{"id":2575853,"date":"2026-03-04T01:56:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T06:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dan-crenshaw-defeated-by-steve-toth-in-texas-gop-primary\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T01:59:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T06:59:25","slug":"dan-crenshaw-defeated-by-steve-toth-in-texas-gop-primary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dan-crenshaw-defeated-by-steve-toth-in-texas-gop-primary\/","title":{"rendered":"Dan Crenshaw defeated by Steve Toth in Texas GOP Primary"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdan-crenshaw-defeated-by-steve-toth-in-texas-gop-primary%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2575853&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Texas state Rep. Steve Toth defeated Rep. dan Crenshaw in the Republican primary for Texas\u2019s 2nd Congressional District,marking a high-profile upset in which President Trump did not endorse Crenshaw. The Associated Press called the race with about 72% of votes counted, showing Toth leading 57.6% to Crenshaw\u2019s 39%. The contest became a test of the party\u2019s conservative base and the influence of outside groups and endorsements. Crenshaw did not secure Trump\u2019s backing, while a pro-Crenshaw super PAC spent nearly $2 million attacking Toth, and Toth\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pro-lifers-can-keep-winning-but-only-if-were-smart-and-steadfast\/\" title=\"Pro-Lifers Can Keep Winning But Only If We\u2019re Smart And Steadfast\">side spent<\/a> far less. Late endorsements shifted momentum: Sen. Ted Cruz publicly backed Toth and recorded an ad for a pro-Toth super PAC, following Crenshaw\u2019s vote against Cruz\u2019s ROTOR Act, which strained their relationship. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL seeking a fifth term, has a national profile as a combative Republican, but his standing with Trump-aligned conservatives has been questioned. Redistricting placed Toth\u2019s home inside the district, complicating Crenshaw\u2019s path. The result highlights ongoing tensions within the Texas GOP over loyalty to Trump, grassroots conservatism, and the impact of endorsements and fundraising in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-trump-official-launches-u-s-house-campaign-to-primary-michigan-republican\/\" title=\"Former ... Official Launches U.S. House Campaign To Primary Michigan Republican\">primary battles<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Rep. Dan Crenshaw defeated by Steve Toth in Texas GOP primary upset<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2508025\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/dan-crenshaw\/\">Rep. Dan Crenshaw<\/a> (R-TX) was defeated by state Rep. Steve Toth in the Republican primary for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4478198\/what-to-watch-first-primary-elections-texas-north-carolina-2026\/\">Texas<\/a>&rsquo; 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday &mdash; in a high profile contest in which President Donald Trump withheld his endorsement. <\/p>\n<p>The Associated Press called the race for Toth with 72% of the vote counted. Toth led the race with 57.6% to Crenshaw&rsquo;s 39%.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4478965\/valerie-foushee-nida-allam-north-carolina-primary\/\">Rep. Valerie Foushee declares victory in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/david-perdue-announces-run-for-georgia-governor-over-my-dead-body-will-stacey-abrams-control-our-elections\/\" title=\"David Perdue Announces Run for Georgia Governor: \u2018Over My Dead Body\u2019 Will Stacey Abrams Control Our Elections\">competitive primary<\/a> with recount likely<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4479256\/texas-gop-senate-primary-cornyn-paxton-hunt\/\">John Cornyn to face Ken Paxton in costly Texas Senate runoff<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4479575\/jasmine-crockett-dallas-county-vote-delay-texas-primary\/\">Crockett says Dallas County voting dispute could delay Texas Senate primary results<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Congressional District 2 voters want a representative in D.C. who will stand firm in his convictions, fight for his constituents, and follow through on his promises,&rdquo; Toth said in a statement declaring victory. &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t let them down.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>The race evolved into one of the most closely watched Republican primaries in Texas, testing Crenshaw&rsquo;s standing with the party&rsquo;s conservative base and underscoring the growing influence of outside groups and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-endorses-mike-pences-brother-without-mentioning-ex-vp\/\" title=\"... Endorses Mike Pence\u2019s Brother Without Mentioning Ex-VP\">high-profile endorsements<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Crenshaw also did not secure an endorsement from Trump, who typically weighs in on competitive Republican primaries in the state. He was the only Texas House Republican on the ballot Tuesday who did not receive Trump&rsquo;s backing.<\/p>\n<p>A super PAC backing the incumbent poured nearly $2 million into television ads attacking Toth, signaling that Crenshaw&rsquo;s allies viewed the challenger as a legitimate threat despite Toth&rsquo;s comparatively modest campaign spending. From Jan. 1 through mid-February, Toth spent roughly $175,000, compared with about $616,000 by Crenshaw. A pro-Toth super PAC added roughly $362,000 to boost his candidacy.<\/p>\n<p>Late endorsements scrambled the dynamic in the final stretch. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.expressnews.com\/politics\/texas\/article\/steve-toth-dan-crenshaw-cruz-21939409.php\">endorsed <\/a>Toth and quickly recorded an ad for a pro-Toth super PAC. The political arm of the House Freedom Caucus followed suit. Cruz&rsquo;s move came hours after Crenshaw voted against the ROTOR Act, Cruz&rsquo;s aviation safety legislation, deepening an already strained relationship between the two Texas Republicans.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Steve Toth is the best candidate for that seat,&rdquo; Cruz said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a strong conservative, and I think his principles and values reflect the values of the voters of the district.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Crenshaw&rsquo;s relationship with the president has declined in recent years. He did not vote to overturn the 2020 election results and was outspoken in condemning the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He also had a public fallout last year with conservative TV personality Tucker Carlson, further straining ties with parts of the Make America Great Again movement.<\/p>\n<p>Skeptics note that the Freedom Caucus has backed losing candidates before, but Cruz&rsquo;s involvement carries particular weight in Texas GOP politics.<\/p>\n<p>Redistricting added another layer of volatility, placing Toth&rsquo;s home inside the district and forcing Crenshaw to navigate newly drawn political terrain.<\/p>\n<p>Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL seeking a fifth term, built a national profile as a combative Republican unafraid to spar publicly, including with members of his own party. That approach has at times left him at odds with conservatives who question his loyalty to Trump.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4476227\/trump-snub-dan-crenshaw-endorsement-sway-texas-voters\/\"><strong>TRUMP&rsquo;S SNUB OF CRENSHAW MAY NOT SWAY TEXAS VOTERS AWAY FROM INCUMBENT&nbsp;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Toth, a longtime Texas state lawmaker and former megachurch pastor, cast himself as a more reliably conservative alternative, arguing the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >district needed stronger alignment<\/a> with the party&rsquo;s grassroots base.<\/p>\n<p>Crenshaw has survived close primary fights before. But those contests were against underfunded opponents who nonetheless came close to unseating him, making this year&rsquo;s challenge one of the most serious tests of his political career.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Toth defeats Crenshaw in Texas GOP primary<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2575854,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26058492491325.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546,33651,538],"tags":[36414,75026,75027],"class_list":["post-2575853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-dan-crenshaw","tag-steve-toth","tag-texas-gop-primary"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26058492491325.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2575853"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2575857,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575853\/revisions\/2575857"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2575854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2575853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2575853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2575853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}