Election signs decorate the sidewalk at the Ben Hur Shrine polling place in Austin as early voting begins for the March primary elections in Texas, Feb. 17, 2026. Voters can cast their ballots to decide who represents Republicans and Democrats in the November midterm elections.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
If you’re trying to figure out where power in Texas may actually shift in the 2026 primaries, start here.
The Republican U.S. Senate showdown between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton — with Wesley Hunt in the mix — is the defining Republican battle of the cycle, pitting establishment experience against hardline, base-first politics in a race that could reshape the GOP’s direction.
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Democrats have their own high-profile U.S. Senate matchup between U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico, a contest that will test the party’s strategy for winning statewide heading into November.
Below that, the open Texas attorney general race is flashing signs of a possible runoff. Two other Republican-held U.S. House seats — Districts 10 and 21 — are also being decided. And in Travis County, Democratic commissioner primaries will help determine control over transportation, criminal justice policy and county spending.
These are the contests that will decide who governs — and how — in Texas after 2026.
Live updates: Austin-area voters head to polls in 2026 Texas primary election
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Republican Senate primary: John Cornyn vs. Ken Paxton vs. Wesley Hunt
Incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is challenged by Attorney General Ken Paxton and Congressman Wesley Hunt in the Republican Senate primary.
Mikala Compton, Austin American-Statesman
Incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is challenged by Attorney General Ken Paxton and Congressman Wesley Hunt in the Republican Senate primary.
Mikala Compton, Austin American-Statesman
The biggest race on the ballot is the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
John Cornyn, first elected in 2002, is a longtime incumbent and former Texas attorney general who also served as Senate Republican whip.
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He’s challenged by Paxton, Texas attorney general since 2015, and one of the most polarizing figures in state politics. Paxton survived a 2023 impeachment trial in the Texas Senate and continues to face scrutiny tied to past legal and ethics issues.
Hunt, a Houston-area congressman and military veteran, entered the race later, complicating the anti-Paxton lane and reshaping the dynamics.
Cornyn allies argue he’s the safer general election bet. Paxton’s backers counter that a more combative nominee would energize the Republican base, even if it carries added controversy.
Five lesser-known candidates are also running: John O. Adefope, Anna Bender, Virgil John Bierschwale, Sara Canady and Gulrez “Gus” Khan.
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Democratic Senate primary: Jasmine Crockett vs. James Talarico
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (left) and James Talarico (right) are vying for votes in the Democratic Senate primary.
LM Otero, Associated Press/Mikala Compton, Austin American-Statesman
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (left) and James Talarico (right) are vying for votes in the Democratic Senate primary.
LM Otero, Associated Press/Mikala Compton, Austin American-Statesman
On the Democratic side, the headline matchup is between U.S. Rep. Crockett and state Rep. Talarico.
Crockett, a former member of the Texas House, has built a national profile with high-visibility moments and sharper-edged messaging.
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Talarico has cultivated a public persona rooted in values-based language and faith-adjacent rhetoric, backed by a strong online presence and fundraising network.
The winner will head into November against the Republican nominee in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country.
Texas attorney general race: Runoff territory?
With Paxton running for Senate, the race to replace him as Texas attorney general has drawn several high-profile Republicans.
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GOP primary field (4 candidates)
Chip Roy — U.S. congressman aligned with the House Freedom Caucus; campaigning as a hardline conservative willing to pick fights.
Mayes Middleton — state senator positioning himself as the legislative conservative in the race.
Joan Huffman — longtime state senator and former prosecutor/judge, emphasizing experience and law-and-order credentials.
Aaron Reitz — former DOJ official, tied publicly to Paxton’s political orbit and campaigning on enforcement and litigation themes.
The four candidates running for Texas attorney general are Chip Roy, Mayes Middleton, Joan Huffman and Aaron Reitz.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman/Bob Daemmrich, Special Contributor/Mikala Compton, Austin American-Statesman
The four candidates running for Texas attorney general are Chip Roy, Mayes Middleton, Joan Huffman and Aaron Reitz.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman/Bob Daemmrich, Special Contributor/Mikala Compton, Austin American-Statesman
Open congressional seats: District 10 and 21
Two Central Texas-area congressional seats are open, and both districts remain rated safely Republican under current lines. That means the March GOP primaries could effectively determine who wins in November.
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Congressional District 10 (post-Michael McCaul)
Michael McCaul’s retirement triggered a crowded Republican primary in a district stretching from the Austin area eastward.
McCaul won 64% to 34% in 2024, reinforcing the view that the primary is the decisive contest.
Full GOP primary field (10 candidates):
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Rob Altman — retired Army major
Ben Bius — real estate agent and broker
Robert Brown — corporate consultant
Chris Gober — attorney
Brandon Hawbaker — software engineer
Jessica Karlsruher — executive director for the Texas Credit Union Association
Kara King — mayor of Bee Cave
Scott MacLeod — retired Army colonel
Jenny Garcia Sharon — community volunteer
Jeremy Story — businessman and chaplain for the Republican Party of Texas
Congressional District 21 (post-Chip Roy)
Roy’s statewide bid left open a district spanning the Hill Country and into the Austin–San Antonio corridor.
The race has drawn attention beyond political circles, including a high-profile former athlete.
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Full GOP primary field (11 candidates):
Daniel W. Betts — attorney
Jason Cahill — CEO
Jacques DuBose — consultant
Ezekiel “Zeke” Enriquez — account manager
Weston Martinez — businessman
Paul Rojas — software engineer
Kyle Sinclair — health administrator
Mark Teixeira — former MLB star; running as an “America First” candidate and pulling major endorsements.
Heather Tessmer
Trey Trainor — attorney and former FEC commissioner; campaigning on election-law credentials and conservative legal fights.
Peggy Wardlaw
Mike Wheeler
Travis County commissioner primaries: Who controls local government?
In Travis County, Democratic primaries for commissioner seats are widely seen as decisive, as no Republican candidates are on the March 3 primary ballot.
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Commissioners oversee transportation projects, county services, criminal justice policy and major budget decisions.
Precinct 2
Four Democrats are running:
Brigid Shea (incumbent) — commissioner since 2015; previously on Austin City Council; long history in environmental organizing.
Reese Ricci Armstrong — nonprofit unionist campaigning on social housing and Central Health expansion.
Rick Astray-Caneda III — consultant and researcher emphasizing policy implementation and affordability.
Amanda Marzullo — civil-rights attorney critical of Shea’s approach to growth and transportation.
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Precinct 4
Margaret Gomez’s retirement created a rare open race.
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Gavino Fernandez Jr. — former chief of staff to a Precinct 4 commissioner; messaging includes infrastructure priorities and tax restraint.
Susanna Ledesma-Woody — Del Valle ISD trustee since 2011; narrowly lost to Gomez in 2022.
George Morales III — longtime Precinct 4 constable campaigning on public safety and services.
Ofelia Maldonado Zapata — running on community and equity-focused themes.