Early voting commenced on Tuesday for the Texas primary elections, setting the stage for a pivotal Senate race in the 2026 midterm cycle. Democrats, who have not won a statewide election since 1994, see an opportunity as Republicans face internal divisions between the party establishment and the Maga movement.
The Republican primary features a clash between four-term incumbent Senator John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn, a conservative fixture in Senate leadership, faces the fight of his political career against Paxton, who was impeached in 2023 on charges including bribery and abuse of office before being acquitted. Paxton has framed the race as a battle between Trump's Maga movement and the Republican establishment.
On the Democratic side, state Senator James Talarico and Representative Jasmine Crockett are competing for the nomination. Talarico grounds his populist platform in biblical teachings, while Crockett is a civil rights attorney known for her sharp criticisms of Republicans. The winner will aim to break the Republican hold on Texas, which has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994.
Political analysts note that Texas voters recently showed signs of shifting, with Democrat Taylor Rehmet winning a state senate seat in a district that Donald Trump carried by over 17 points in 2024. This has fueled Democratic optimism, though Republicans remain favored due to the state's conservative lean. The primary results could significantly impact the general election dynamics.
