All articles tagged with #texas senate
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a MAGA favorite, is poised to win the GOP primary for the Senate against longtime incumbent John Cornyn, with polls showing Paxton ahead and a runoff likely; his impeachment acquittal and past investigations haven’t slowed his rise, aided by deep donor support and grassroots energy, while Trump has not endorsed and Democrats warn his baggage could threaten Republicans in November.
Despite more than $60 million in GOP-backed ads aimed at defeating him, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton remains the front-runner in the March 3 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Cornyn warns Paxton’s nomination could hurt Republicans in November, but Paxton maintains base loyalty, a favorable runoff dynamic with a third candidate, and late ads as he eyes a possible victory and general-election appeal. Trump has not endorsed Paxton.
New public polling released Feb. 9 shows Republican Ken Paxton leading incumbent Sen. John Cornyn by 7 points and Democrat Jasmine Crockett leading state Rep. James Talarico by 8 points in Texas’ U.S. Senate primaries, with about 12% still undecided; early voting begins Feb. 17, and general-election matchups show little difference between parties.
Democrat Taylor Rehmet defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss 57–43 in a Fort Worth-area Texas Senate runoff for District 9, a large, longtime GOP stronghold in Tarrant County. Despite Wambsganss’s fundraising lead, Donald Trump’s push to boost turnout didn’t swing the result, with early voting 56–44 for Rehmet and day‑of voting 58–42. The win stands as one of Democrats’ most significant special‑election performances and could energize hopes of flipping a Texas U.S. Senate seat, but analysts caution that special elections aren’t predictive and turnout was unusually low; statewide races remain a steep challenge for Democrats.
Democrat Taylor Rehmet won the Fort Worth-area 9th District runoff to flip a Texas state Senate seat Trump carried by 17 points in 2024, CNN projection shows. Rehmet defeated Trump-backed Leigh Wambsganss after he led in November’s first round with 48% against Wambsganss and another Republican. The seat had been vacant since last summer's resignation of Republican Kelly Hancock, and the win adds to Democrats’ gains in state legislatures ahead of midterms amid Trump’s late push for Wambsganss.
Texas voters in Senate District 9 face a Saturday runoff between Democrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss; the result could indicate Democrats’ momentum in a red-leaning state, aided by fundraising disadvantages against the GOP but with high-profile endorsements and a short-term seat that ends with a full-term rematch in November.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico will debate for an hour at the Texas AFL-CIO convention in Georgetown—the first debate in Texas’ 2026 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate—as early voting begins Feb. 17. The matchup spotlighted Crockett’s turnout-focused approach and Talarico’s faith- and populism-driven messaging, with polls showing Crockett leading on name/brand among Black voters and Talarico gaining traction in others, underscoring a high-stakes contest before the March 3 primary.
An Emerson College poll shows James Talarico leading Jasmine Crockett 47%–38% in the Texas Senate Democratic primary, while Ken Paxton narrowly leads John Cornyn 27%–26% on the GOP side, with a likely May 26 runoff. Voters cite the economy as the top issue, and the survey highlights demographic splits in support across groups.
State Rep. James Talarico raised $6.2 million in three weeks for his Texas Senate bid, surpassing his rival Colin Allred's three-month total of $4.1 million, establishing him as a strong contender early in the race with broad grassroots support.
Texas Senate Democrats walked out in protest of a redistricting map that favors Republicans, which was passed by the Senate but faces challenges in the House and upcoming special sessions, highlighting ongoing partisan conflicts over electoral boundaries.
Texas State Senator Angela Paxton has filed for divorce from her husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton, citing biblical grounds after 38 years of marriage, amid ongoing political and personal controversies including Ken Paxton's impeachment trial and allegations of infidelity and abuse of office.
Texas State Senator Angela Paxton filed for divorce from her husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton, citing biblical grounds amid recent personal and political controversies, including Ken Paxton's impeachment trial and allegations of infidelity, which have attracted national political attention.
Retired NASA astronaut Terry Virts announced his run for the Texas Senate seat, criticizing both parties and emphasizing a need for new leadership, especially in opposition to Trump and the current Democratic establishment, positioning himself as a 'common sense Democrat' aiming to energize Texas Democrats for the 2026 elections.
Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut, announced his bid for the U.S. Senate in Texas as a Democrat, criticizing the Democratic establishment and highlighting his military and space background. He is the first Democrat to enter the race for the seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn, amid a potentially crowded primary field, with other Democrats considering runs. Virts also criticized Republican candidates and the current political landscape in Texas.
Molly Cook has narrowly defeated Jarvis Johnson in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas Senate District 15, securing her position to hold the seat previously occupied by Houston Mayor John Whitmire. Cook, an emergency room nurse and community organizer, is the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Texas Senate. Johnson has not conceded, citing outstanding mail-in and provisional ballots. Cook will face Republican Joseph L. Trahan in the November election, though the district is considered a safe Democratic seat.