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Texas and North Carolina elections: 8 big questions on the first primary day of 2026

The article discusses his contest with Ken Paxton, including the possibility of a runoff and a Trump endorsement.

Texas and North Carolina elections: 8 big questions on the first primary day of 2026
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Outlet credibilityCNN84/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

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CNN
Mar 2, 2026
tl;dr

A preview of the first 2026 primaries highlights competitive Senate contests in Texas and North Carolina, alongside closely watched House races. It examines how Tuesday’s results could shape runoffs, endorsements and party prospects in November.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
John Cornyn R · TX · SEN
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

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People in this story

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John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Senator and Republican Senate candidate in Texas

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic Senate candidate in Texas

Crockett's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate in Texas

Talarico's version of this story ↗
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate in Texas

Paxton's version of this story ↗

Republican House candidate challenging Tony Gonzales

Asa Buck
R · NC

Sheriff and Republican House candidate in North Carolina

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose endorsements figure in several primary contests

Republican Senate candidate in North Carolina

Republican Senate candidate in North Carolina

Republican House candidate challenging Donald Davis

Dan Crenshaw
R · TX-2

Representative facing a Republican primary challenge in Texas

State senator and Republican House candidate in North Carolina

Tony Gonzales
Former U.S. Representative (R-TX)

Representative facing a Republican primary challenge in Texas

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Representative and Republican Senate candidate in Texas

Roy Cooper
D · NC

Democratic Senate candidate in North Carolina

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Senator who endorsed and recorded an ad for Steve Toth

Representative whose North Carolina district is a Republican target

Don Brown
R · NC

Republican Senate candidate in North Carolina

Steve Toth
R · TX

State representative and Republican House candidate challenging Dan Crenshaw

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
John Cornyn Seeks Reelection in Texas Republican Primary

Coverage concerns John Cornyn’s bid for the Republican Senate nomination in Texas against Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt; articles describe a competitive contest and the possibility of a runoff. Left-leaning outlets emphasize how the eventual nominee could affect Democrats’ general-election chances. Center outlets place the contest in a wider context of candidate positioning, campaign spending, party divisions and election stakes. Right-leaning outlets focus on polling that suggests Paxton and Cornyn could face a runoff, including Hunt’s standing in that survey.

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