Jace Yarbrough, a lawyer who sports an endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Among others: Ryan Binkley, a businessman and founder of Create Church, a Christian church in Richardson, who ran for president in 2024, and Darrell Day, a businessman who was the party nominee in 2024, losing to Johnson.
Zombie candidates
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth and Andrew White of Houston suspended their campaigns, but are haunting the Democratic races they left.
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Veasey is popular in the Fort Worth area, and according to social media accounts, some residents have voted for him for county judge – the office he filed for but then dropped out. It was too late to remove his name from the ballot.
Commissioner Alisa Simmons listens during a Tarrant County Commissioners Court meeting Feb. 10, 2026, in Fort Worth.
Maria Crane / Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
White, a Houston businessman and son of former Gov. Mark White, initially joined the race for governor but then suspended his bid and endorsed state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin. Former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell and Quitman rancher Bobby Cole also are on the ballot.
If Veasey wins March 3, Tarrant County precinct chairs would elect the nominee.
Now, Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons is considered the Democratic frontrunner against Millennium Anton C. Woods, a private contractor. The winner will face Republican incumbent Tim O’Hare.