2026 United States Senate election in Texas
The gist
CBS News projected Democrat James Talarico would defeat Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race.
It is Texas's first Democratic Senate win since 1988.
How it unfolded
- Mar 3, 2026In the Democratic primary, James Talarico took 52% to Jasmine Crockett's 46% at 99% of precincts reporting. In the Republican primary, John Cornyn led with 42% and Ken Paxton advanced to a runoff.
- May 2026Ken Paxton beat Sen. John Cornyn in the May primary runoff, the first time a Texas senator has lost renomination since 1970.
- Oct 17, 2026 –19, 2026An Emerson College Polling/Nexstar survey of 1,000 likely Texas voters found 48% for Talarico, 46% for Paxton, 1% for Libertarian Ted Brown and 5% undecided.