{"id":2606824,"date":"2026-05-26T07:33:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-to-watch-in-the-high-stakes-texas-primary-runoff-elections\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T07:34:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:34:09","slug":"what-to-watch-in-the-high-stakes-texas-primary-runoff-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-to-watch-in-the-high-stakes-texas-primary-runoff-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"What to watch in the high-stakes Texas primary runoff elections"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><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%2Fwhat-to-watch-in-the-high-stakes-texas-primary-runoff-elections%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=2606824&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 will hold several high-profile Republican and Democratic primary runoffs on Tuesday after the March 3 primaries produced no outright winners. With both parties seeing Texas as a major midterm battleground, the outcomes-especially in statewide and competitive districts-could have national implications, including Democrats\u2019 efforts to regain strength with Hispanic voters.<\/p>\n<p>Key GOP statewide runoff: Sen. John Cornyn faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the most watched Republican race in the country. Trump\u2019s endorsement of Paxton last week has intensified an already bitter contest that reflects a broader divide between establishment Republicans and populist conservatives. Cornyn led the March vote with 42% to Paxton\u2019s 40.5%, and the winner will take on Democratic nominee James Talarico.<\/p>\n<p>Texas attorney general runoff: Rep. Chip Roy looks to win statewide office against state Sen. Mayes Middleton. Roy is expected to succeed Paxton if he prevails, as no Democrat has won the position since 1994. Middleton finished first in March (39.1%) to Roy\u2019s 31.6%,and turnout is expected to drop sharply in the runoff.The campaign also reopens old tensions between Roy and Paxton, though neither candidate has Trump\u2019s endorsement.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic congressional runoffs: Two incumbents-Christian Menefee and Al Green-will run against each other after redistricting put them in the same district. Menefee narrowly topped the March primary (46% to Green\u2019s 44.2%).Another Democratic runoff pits Rep. Julie Johnson against former Rep. Colin Allred, with Allred benefiting from increased name recognition and fundraising after his Senate bids. The race has turned increasingly contentious, with accusations about their stances and endorsements involved.<\/p>\n<p>Texas\u2019s 35th Congressional District: Voters will choose both parties\u2019 nominees. Republicans will decide between state Rep. John Lujan and Carlos De La Cruz. Democrats will choose between Maureen Galindo and johnny Garcia, but Galindo\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-press-sec-used-insult-condemned-by-dem-officials-as-homophobic\/\" title=\"Biden Press Sec Used Insult Condemned by Dem Officials as \u2018Homophobic\u2019\">controversial social media posts<\/a> have drawn heavy criticism and prompted Democrats to vow efforts to remove her if she wins. The district is viewed as competitive for Democrats, though it leans heavily Democratic overall.  <\/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<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"253\">Texas<\/a> will host a slate of high-profile primary runoff races Tuesday, with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"240\">Republicans<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"249\">Democrats<\/a> alike eyeing the Lone Star State as a major battleground ahead of the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several races advanced to runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary, the first major nominating contest of the 2026 cycle. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4576120\/elizabeth-warren-midterms-universal-childcare\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Elizabeth Warren wants to make midterm elections about universal childcare<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4581085\/cory-booker-democrats-stepping-up\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Cory Booker identifies three Democrats he says are \u2018stepping up\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4580999\/tillis-can-finally-drop-political-filter\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Thom Tillis says lawmakers no longer facing voters can finally drop the political \u2018filter\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The contests could carry national implications. Texas will be ground zero for the Democratic Party\u2019s efforts to reconnect with Hispanic voters after President Donald Trump made inroads with the group in 2024. Democrats are also hopeful that Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico can be competitive in the general and flip the seat.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s what to watch:<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-john-cornyn-vs-ken-paxton\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">John Cornyn vs. Ken Paxton <\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four-term Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will face off in the most closely watched Republican runoff in the country. The bruising battle only escalated further after President Donald Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4574393\/trump-endorses-ken-paxton-ahead-texas-senate-primary-runoff\/\">endorsed Paxton last week<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump\u2019s endorsement was widely viewed as a major breakthrough for Paxton after both <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >candidates spent months courting<\/a> the president\u2019s support. Cornyn led the March primary with 42% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Paxton\u2019s 40.5%. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The winner will face Talarico, a Texas state representative.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race has exposed broader divisions inside the Republican Party between establishment conservatives and the party\u2019s more confrontational populist wing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cornyn has spent much of the campaign defending his conservative credentials against attacks portraying him as an outdated Bush-era Republican. Paxton and his allies have repeatedly targeted Cornyn over his support for a bipartisan gun control deal following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paxton, meanwhile, has faced relentless attacks from the Cornyn camp over his personal and political scandals, including his 2023 impeachment trial in Texas over allegations of bribery and abuse of office. The attorney general was later acquitted by the Texas Senate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following Trump\u2019s endorsement, many national Republicans expressed concerns Paxton could cost them the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4575122\/senate-gop-fumes-trump-endorses-ken-paxton-texas\/\"><strong>SENATE GOP FUMES AFTER TRUMP SNUBS CORNYN WITH KEN PAXTON ENDORSEMENT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTrump\u2019s late intervention could force Republicans to waste massive sums defending Texas in the general election \u2014 money that otherwise would go to Michigan, Maine, and Alaska,\u201d said GOP strategist Dennis Lennox.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-can-chip-roy-win-statewide\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can Chip Roy win statewide?