Texas voters head to the polls on Tuesday, March 3, to decide primary races for U.S. Senate, Governor and U.S. House seats. Both the Democratic and Republican Senate primaries are expected to be competitive, as are the races for Governor.
U.S. Senate Primaries
On the Democratic side, U.S. House member Jasmine Crockett of Dallas is competing with state representative James Talarico. Crockett delivered a speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and has since gained prominence for her often brash communication style. Talarico, a former public-school teacher, previously delivered a speech criticizing a Republican effort to require the display of the Ten Commandments in schools.
The Republican Senate primary features incumbent Senator John Cornyn facing challenges from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Congressman Wesley Hunt, representing northwest Houston. A runoff election is likely in May. Attorney General Paxton, who sued to overturn the 2020 Presidential election, was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 on charges of bribery and obstruction of justice, but was later acquitted by the state Senate. His wife, likewise a state senator, filed for divorce last summer.
Notably, President Trump has declined to endorse any single candidate in the Republican primary, stating, “I support all three.”
Gubernatorial Primaries
Incumbent Republican Greg Abbott and Democratic state representative Gina Hinojosa are both expected to advance to the general election. Abbott is seeking a fourth term, which would be unprecedented in Texas history, and his campaign has reportedly raised $106 million. Trump has endorsed Abbott, citing his role in redrawing Texas’s congressional map.
Hinojosa, representing a district in downtown Austin, previously worked as a lawyer for public-sector union employees and ran for the Austin school board after her son’s school faced budget cuts. She is being challenged by Chris Bell, a personal-injury lawyer and former U.S. Congressman from Houston, and Bobby Cole, a dairy farmer.
U.S. House Primaries
Primary races for U.S. House seats are also underway across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main candidates in the Democratic Senate primary?
The main candidates are U.S. House member Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and state representative James Talarico.
What is the status of Ken Paxton’s legal challenges?
Ken Paxton was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 on charges of bribery and obstruction of justice, but was acquitted by the state Senate. He also faces a divorce filing from his wife amid accusations of adultery, which he denies.
Has President Trump endorsed any candidates in the Texas Senate primaries?
No, President Trump has stated that he supports all three Republican candidates in the Senate primary.
As Texas voters cast their ballots, the outcomes of these primary races will set the stage for the general election and potentially reshape the state’s representation in Washington.