HOUSTON, Texas – Texas voters will head to the polls on March 3 to decide which Republican and Democratic candidates will advance in one of the state’s most closely watched races, the 2026 U.S. Senate.
The primary elections allow voters in each party to choose who will represent them in the November general election. However, recent data from the Texas Secretary of State’s Office shows fewer than one in five registered voters have participated in recent primary elections, highlighting ongoing concerns about voter engagement.
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On the Republican side, incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is seeking re-election and faces challengers within his own party, such as Ken Paxton, Wesley Hunt, John O. Adefope, Anna Bender, Virgil John Bierschwale, Sara Canady, and Gulrez “Gus” Khan. The GOP primary has drawn national attention as conservative voters weigh experience against calls for new leadership.
Democrats are also holding a competitive primary, with several candidates vying for the opportunity to challenge the eventual Republican nominee in November, such as Jasmine Crockett, James Talarico and Ahmad R. Hassan. The Democratic field is focused on mobilizing turnout in urban centers and energizing younger voters in what party leaders hope will be a high-stakes general election matchup.
If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election later in the spring.
Political analysts say the Senate race could shape national power dynamics in Washington, making turnout in March especially significant despite historically low participation rates.
Early voting has started, giving Texans multiple opportunities to cast their ballots before Election Day on March 3.
As the primary approaches, campaigns are ramping up advertising and outreach efforts, hoping to motivate voters in a contest that will determine who appears on the November ballot, and potentially who represents Texas in the U.S. Senate for years to come.
Texas Primary Election Results for March 3, 2026
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