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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

5 takeaways from the first primaries of the 2026 midterms

Cornyn advanced to a runoff against Ken Paxton after falling short of a majority in the Republican Senate primary.

5 takeaways from the first primaries of the 2026 midterms
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284 stories · 85–86 · updated Oct 9, 2026

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NBC New Yorkvia NBC News
Mar 4, 2026
tl;dr

The first 2026 primaries produced a Texas Senate runoff, a projected Democratic Senate nominee and close House contests. The results also highlighted the influence of President Donald Trump’s endorsements and divisions over strategy and ideology within both parties.

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VOTING CLOSED
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John Cornyn R · TX · SEN
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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.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican incumbent in the Texas Senate primary runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican candidate in the Texas Senate primary runoff

Paxton's version of this story ↗

Democratic candidate in the Texas Senate primary

Talarico's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose endorsements and influence are examined in Republican primaries

Trump's version of this story ↗

Democratic candidate who lost the Texas Senate primary to James Talarico

Democratic representative in a close North Carolina House primary

Republican House candidate who won a primary with Trump's support

Analilia Mejia
D · NJ-11

Representative mentioned for winning a recent special Democratic House primary

Democratic representative leading in the Houston House primary

State representative and Republican House candidate in a runoff against Alexandra Mealer

Republican House candidate who won a primary with Trump's support

Republican House candidate who won a primary with Trump's support

Jeff Hurd
R · CO-3

Republican representative whose endorsement from Trump was withdrawn

Dan Crenshaw
R · TX-2

Republican representative who lost his primary to Steve Toth

Democratic House candidate and endorser of James Talarico

Nida Allam
D · NC

Democratic challenger in the North Carolina House primary

Al Green
D · TX-9

Democratic representative trailing in the Houston House primary

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Republican representative who left the Texas Senate primary race

Republican House candidate who won a primary with Trump's support

Republican House candidate heading to a runoff against Briscoe Cain

Republican House candidate who advanced to a runoff despite Trump's endorsement

Steve Toth
R · TX

State representative who defeated Dan Crenshaw in the Republican primary

ALSO MENTIONED  Lyndon B. Johnson, Former president and former Texas senator cited as a historical comparison

Part of a bigger story

2 OUTLETS
John Cornyn and Ken Paxton Advance to Texas Senate Runoff

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