Texas' primary runoffs resolved several high-profile nomination fights, led by Attorney General Ken Paxton’s projected victory over Sen. John Cornyn in a costly GOP Senate runoff. Redistricting produced incumbent-versus-incumbent matchups in several Democratic districts, while contested statewide primaries reflected deep intraparty divisions. Late endorsements, heavy ad spending and local controversies shaped outcomes that matter for the November general elections and control battles in Washington.
What To Watch In Today's Texas Primary Runoffs — Paxton Tops Cornyn; Multiple Key Races Decided
Here's what to watch for in the Texas primary runoff election today
Texas voters settled a series of high-stakes primary runoffs on Tuesday, concluding one of the most expensive Senate primary fights in U.S. history and resolving several congressional and statewide nomination battles. Polls across most of the state closed at 7 p.m. Central Time, with voting ending an hour later in far West Texas.
U.S. Senate Republican Runoff
The most-watched matchup was Attorney General Ken Paxton vs. Sen. John Cornyn after neither secured a majority in the March 3 primary. With former President Donald Trump's endorsement arriving late in the contest, CBS News projected Paxton as the winner of the GOP runoff.
Cornyn, first elected to the Senate in 2002 and a former GOP whip and fundraising chair, had led the March primary but fell short of the 50% threshold. Paxton — a longtime Trump ally — was able to consolidate late support. Analysts say Trump's endorsement materially shifted momentum in Paxton's favor.
Background and Stakes: No Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since 1994, making the Republican nominee the heavy favorite going into November. The Cornyn–Paxton fight was historically costly: AdImpact reports combined ad spending for the March primary and the runoff exceeded $120 million. Paxton's tenure as attorney general has included high-profile lawsuits challenging federal policies and the 2020 election results, and he has faced legal controversies, including a 2015 securities indictment later resolved in a pre-trial diversion agreement and a 2023 impeachment by the Texas House followed by acquittal in the state Senate.
18th Congressional District — Democratic Runoff
Redistricting set up an incumbent-versus-incumbent Democratic runoff in the 18th District. Rep. Christian Menefee was projected to defeat Rep. Al Green. Menefee, who won a special election earlier this year, consolidated support from other March primary voters; Green moved into the 18th after his old district was redrawn to favor Republicans.
35th Congressional District — Democratic And Republican Runoffs
In the San Antonio-area 35th District, Johnny Garcia was projected to win the Democratic nomination over Maureen Galindo. Galindo — who led the March primary — faced intense criticism for remarks many viewed as antisemitic, prompting national condemnation and a late Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ad buy to help Garcia. The primary winner is favored in November in a district that has shifted slightly after redistricting. Republicans also held a runoff between State Rep. John Lujan and Carlos De La Cruz.
33rd Congressional District — Democratic And Republican Runoffs
Former Rep. Colin Allred was projected to defeat incumbent Rep. Julie Johnson in the Democratic runoff for the reconfigured Dallas-area 33rd District, capping a heated primary matchup. Allred had led the March primary by a double-digit margin but fell short of a majority. The district remains safely Democratic for the general election; Republicans also held a primary runoff but are unlikely to win the seat in November.
Texas Attorney General Nominations
With Paxton running for Senate, the open attorney general race produced competitive primaries. On the Republican side, State Sen. Mayes Middleton was projected to defeat U.S. Rep. Chip Roy in the runoff. Campaign messaging highlighted intra-GOP divisions over loyalty to Trump and past positions taken after the 2020 election. On the Democratic side, state Sen. Nathan Johnson was projected to win the nomination over former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski.
Texas Railroad Commissioner Contest
The Texas Railroad Commission — which regulates the state's energy sector — featured a contentious Republican runoff between incumbent Chairman Jim Wright and Bo French, a former Tarrant County GOP chair. French drew controversy for inflammatory social media posts and rhetoric; Wright was backed by other commissioners, Gov. Greg Abbott and establishment Republican groups. The March primary results were nearly even, and analysts warned turnout patterns could determine the runoff outcome.
Why These Results Matter
These runoffs highlighted how late endorsements, heavy outside spending and aggressive redistricting shaped intraparty contests across Texas. Outcomes will influence November general election strategies, resource allocation by national parties and the broader balance of power in Washington.
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