Texas election results: Here's how key primary races finished

The 2026 midterms are off to a busy start.

Primary races on Tuesday, March 3, in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas were the first of many elections to come across the country in 2026, sending smoke signals about the political climate in the midst of President Donald Trump's second term.

Much of the focus was on Texas' results. The Lone Star State's primaries tested different Democratic and Republican styles, showing which tones may appeal to voters in a historically red state where a hot-button issue like immigration is close to home.

Here are notable results from Texas' slate of races on Tuesday.

Texas Senate primary results

Democratic race

In Texas' competitive Democratic Senate primary, state Rep. James Talarico, who touts his Christian faith and courts moderates with a populist-minded message, defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a firebrand known for taking on Republicans in Congress, according to CNN and Decision Desk HQ.

The race was called overnight. Talarico won with 52.8% of votes statewide, compared to Crockett at 45.9%, according to AP and CNN.

By early morning Texas time March 4, Crockett officially conceded, announcing in a statement she called Talarico to congratulate him on his win. She said Texas is "primed to turn blue," and urged the party to remain united, "because this is bigger than any one person."

Early voting turnout was more than double what it was in the past two election cycles on the Democratic side, reports say.

"The number of young people who showed up to vote in this election is unprecedented," Talarico said in a speech late Tuesday in Austin. "The number the number of Texans who have never voted before but showed up in this election is unprecedented. The number of independents and Republicans who voted in this Democratic primary is unprecedented. This, this is proof that there is something happening in Texas."

Republican race

On the right, incumbent Texas Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton waged war in the state's Republican Senate primary. Cornyn received 41.9% of votes with Paxton at 40.7%, according to AP and CNN. A third contender, U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, landed at 13.5%.

Cornyn and Paxton will proceed to a runoff election on May 26 because neither received more than 50% of the vote. This sets up an expensive fight to win Texas' Republican voters, with Cornyn touting old guard Republicanism and Paxton appealing to MAGA hardliners.

Trump has yet to endorse either one. In their remarks on Tuesday, both appealed to Trump, with Cornyn saying: "We'll continue to do what we've done and talk about my record of support for the president and his policies." Paxton spoke of his alliance to the president, too, in a Tuesday speech, touting his support of Trump's 2024 campaign.

Notable House races

In one of Texas' many races for U.S. House seats, Texas GOP State Rep. Steve Toth defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw 55.8% to 40.7%, AP and CNN reported, in a newly mapped 2nd Congressional District primary race.

Another highlight was Texas' 18th Congressional District primary, which featured two Democratic incumbents thanks to the state's map redraw: Rep. Al Green and Rep. Christian Menefee. The pair are headed to a runoff, results from AP and CNN show, because neither candidate reached 50% of the vote. The eventual winner would face Republican Ronald Whitfield.

Gubernatorial races

Republican Governor race

Incumbent Texas Gov. Greg Abbott won his primary at 81.8%, according to AP and CNN. He stands to be the longest-serving governor of the state and has over $100 million in campaign cash to win, according to The Texas Tribune.

Democratic Governor race

Texas State House Rep. Gina Hinojosa won the Democratic primary at 58.8% of votes, according to AP and CNN. The Rio Grande Valley native faces a tough battle against Abbott's stronghold in Texas.

"I've never been afraid of Greg Abbott and I'm certainly not afraid of him now," she said in remarks late Tuesday, which she delivered in English and Spanish.

Talarico, Crockett comment on 'confusion' at polling places

Talarico joined Crockett in calling out "voter suppression" in Texas following reports that some voters in two major counties were turned away from polling places. Officials in Dallas County and Williamson County, which partially covers Austin's northern suburbs, said rule changes are causing confusion at polling locations. The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked a judge's earlier order that extended voting by two hours in Dallas County, which is considered a stronghold for Crockett.

"There was a lot of confusion today," Crockett said in a speech late Tuesday. "People have been disenfranchised."

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contributing: Phillip Bailey, USA TODAY