Texas is one of 15 states (and one U.S. territory) to have held their primary election on Super Tuesday, March 5 and there were some key races here in North Texas worth keeping an eye on results for as their incumbents were ready to retire.
In this election, Texas has a total of 38 congressional seats up for grabs with three open seats worth highlighting in North Texas. Those who chose not to run for reelection are U.S. Rep Kay Granger in District 12, U.S. Rep Michael Burgess in District 26 and U.S. Rep Colin Allred in District 32 who won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and is headed after incumbent U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.
Texas' Congressional District 12
In District 12, Republican Craig Goldman got 44% of the vote followed by John C. O'Shea with 26% of the vote.
Goldman and O'Shea will have one more race to determine who'll face Democrat Trey Hunt in the November election.
In the Democratic primary, Trey J. Hunt took 58% of vote while Sebastian K. Gehrig took 42% of the vote.
In District 12, incumbent U.S. Rep Kay Granger did not seeking reelection in 2024. The longtime Republican of Fort Worth has represented Texas' Congressional District 12 since 1997 and chairs the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Not only did Granger become the first Republican woman to go to the U.S. House from Texas, but she was also Fort Worth's first female mayor.
Vying to replace Granger were Democratic primary candidates Sebastian K. Gehrig and Trey J. Hunt. Republican primary candidates included Clint Dorris, Shellie Gardner, Craig Goldman, Anne Henley and John O'Shea.
Texas House Republican Caucus chair Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, is the favorite of the district’s local political and business leaders. Another Republican, business owner John O’Shea also of Fort Worth, has the backing of Attorney General Ken Paxton — whom he refers to as a close personal friend, as reported by the Texas Tribune. This comes as Paxton seeks retaliation against those who voted in favor of his impeachment, Goldman being one of them.
Texas' Congressional District 26
In District 26, Brandon Gill won the Republican primary with 58% of the vote.
In the Democratic Primary, Ernest R. Lineberger III ran uncontested.
In District 26, incumbent U.S. Rep Michael Burgess did not seek reelection in 2024. The Dallas-area Republican has held the Texas' Congressional District 26 seat since 2002 after House Majority Leader Dick Armey retired. Burgess comes from a family of doctors and was a key GOP voice in health care issues.
Vying to replace Burgess were sole Democratic candidate Ernest Lineberger III and a long list of Republicans including Scott Armey, Neena Biswas, Vlad De Franceschi, Luisa Del Rosal, Brandon Gill, John Huffman, Jason Kergosien, Joel Krause, Doug Robison, Mark "Big Rut" Rutledge, Burt Thakur.
29-year-old political newcomer, Brandon Gill, was considered a front-runner in replacing Burgess. Gill helped make a name for himself in politics by marketing the election conspiracy theory documentary “2000 Mules” with his father-in-law Dinesh D’Souza, according to the Texas Tribune. Trailing closely behind him was expected to be Southlake Mayor John Huffman. Both were leading with money and endorsements.
Texas' Congressional District 32
Democratic Julie Johnson won with 52% of the vote in the Democratic primary. Brian Williams comes second with 19% of the vote.
In District 32, Republican David Blewett has led with 44% while Darrell Day has come a close second with 38% of vote in the Republican primary. This race calls for a run-off election.
In District 32, incumbent U.S. Rep Colin Allred vacated his seat to run for U.S. Senate (he won the Democratic primary) and go against Republican Senator Ted Cruz who is currently seeking a third term. Allred has held the two-year term since 2022, running uncontested during the primaries. The former football player from Dallas has made his work focus on Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure and Veterans' Affairs.
Competing to take over Allred's seat for Texas' Congressional District 32 were 10 democratic candidates including Callie Butcher, Raja Chaudhry, Alex Cornwallis, Kevin Felder, Julie Johnson, Zachariah Manning, Jan McDowell, Justin Moore, Christopher Panayiotou, Brian Williams. Republican primary candidates included David Blewett, Darrell Day, Juan Feria, Gulrez "Gus" Khan.
Two Democratic candidates who led in fundraising were Julie Johnson who raised more than $1 million since announcing her run, in addition to numerous endorsements from elected leaders and associations. The second leading candidate was Brian Williams who raised nearly $1 million. Both candidates have focused on improving healthcare, access to reproductive rights and tightening gun restrictions.
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