Updated
Updated · FOX 7 Austin · May 26
Texas Runoffs Set Nov. 3 Candidates in Senate, AG and House Races
Updated
Updated · FOX 7 Austin · May 26

Texas Runoffs Set Nov. 3 Candidates in Senate, AG and House Races

12 articles · Updated · FOX 7 Austin · May 26
  • Texas began posting live runoff results after most polls closed, with GOP and Democratic voters deciding November nominees in statewide and congressional contests.
  • The highest-profile race is the Republican Senate runoff, where Attorney General Ken Paxton—backed by Donald Trump—has been polling ahead of incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
  • Attorney general runoffs are also on the ballot: Republicans are choosing between Mayes Middleton and Rep. Chip Roy, while Democrats are deciding between Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski.
  • Several House runoffs could shape control of Congress, including Democratic clashes in Houston and Dallas and the Republican contest in Texas' redrawn 9th District.
  • The November matchups come as Republicans hold slim House and Senate majorities nationally, making Texas a key midterm battleground under President Trump.
With record campaign spending but low turnout, how are Texas runoffs redefining the power of an individual voter?
Could alternative voting systems provide a more efficient solution than costly, low-participation runoff elections?

Texas 2026 Primary Runoffs: Trump’s Influence, GOP Realignment, and the High-Stakes Battle for Statewide Power

Overview

Ken Paxton's victory over John Cornyn in the Texas U.S. Senate Republican primary runoff marks a major shift in the state's GOP landscape. After neither candidate secured a majority in the initial primary, a runoff was held, where Paxton received a crucial last-minute endorsement from Donald Trump. This endorsement energized Paxton's campaign and highlighted Trump's ongoing influence in Texas Republican politics. Paxton's win over a long-time incumbent signals a growing preference among Texas Republicans for candidates aligned with Trump's ideology, suggesting a broader transformation within the party both in Texas and nationally.

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