As Texas’ filing deadline approaches, the 2026 primary landscape is sharpening. Below is an overview of major statewide and Houston-area races, based on reporting from the Houston Chronicle.
The Republican primary features U.S. Sen. John Cornyn facing his most competitive contest yet, challenged by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. The Houston Chronicle notes Paxton “jumped out to an early lead,” though polls show him and Cornyn “neck and neck” following news of Paxton’s pending divorce.
Hunt, elected in 2022 and a former Army helicopter pilot, trails in most surveys.
A potential wild card is whether former President Donald Trump weighs in, as Paxton and Hunt have longstanding ties to him while Cornyn’s relationship has been mixed.
On the Democratic side, State Rep. James Talarico is preparing for a matchup with U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who is expected to file. Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred exited the race Monday morning.
Gov. Greg Abbott, armed with roughly $90 million, faces five GOP challengers, including State Board of Education member Evelyn Brooks—whom Abbott endorsed in 2022—San Antonio mayoral candidate Arturo Espinosa, Army veteran and physician Pete Chambers, Kenneth Hyde, and Stephen Samuelson.
Seven Democrats are competing for the nomination. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa is centering her campaign on “fighting corruption” and has frequently clashed with Abbott on school vouchers. Houston businessman Andrew White is running as an independent Democrat. Former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell joins the field alongside Bobby Cole, Patricia Abrego, Angela Villescaz, and Jose Navarro.
With Paxton running for Senate, the Republican primary for attorney general is shaping up to be one of the cycle’s most competitive. State Sens. Joan Huffman and Mayes Middleton are in, joined by former Paxton and Ted Cruz staffer Aaron Reitz.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy has announced a campaign but has not filed.
Democratic contenders include State Sen. Nathan Johnson, former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski, and former FBI agent Tony Box.
Incumbent Sid Miller is being challenged by former donor and bee farmer Nathan Sheets, who has already secured endorsements from Rick Santorum, First Liberty Institute leader Kelly Shackelford, and State Sen. Angela Paxton.
On the Democratic side, rancher Clayton Tucker is the lone candidate.
With Comptroller Glenn Hegar stepping aside, the GOP field includes acting comptroller and former State Sen. Kelly Hancock—endorsed by Abbott—alongside former State Sen. Don Huffines and Railroad Commission chair Christi Craddick. All three promise to use the office more aggressively, particularly on school voucher implementation.
No major Democrat entered the race.
Commissioner Jim Wright faces two Republican challengers: oilman Hawk Dunlap and former Tarrant County GOP chair Bo French, who has pledged to combat “radical Islamists” on the board.
The Democratic nominee will be State Rep. Jon Rosenthal, a former oilfield mechanical engineer.
U.S. Rep. Al Green is running in newly redrawn territory that overlaps with areas from his longtime 9th District. He faces strong Democratic competition from Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Councilmember Amanda Edwards, both already competing in the special election for the current district.
Republican Ronald Whitfield has also filed.
With the district redrawn to favor the GOP, more than half a dozen Republicans are running, including leading contenders Alex Mealer and State Rep. Briscoe Cain.
Democrats Marty Rocha and retired astronaut Terry Virts have also filed.
U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia seeks reelection in a district significantly reshaped by the Legislature. Former State Rep. Jarvis Johnson has launched a primary challenge.
U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw faces his toughest primary since 2018, challenged by State Rep. Steve Toth, known for backing some of the Legislature’s most conservative policies. Crenshaw’s foreign-policy positions and independent streak have drawn criticism from the right, creating an opening for Toth.
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