Texas Primaries Jolt GOP as Democrats Outvote Republicans for First Time Since 2002
Texas’ 2026 primaries delivered a surprise: more Democrats voted than Republicans in the state’s first major midterm election test.
The turnout imbalance is raising new questions about whether November’s general election could be more competitive than expected in a state long dominated by Republicans.
Nearly 4.5 million Texans voted in the March primaries, with about 2.3 million ballots cast in Democratic contests, according to election data cited by analysts and state reporting.
That surge helped State Rep. James Talarico secure the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, defeating Rep. Jasmine Crockett with just over half the vote.
Republicans, meanwhile, remain locked in a divisive primary fight, with Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton heading to a runoff on May 26 after neither candidate reached the required majority.
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Voting complications added another layer of uncertainty after confusion at polling locations in Dallas and Williamson counties, where court rulings over extended voting hours left some ballots temporarily segregated from the initial count.
CNN data analyst Harry Enten described the Democratic turnout surge as “tremendous.”
Political strategists say turnout gaps in primaries can sometimes preview general election momentum, especially in midterm cycles where control of Congress often hinges on voter enthusiasm.
The Democratic surge could reflect organizing energy around the Senate race, while Republican turnout may increase once the GOP runoff determines a nominee.
The next test comes in late May when Texas Republicans choose their candidate — setting up a November matchup that could reveal whether the primary surge translates into a broader electoral shift.
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