Texas voters are casting ballots Tuesday in the 2026 primary runoff elections, determining nominees for several high-profile statewide races and local contests, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across the state.
The most closely watched contest is the Republican U.S. Senate runoff between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Neither secured a majority in the March 3 primary, with Cornyn edging Paxton roughly 42% to 40%. The winner will face Democrat James Talarico in November.
Other Republican statewide runoffs include the race for attorney general, pitting candidates such as Mayes Middleton against Chip Roy to replace Paxton, and a contest for Railroad Commissioner between incumbent Jim Wright and Bo French. Democrats are deciding their nominees for lieutenant governor between state Rep. Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Vélez, and attorney general between state Sen. Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski.
In the DFW area, voters in Dallas and surrounding counties will see local runoffs for judicial seats, county positions, and potentially congressional districts depending on precinct. Dallas County offers vote centers and sample ballots on its elections website. Turnout is expected to be lower than the March primary, which saw record participation.
Early voting concluded Friday with solid numbers reported statewide. Officials emphasize checking polling locations, as some counties use vote centers. No major disruptions have been reported as of early Tuesday.
These runoffs will shape party tickets for the November general election, influencing everything from U.S. Senate representation to state regulatory and legal roles critical to Texas' economy and governance.
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