Three-state primaries test party strategy ahead of 2026 midterms

Voters in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas held pivotal primaries that could influence the 2026 midterm battles: Texas features a GOP Senate runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton and several high-profile House races; North Carolina's Senate race produced nominations for Roy Cooper (D) and Michael Whatley (R) as Republicans seek to defend a competitive seat; Arkansas saw Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders unopposed in the GOP primary as Democrats prepare to challenge her.