Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texas’ highest criminal court
The all-Republican Court of Criminal Appeals has undergone extensive turnover since AG Ken Paxton began targeting incumbent judges.
Tom Sell, Jon Bonck win open GOP primary runoffs for solidly red congressional seats
With their Republican nominations in hand, the two are favored to win their GOP-leaning seats in November to replace outgoing Reps. Jodey Arrington and Wesley Hunt.
Mayes Middleton defeats Chip Roy for Texas attorney general GOP nomination
Middleton, a conservative state senator and oil and gas executive, put more than $16 million of his own money into the race.
Democrat Johnny Garcia to face Republican Carlos De La Cruz for redrawn Texas district
The boundaries of the 35th Congressional District in South Central Texas were redrawn in 2025 to favor GOP candidates as requested by President Trump.
Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn for U.S. Senate GOP nomination
The attorney general’s victory is a crushing blow to the Texas GOP’s old guard, which has faltered in recent years against the Paxton-led insurgent wing.
Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas Democrats
Johnson succeeded Allred in Congress, but Republican redistricting pushed them into an unusual primary confrontation for the 33rd Congressional District.
Vikki Goodwin defeats Houston union leader in lieutenant governor Democratic runoff
The Austin lawmaker now faces an uphill battle against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the state’s second-highest executive, in November.
Ex-NFL linebacker poised to return to Congress after Texas runoff win with Jasmine Crockett endorsement
Former Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, is poised to secure a comeback bid for Congress after winning a hotly contested Democratic primary Tuesday. Allred defeated Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Texas, in a runoff election for a recently redrawn House seat Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. The victor is almost certain to win the November general election for the deep-blue district. Republicans redrew the Dallas-based seat to make it even more Democratic last year while passing a new congressional map designed to help the GOP flip as many as five seats. The primary contest turned negative as both candidates fought to keep their political careers alive in one of the few remaining Texas House seats where Democrats still hold an advantage. REDISTRICTING HELPS REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS FLIP HOUSE SEATS Democratic Texas Rep. Marc Veasey, the district’s incumbent, chose not to run for re-election, prompting Johnson to join the race after Republicans effectively drew her out of her district. Johnson, a freshman lawmaker, succeeded Allred in Congress after he vacated the seat to mount a failed bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2024. Allred decided to challenge Johnson for the open House seat in late 2025 after suspending his 2026 Senate campaign when it failed to gain traction. The former NFL linebacker later endorsed Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, during the final months of the Senate primary contest after accusing state Rep. James Talarico, Crockett’s opponent, of making a racist remark about him that he allegedly said during a private phone call with a party activist. Talarico, the Democratic Party’s Senate nominee, vigorously denied calling Allred a “mediocre Black man” and said his private remarks referred to the former congressman’s campaign style. TEXAS DEM SENATE CANDIDATE’S ‘MEDIOCRE’ COMMENT ROCKS RACE Crockett endorsed Allred in April and appeared with him on the campaign trail. Meanwhile, Talarico publicly supported Johnson’s campaign. Johnson was also backed by House Democratic leadership, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the pro-abortion group EMILY’s List and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among other groups. Allred likely benefited from higher name recognition due to previous statewide runs and a significant fundraising advantage. He emerged as the top vote-getter during the March 3 primary, leading Johnson by an 11-point margin. However, the former congressman failed to secure more than 50% of the vote, sending the race to a runoff election.
