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Will the Texas primary run-off give Democrats a chance to flip the state?

Talarico is the Democratic nominee and is shown as competitive with both potential Republican opponents.

Will the Texas primary run-off give Democrats a chance to flip the state?
Image · Al Jazeera

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Outlet credibilityAl Jazeera80/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
May 24, 2026
tl;dr

Texas voters are set to choose between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn in a Republican Senate primary runoff, with the winner facing Democrat James Talarico in November. The article examines polling and Republican concerns that Paxton could make the race more competitive.

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No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Talarico in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Talarico’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Democratic Senate candidate who will face the runoff winner

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate in the Texas runoff

Paxton's version of this story ↗
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican incumbent senator and Senate candidate in the Texas runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Texas representative who lost the Democratic Senate primary to Talarico

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton and whose agenda is discussed

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader reportedly lobbying for Cornyn’s endorsement

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator cited as a comparison for a defeated incumbent

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator cited in accounts of recent competitive Senate races

Beto O'Rourke
Former U.S. Representative (D-TX)

Former Texas Senate candidate cited in a comparison with the 2018 race

Colin Z. Allred
Former U.S. Representative (D-TX)

Texas House candidate who lost to Cruz in 2024

ALSO MENTIONED  Elizabeth MacDonough, Senate parliamentarian whose ruling is discussed as political background; Matt Shaheen, Texas state representative who criticized Paxton’s general-election prospects

Part of a bigger story

2 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton and John Cornyn Compete in Texas Senate Republican Runoff
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AVG CRED
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