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) is facing one of the toughest races of his political career as he battles Texas state Sen. Mayes Middleton in the Republican runoff for attorney general. The winner is widely expected to succeed Paxton, given that no Democrat has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-ag-calls-for-investigation-into-cuomo-harassment-claims-with-subpoena-power\/\" title=\"New York AG Calls For Investigation Into Cuomo Harassment Claims With Subpoena Power\">elected attorney general<\/a> since 1994.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Middleton finished first in the March primary with 39.1% of the vote, while Roy received 31.6%. Turnout is expected to drop sharply in the runoff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Roy has built a national profile as one of the most outspoken conservative members of the House. He\u2019s frequently opposed GOP leadership on spending and border policy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Middleton has leaned heavily on personal wealth throughout the race, spending more than $11 million of his own money attacking Roy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race has also reopened old tensions between Roy and Paxton. Roy previously called on Paxton to resign during the attorney general\u2019s 2020 bribery and abuse-of-office scandal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither candidate has secured Trump\u2019s endorsement, though several congressional conservatives have rallied behind Roy.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-christian-menefee-vs-al-green\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Christian Menefee vs. Al Green<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Christian Menefee (D-TX) and longtime Rep. Al Green (D-TX) are heading into a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/four-things-to-watch-in-texas-runoff-primary-elections\/\" title=\"Key Points to Monitor in ... ... Primaries\">closely watched runoff<\/a> after Texas redistricting placed the two incumbents in the same district.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Age and generational change have become central themes in the contest between the 78-year-old Green and the 38-year-old Menefee, who was sworn into Congress earlier this year after winning a special election to replace the late Rep. Sylvester Turner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Menefee narrowly led the March primary with 46% of the vote, compared to Green\u2019s 44.2%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic Senate nomination this cycle, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4568614\/crockett-backs-christian-menefee-over-longtime-texas-rep-al-green\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4568614\/crockett-backs-christian-menefee-over-longtime-texas-rep-al-green\/\">endorsed<\/a> Menefee last week.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-julie-johnson-vs-colin-allred\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Julie Johnson vs. Colin Allred<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX) is facing former Rep. Colin Allred in a high-profile Democratic runoff. Allred abandoned his Senate bid earlier this cycle to run for the seat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Johnson succeeded Allred in 2024 when he retired to mount a run against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). Allred won the Democratic nomination for Senate, but lost to Cruz by more than 900,000 votes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The failed Senate campaigns have boosted Allred\u2019s name recognition and fundraising advantage over Johnson. Allred led the March primary with 44% of the vote, compared to Johnson\u2019s 33.2%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSome people thought this race would be outright decided last night,\u201d Johnson said in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/p\/1EACaaeLMn\/\">statement<\/a>. \u201cInstead we forced a runoff with a candidate with statewide name recognition and a significant financial advantage.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race has grown increasingly bitter in recent weeks, with Johnson accusing Allred of taking positions too friendly to Republicans while campaigning alongside Talarico, the Democrat who replaced Allred atop the Senate ticket. Crockett has endorsed Allred in the runoff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The winner of the race is likely to be the next member of Congress from the seat given its heavily Democratic lean.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-texas-s-35th-congressional-district\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Texas\u2019s 35th Congressional District<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Voters in Texas\u2019s 35th Congressional District will also decide both the GOP and Democratic nominees on Tuesday. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the Republican side, state Rep. John Lujan faces Air Force veteran and businessman Carlos De La Cruz. Lujan led the March primary with 33% of the vote, while De La Cruz received 26.8%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats will choose between housing advocate and sex therapist Maureen Galindo and former Bexar County public information officer Johnny Garcia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Galindo has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks over a series of inflammatory social media posts, including one suggesting ICE detention facilities could become internment camps for \u201cAmerican Zionists and former ICE officers.\u201d House Democratic leadership condemned the comments. Several House <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4577166\/democrats-vow-expel-texas-house-candidate-galindo-if-she-wins\/\">Democrats also vowed to oust Galindo if she is elected<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4481189\/democrats-sober-talarico-nomination-texas\/\">DEMOCRATS CAUTIOUS AFTER TALARICO NOMINATION IN RED TEXAS: \u2018EVERYTHING HAS TO GO RIGHT\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The controversy has complicated the race for Democrats in a district party strategists view as competitive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Galindo narrowly finished ahead of Garcia in the March primary, receiving 29.2% of the vote to Garcia\u2019s 27.1%. Garcia is backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Texas hosts high-profile primary runoffs Tuesday as both parties see it as a key battleground ahead of midterms<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3691,"featured_media":2606825,"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\/05\/image-collage-8nk6shzpu-1779479932142-e1779496330498.jpg?1779465671&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[44377,33017,80265,80266,80267],"class_list":["post-2606824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-election-guide","tag-political-analysis","tag-texas-primary-runoff","tag-voting-tips","tag-watch-list-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-8nk6shzpu-1779479932142-e1779496330498.jpg?1779465671&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2606824","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\/3691"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2606824"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2606824\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2606828,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2606824\/revisions\/2606828"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2606825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2606824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2606824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2606824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}