Trump-backed Air Force veteran wins GOP runoff in newly-redistricted House district
President Donald Trump’s endorsed House Republican candidate for Texas’ 35th Congressional District is projected to win his race against longtime San Antonio state lawmaker John Lujan. Carlos de la Cruz, an Air Force veteran, is the brother of Trump ally Rep. Monica de la Cruz, R-Texas, in a nearby district. The de la Cruzes could be the next in a rare historical line of siblings serving together in the House of Representatives. One of America’s first congressional leaders served with his brother as well. Inaugural House Speaker Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania served alongside Rep. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania in the 1780s and 1790s. HOUSE CANDIDATE PREDICTS HISTORIC RISE OF ‘NEW GENERATION’ IN CONGRESS AS PARTIES TARGET KEY DEMOGRAPHIC The three Washburn brothers — Israel of Maine, Elihu of Illinois and Cadwallader of Wisconsin — all served together in the 1850s and 1860s, while more recently sisters Loretta and Linda Sanchez — both California Democrats — found themselves in the same chamber in the early part of this century. De La Cruz and Lujan are competing for the newly redrawn district, which is currently represented numerically by “Squad” member Rep. Gregorio Casar of the Austin area. Casar, however, chose to run in an adjacent district that encompasses part of his current district after that officeholder, fellow Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett, elected not to run for re-election contingent on Texas’ new map passing legal muster. The new district stretches south to San Antonio and is considered much more Trump-friendly than in past elections. Lujan originally won the March primary 33%-27% over De La Cruz, who finished second and advanced to Tuesday’s contest. De La Cruz was deployed to the Middle East and Mexican border, and also has the endorsement of both his sister and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. WATCH: HOUSE DEMS UNLOAD ON TEXAS DEMOCRAT OVER ‘DEMENTED’ ANTISEMITIC COMMENTS Lujan is a longtime state lawmaker with deep familiarity in the district, while the real controversy is on the Democratic side of the ticket. Democratic primary candidate Maureen Galindo, who lost Tuesday night, received nationwide backlash, including from her own party, for floating the idea of using an ICE detention center in her district to instead imprison wealthy “Zionists.” The rhetoric and plans were called out as grossly antisemitic by Democrats ranging from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the far left to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both Democrats from New York City. Democrats are still reportedly bullish on their prospects in the more Trump-friendly seat, which is also majority Hispanic, come November.
Controversial Democrat who called for ‘Zionists’ to be imprisoned toppled after backlash
Democrat Maureen Galindo, a South Texas sex therapist who drew nationwide ire from Democratic Party leaders, was defeated in her primary runoff against Bexar County Sheriff’s Office official Johnny Garcia, according to the Associated Press. The seat, newly drawn following Texas Republicans’ redistricting effort, is currently represented by “Squad” member Rep. Gregorio Casar. However, the liberal lawmaker is running in an adjacent district being vacated by Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, leaving the now red-leaning seat up for grabs. Galindo became a national flashpoint when she was accused of antisemitism for floating a plan to imprison “American Zionists” at an ICE detention center in the district while pushing back on suggestions she was trying to create an “internment camp.” Galindo shocked observers when she edged out Garcia in the original March primary, which led to Tuesday’s runoff. WATCH: HOUSE DEMS UNLOAD ON TEXAS DEMOCRAT OVER ‘DEMENTED’ ANTISEMITIC COMMENTS Garcia, meanwhile, condemned Galindo’s comments and partially blamed Republicans for bolstering her name recognition. Garcia is a San Antonio native and has experience working as a police deputy, a SWAT hostage negotiator and a public information officer — the official tasked with speaking to the press and making public appearances. His campaign was framed around his self-description as an old-school Democrat and was viewed as the more moderate choice in Tuesday’s contest. Two Republicans are also vying for the seat in the Republican primary — one of whom is a relative of nearby GOP Rep. Monica de la Cruz. BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN TELLS TEXAS DEMOCRAT TO ‘BRING IT’ AFTER HER CHILLING THREAT TO JAIL ICE AGENTS With the 35th District redrawn in Republicans’ favor, Democrats appeared to view Galindo’s candidacy as a catastrophic liability. Her rhetoric has since been condemned by members of the far left of her party, including Reps. Hakeem Jeffries and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. “This vile language by her is disqualifying and has no place in American politics, and certainly not in the Democratic Party,” Jeffries and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a joint statement, adding, “To embrace and uplift a fringe candidate with antisemitic — and extremely dangerous — rhetoric and views in order to win an election is beyond the pale.” “Texans will not be fooled and will reject her at the ballot box next week,” they added. Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.