Texas Tribune by María Méndez 3/18/2026
Voters will decide over 30 races, including a nationally watched battle between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton. The registration deadline is April 27, and early voting is May 18–22.
Candidates in more than 30 state and federal races are expected to face off again in the May 26 runoff after failing to secure more than half of the votes cast in the March Republican and Democratic primaries. This includes Attorney General Ken Paxton’s challenge to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, as well as several candidates for statewide or district-based elected offices in Texas.
In these undecided races, registered voters can choose their preferred candidate on May 26 or during the May 18-22 early voting period.
But remember, Texas doesn’t allow double dipping. Voters who already voted in the Republican or Democratic primary this year can only vote in that same party’s runoff elections. Voters who didn’t vote in March can choose to vote in either party’s runoff. (Texans don’t have to formally register with a party.)
Here’s what you need to know
• What’s on the ballot?
• What dates do I need to know?
• What do I need to know about voter registration requirements?
• What do I need to know about mail-in voting?
• What do I need to know about going to the polls?
• How can I make sure my ballot is counted?
What’s on the ballot?
Here are the statewide Republican runoffs:
• U.S. Senate: John Cornyn and Ken Paxton
• Texas attorney general: Mayes Middleton and Chip Roy
• Texas Railroad Commission: Jim Wright and Bo French
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3: Alison Fox and Thomas Smith
Here are the statewide Democratic runoffs:
• Lieutenant governor: Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Vélez
• Attorney general: Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski
There are also runoff races for various district representatives for Congress, the Texas House, the State Board of Education and a Republican primary for Texas Senate District 19 along the U.S.-Mexico border. While incumbents in state legislative races generally prevailed, multiple incumbents in Congress faced close races or runoffs.
The candidates who advance to the general election and are elected in November will have the opportunity to affect public policy and Texans’ lives in multiple areas, including education, health care and immigration.
More:
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/03/18/texas-primary-runoff-elections-2026/
