Women voters remain the most potent force in Dallas County politics.
They proved that again last week, outperforming men countywide and in many down-ballot races.
Among the results:
Former judge Amber Givens beat well-funded incumbent John Creuzot for district attorney in the Democratic primary. Victories by Dallas minister Frederick Haynes III in the 30th Congressional District and Dallas Constable Michael Orozco were the only races in which a man facing a woman won outright in the primary.Just seven contests in Dallas County produced results in which women failed to capture more than 50% of the vote.Preliminary data indicates women made up 61% of Dallas County’s primary turnout. That’s in line with previous cycles, but was boosted by new primary voters. After early voting, the electorate was 40% Black, 40% white, 17% Latino and 3% Asian.
“Dallas Democratic primary voters like to elevate public servants who resemble themselves,” said Democratic political strategist David de la Fuente, who has studied the data.
De la Fuente said the gender gap in Dallas County primaries often runs about three women for every two men.
“It makes running as a male in Dallas an uphill endeavor,” he said.
Poll workers collect voters’ information at the Skyline Branch Library as polls open on Primary Election Day on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Dallas.
Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer
Another factor that created a primary surprise: Early estimates indicated a third of the Democratic turnout came from new primary participants.
Political Points
Having no history in Democratic voter databases, they are difficult for candidates to identify and reach, making some contests unpredictable.
Many of those voters were likely seeking change. The surge also appeared tied to U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Democratic Senate campaign.
Primary candidate for U.S. Senate, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, speaks to her supporters during an election night watch party at Club Vivo in downtown Dallas Wednesday, March 3, 2026. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP)
Tom Fox / AP
In her losing bid against state Rep. James Talarico, Crockett, who lives in Dallas, easily won her stronghold and helped energize new primary voters, including women.
Social clout
Givens, a Democrat, has a robust social media following that helped lift her campaign as district attorney. She said the win showed voters chose “a people-powered movement” over money and political influence.
Many voters either never saw or were not concerned about her legal troubles before she stepped down in December as a district court judge to run.
Former judge Amber Givens speaks during a news conference at Antioch Fellowship Church, Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Dallas, to lay out her plans after her win in the Dallas County district attorney’s race in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.
Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer
Last year, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded and admonished Givens, citing conduct that included allowing a staff member to impersonate her during a 2021 bond hearing and taking action in cases after she had been recused. She appealed the sanctions and is awaiting a decision from a Special Court of Review at the state Supreme Court.
Creuzot, a former state district judge and pioneer of diversion programs that steer low-level offenders from prison into rehabilitation programs, ran on his record.
Women, particularly Black women, also play a role in other countywide races.
In the Democratic primary, a former misdemeanor criminal court judge, Etta Mullin, beat incumbent Hector Garza for the 195th District Court. She won despite a history of sanctions and efforts by prominent defense attorneys to derail her candidacy.
The makeup of the expanded electorate helped Mullin. And her name was familiar to some voters because of her previous judicial campaigns.
Former Dallas County Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Donovan said many women are regular voters and view the current political climate as hostile.
“There have been some cases where women have voted for women because they’re upset and they don’t know the people that are running,” she said. “In those instances they’re picking the woman.”
Primary lessons
Not only were women a decisive force in Dallas County politics, Latino voters were key statewide in shaping the Democratic Senate primary.
Strong support across heavily Hispanic counties in South Texas helped propel Talarico past Crockett, offsetting her large margins in Houston and Dallas.
Texas Democratic Senate candidate Texas state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, waves before speaking for the first time since winning the Democratic nomination in Austin, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Eric Gay / AP
The Talarico camp invested heavily in Latino outreach across South Texas, while Crockett made a late swing through Brownsville and Laredo but still lost those areas by roughly 2-to-1 margins.
Talarico will face the winner of the Republican runoff between Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Austin power
Austin is described as the bluest dot in a state awash in Republican red. After the primary, it also dominates the top of the Democratic ticket.
Gina Hinojosa gives a victory speech at a primary election watch party held at The Creamery in San Antonio on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. She will be competing against Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking a fourth term, in the upcoming gubernatorial race.
Sam Owens / San Antonio Express-News
Leading the slate is Talarico, who’s joined by fellow Austinites:
Gina Hinojosa, a state representative who captured the Democratic nomination for governor to challenge incumbent Greg Abbott. Vikki Goodwin, also a state representative who’s headed to a runoff for lieutenant governor.And state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, the nominee for comptroller.
Party leaders say the concentration of candidates from the capital city is less about geography than momentum from a fast-growing Democratic base.
Their challenge now is expanding that enthusiasm beyond Austin as they try to break a three-decade statewide office losing streak.